ClayCraft #50

Welcome I speak to Jacqui Atkin, the mastermind behind our projects, nearly every day – often, several times a day – and 99% of the time, it’s via a video call. My husband and I have always worked from home, and we’re used to being in separate offices, only coming together at lunchtime and the end of the day. Since lockdown, my calls with Jacqui have often been the only communication I have with anyone outside the house for weeks on end, and they’ve provided me with welcome (and necessary) bouts of human interaction. I’m sure that many of you have been in a similar position during lockdown, and, for me, apart from now being able to see family, the most exciting part of the restrictions being lifted is being…

I speak to Jacqui Atkin, the mastermind behind our projects, nearly every day – often, several times a day – and 99% of the time, it’s via a video call. My husband and I have always worked from home, and we’re used to being in separate offices, only coming together at lunchtime and the end of the day. Since lockdown, my calls with Jacqui have often been the only communication I have with anyone outside the house for weeks on end, and they’ve provided me with welcome (and necessary) bouts of human interaction. I’m sure that many of you have been in a similar position during lockdown, and, for me, apart from now being able to see family, the most exciting part of the restrictions being lifted is being able to…

IN THE NEWS THE CLAYCRAFT CHALLENGE The third round of entries is here, and once again, we've been very impressed by the submissions. This month's winner is Gloria from FabHappy. Congratulations Gloria! The judges were very impressed with the delicacy and quality of the whole build and Gloria's attention to detail. She also sent a series of photos documenting the process, which you can see on our website. Gloria said: I've never made anything so big (30cm), so this was a real challenge. But I really enjoy slab building and have a fair deal of DIY experience which stood me in good stead (eg making mitred edges and calculating angles). The inspiration for my building was the Great Hall (ruins of) at Nymans' Gardens, a National Trust estate in Sussex.…

YORK ART GALLERY RECEIVES SIGNIFICANT DONATION More than 40 ceramic works, many of international significance, have been acquired by York Art Gallery's Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA). The ceramics, which date from the 1970s to the 2000s, were part of a larger selection of ceramics and fine art belonging to the late American collector Patricia Barnes. Working with the Barnes' family, the Contemporary Art Society has helped place some of the work into appropriate collections in the UK, where the collector spent part of her life. The collection includes significant works from the period by artists such as Carol McNichol, Alison Britton and Quentin Bell, many previously not represented in CoCA's collection. Dr Helen Walsh, curator of ceramics, said: "This group of remarkable objects off ers the opportunity to showcase…

The third round of entries is here, and once again, we've been very impressed by the submissions. This month's winner is Gloria from FabHappy. Congratulations Gloria! The judges were very impressed with the delicacy and quality of the whole build and Gloria's attention to detail. She also sent a series of photos documenting the process, which you can see on our website. Gloria said: I've never made anything so big (30cm), so this was a real challenge. But I really enjoy slab building and have a fair deal of DIY experience which stood me in good stead (eg making mitred edges and calculating angles). The inspiration for my building was the Great Hall (ruins of) at Nymans' Gardens, a National Trust estate in Sussex. Highly commended was this delightful water-mill, sent in by…

EVENTS POP-UP 2 POTTERY Sunday 22 August from 10am to 4pm, 20 stalls in an open-air market. Featuring a variety of ceramic artists, from famous names to beginners. Held at Fox Valley Retail Park, Stocksbridge, South Yorkshire S36 2AB. Free entry and plenty of parking! For more information contact Graham Northing senpacoordinator@outlook.com SHEFFIELD CERAMIC FESTIVAL Kelham Island Industrial Museum Alma Street, Sheffield 24-25 July 2021 Forty stalls of local ceramic artists in the beautiful industrial museum. More information from Graham Northing senpacoordinator@outlook.com HARROW OPEN STUDIOS 2021 June and July 2021 with features online throughout the year. A group of 50 independent and diverse artists have come together to make up Harrow Open Studios. Their focus is on making art more accessible by inviting the public to visit their studios. This…