Stoke on Trent, is a famous city well known for its ceramics. Since the 1980's we have seen thousands of job losses, factories moving production overseas, heritage buildings and Bottle kilns demolished.
With the rebirth of ceramics in the last 10 years or so through support from organisations including the British Ceramics Biennial, Heritage schemes protecting historic buildings, the Great Pottery Throw Down, filmed at Middleport Pottery and Gladstone Pottery, ceramics as an art form and hobby is once again on the rise in the city.
Currently studying myself for a Masters in Ceramics at Staffordshire University, I also run my own independent ceramics studio teaching classes and workshops. Offering a hobby and form of relaxation, promoting good mental health and a good sense of community.
While studying part-time, I have been able to offer the opportunity for fellow cohorts to run their own classes and workshops within my studio, in turn offering more variety to my clients as well as small financial support to fellow students. As well as weekly clay classes I offer Life drawing sessions, monthly Network Meetings, one to one throwing tuition, and a space for local artists to run their own small workshops at an affordable rate.
DM Ceramics and Crafts is now in a position where I am looking to move into a bigger studio space which is situated near Middleport Pottery, opposite one of the Cities last standing Bottle Kilns at Longport. An old ceramics building, where I can expand the business and also offer affordable studio space to newly graduated artists.
In order to expand the business I require a larger kiln and a selection of ceramic equipment for slip casting and mould making. Artists renting spaces within the studio will require facilities and equipment to produce their own work for exhibitions, commission and at an affordable price.
My ceramic class sizes will expand and further themed Workshops and Throwing tuition will be added to the yearly calendar.