Page 30 - ClayCraft - Issue 35 (January 2020)

GLAZE SCIENCE

interesting to see how much excitement the benefit of all in ceramics in the UK.
this activity generated in the ceramic On this occasion just six makers took
community. The main observation from part, but it has posed the question, would
our point of view is that having thorough it be possible on a much larger scale? Is it
discussions in advance about materials something other potters would want to
required, format, length and content of the do?
event is key. The St Thomas performed The advantage of working at Potclays’
unexpectedly well, but with the benefit of HQ (as well as the support offered by
hindsight, as Mark said, crank would have Becky and James – the company directors)
been a better choice for work on this scale. was that the clay was readily available on
We’d be very pleased to be offered the site and as the work wasn’t going to be
opportunity to support similar initiatives fired they could reclaim it after the event.
in the future. We’ll happily support where There was also a purpose-built workspace
 Simon Shaw is predominantly a we feel the proposed project has value for with power and equipment, so
thrower, so hand-building, especially the pottery community as a whole, as well infrastructure costs were at a minimum. A
on this scale, was an exciting as Potclays.” larger event would require bigger
challenge.
premises with much higher infrastructure
experience, and I am confident that I shall The potters – working with Potclays costs, but the biggest problem is finding
now look at scaling up my work in my We can’t thank Potclays enough for giving enough potters who would fully commit to
own studio.” us this opportunity. The working space a future project.
was excellent, the clay provided more than Imagine 30 potters with five tonnes of
Becky Otter – response from Potclays generous, and their enthusiasm for the clay working on their own large hand-
“The ‘potters’ playtime’ was a great project inspirational. I feel that material building project on the same site for a few
experience for us. It was fascinating to see suppliers and makers collaborating in this days. How exciting would that be?
the work evolve over the course of the two way on projects is invaluable. We are a To express an interest and find out
days, and to witness how well the St partnership, mutually dependent, and any more, check out ‘Initiatives’ on
Thomas performed under duress. It’s way we can work together can only be to the potfest.co.uk website. 

30 ClayCraft Issue 35