LOTS GOING ON!
Hi, I hope you’re well.
Hello to Autumn.
Spoons with a story from Mark Harold, Ceramics by Abbie Gardiner and Abigail North
My commute across the moor is becoming leaf strewn and slightly more treacherous as the highland cattle and ponies become camouflaged in the browning bracken.
This new season brings with it reflections of studio progress so far and exciting plans for the future.
What an epic year it’s been; refurbishing the building, kitting it out, starting a programme of workshops and classes and welcoming temporary members. Open days, ‘Open Sheds’, ‘Craft Festival’, ‘Devon Open Studios’ and the Westcountry Potters ‘Clay Fest’ have all been and gone.
The gallery/shop is now stocked with amazingly crafted work from wonderful artists. Visitors are enjoying popping upstairs to see the studio in action & many students, young and old, have experienced working in the light and calm space.
Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without you!
Feedback has been fantastic – this week a happy student made me quite emotional! It hasn’t been the best time to invest in a small business but although challenging, I’m so glad that I have.
Behind the scenes work has included making up eleven different transparent glazes to test (which are just out of the kiln) and collecting a huge 200L kiln from Mevagissy that is now waiting for Phase 3 electrical installation.
This week’s big news is that two Neolithic 2900 -2500 BC partially restored vessels were kindly brought into the studio for students to see. They are beautiful, functional, coil-built bowls which still convey part of the soul of the maker. It’s incredible to trace the finger decoration as though there’s no time-lapse between the 4000 years. Lucky us and thank you to Dieuwke.
Neolithic pot detail 2500 BC
In other news, the winner of the porcelain hanging decoration workshop could not take up the place so the runner up has just been emailed. I hope monika will be free!
Penny Simpson who was here for 27 years is currently celebrating 40 years of pottery with a joint exhibition with six of her apprentices who would also have worked in the studio. Do visit us both if you can.
It’s that time of year again and Gift Vouchers for the gallery or a clay experience are a great idea and help to support a small business too.
New sets of classes are booking up for Thursdays after half term – hand-building in the morning and throwing in the afternoon. Evening classes will return in the Spring as will tasters and workshops.
Upcoming workshops include Porcelain Christmas Hanging Decorations & the highly recommend Allie Sylvester’s Botanical Print Workshop for your Christmas Cards and Tags.
I’ll be running a Primary Enrichment Pottery Workshop for Exeter University (Yrs 5 & 6) on Saturday 11th November. Ten pupils will be learning how to throw on the wheel and make a festive plaque.
The website will be updated with further details of next year’s master-classes fairly soon and I’ll will drop you a line when booking goes live.
CURRENT SCHEDULE: BOOKING LINK
Allie Sylvester Leaf Prints
BOTANICAL PRINT WORKSHOP WITH ALLIE SYLVESTER 3 hrs £65
· 18th Nov 23 10am - 1pm
PORCELAIN CHRISTMAS HANGING DECORATION WORKSHOP 2 hrs £65.00
· Tues 31st Oct 10:30 – 12:30 (6 fired decorations included)
· Sat 14th Oct 10:30 – 12:30 (6 fired decorations included)
BESPOKE SESSIONS:
Email hello@vessel-ceramics.co.uk to enquire about bespoke / family / group sessions.
AUTUMN CLASSES:
5 Week Class Starts Thurs 2nd Nov 10am - 1pm £165
5 Week Throwing Class Starts Thurs 2nd Nov 2 - 5 pm £210
MASTERCLASS DATES FOR 2024: (Details to follow)
· Adrian Bates Masterclass 23-24 Mar '24
· Linda Bloomfield Special Effect Glaze Workshop 20-21 April '24
· Justine Allison Fine Porcelain Slab Masterclass 13-13 July ‘24
· Chris Keenan Porcelain Masterclass 9-11 Aug '24
· Sabine Nemet Altering Thrown Forms Masterclass 30th Aug-1st Sep '24
· Rev Jane Sheppard Hand-building Large 28-29 September ‘24
MEMBERSHIPS:
Three or six monthly Tuesday or Friday Hub Membership gives full studio access, one designated day a week. £365/£690
Full Hub Membership gives full studio access within studio opening hours (closed Sun, Mon & Tues am). One, three, six and twelve month memberships available. £220 - £2380
Maker in Residence Membership £3,970 Annually
Email hello@vessel-ceramics.co.uk to enquire about availability.
Wishing you a great month or two.
Best wishes,