Final Exhibition Pieces

Although my exhibition opened a week ago, preparations were so hampered by the white stuff that it wasn't til today (Friday) that the final pieces were installed. I was particularly pleased with my musical pots, reduction fired to a fantastic metallic gray.

Evesham Nursery 2010

It's great to be working again with staff and children at Worcestershire's premier early year's setting. I left the wheel on the van for a change, encouraging the children to make coil pots at the table instead. Sian, (pictured left) made two superb coil pots before going freestyle! This fantastic piece started out as a 'crab' before metamorphosing into a 'spike worm'.

Back to Work...Finally

I finally got to deliver a workshop after all the snow cancellations of previous weeks - I spent a lovely afternoon with families at Ladywood Children's Centre. I've been working at the centre for just over a year now, and clay sessions are becoming increasingly popular. There's a hardcore of pottery addicts who never fail to turn up for a workshop!

Grimley Tile Panel

I love it when a tile panel comes together! Up until it's fired and glazed you don't get any indication of how the finished piece will look. We're well pleased with this example produced by all the children at Grimley Primary School, back in the Autumn term. Here, Gemma places the finished tiles onto the original cardboard template checking for any missing pieces.

Discovery Pots at The Courtyard

Although the exhibition is still incomplete (the weather set back installation by at least two weeks - fingers crossed for completion this Friday!) there are still plenty of exhibits to explore.

Guests at the Private View were able to discover little lumps of clay in the eighty or so brick clay vessels and create their very own exhibition exhibit.

The show runs until the 28th of February, open every day from 10am-10pm, admission free. The Hereford Times very kindly came out and made a short video. Google 'Hereford Times Jon Williams Discovery pots exhibition at the Courtyard' and you should be able to find it!

Shrink Wrapped Pots

Final preparations for my interactive extravaganza at the Courtyard Theatre included shrink wrapping six freshly thrown pots. The idea is for gallery visitors to prod and squash the pieces as they see fit. I really like the visual qualities of the wet clay covered in cling film - a whole gallery space filled with such works would be a real feast for hand and eye...hmmm!

Logistical Challenge

It wasn't the best of conditions for hauling huge tree trunks and heavy pots across Herefordshire, but the 12th of January heralded the installation of my exhibition 'Discovery Pots' at the Courtyard Theatre. Not only did we have to contend with the treacherous conditions under-foot, the lift at the Courtyard was out of action too! So we had to lug these whopping chunks of Sequoia up two flights of stairs to the gallery - beats going to the gym! Moira and Ian at the Courtyard were fab, and by 8pm, the majority of the exhibition was up.

The Private View is due to take place on Thursday 7-9pm, but whether the weather allows, we'll have to wait and see.

A Family Affair

A big thankyou to Emma and her family who trudged through thick snow for a wheel session at the studio. The intrepid bunch, made up of no less than three generations, forgo buying Christmas presents for each other choosing instead to all club together and book a family get-together activity, (a lovely idea indeed and one we might emulate in the future).

In the past it's been a trip to the West End to see a performance, this year it was clay fun at Eastnor Pottery!

Suckley Primary Staff Session

New headteacher Matt (pictured left), decided to bring his colleagues to Eastnor Pottery on the first day of term for some potter's wheel team bonding and training in clay techniques. The gang made it to the studio despite the hostile travelling conditions, and spent a rewarding three hours making stuff and catching up after the Christmas break.

Let it Snow...

This week I should have been delivering workshops in Birmingham on Tuesday, Badsey on Wednesday, and Coleford on Thursday, but in common with the majority of the U.K. we weren't going anywhere...




Here's a few photos of the beautiful effects of the dramatic temperatures and heavy snow.

Children's Easter Workshops 14 & 15 April 2010 - 'Smashing!'

Another fantastic themed opportunity for young potter enthusiasts to get their hands on real clay at a real pottery! This time we're modeling a clay, Faberge inspired, jewel encrusted decorative eggs and egg cups sculpture. Paint your creation there and then in all the colours of the rainbow, with our special ceramic paints. We will then fire and glaze your masterpiece for you to collect a few weeks later. One and a half hour sessions aimed at 4-8 years, and 9-12 years, at £14 per head - discounts for more than one place booked. Telephone 01531 633886, or e-mail admin@eastnorpottery.co.uk to book your place.

Children's 1/2 Term Workshop - 'Yummy Mummy' 17th & 18th Feb 2010

Come and make a plate full of clay treats for that number 0ne, very special lady person. Jon the Potter and his team will ensure your creations will be fired in time for Mother's Day, on the 14th of March. One and a half hour sessions begin at 11.30 am and 2pm, at £14 per head (discounts for more than one place booked). Telephone or e-mail booking is essential. Tel 01531 633886, or e-mail admin@eastnorpottery.co.uk to reserve your place.

Igloolites, Children's Workshop

A big thank you to all the families who braved the cold and ice to join us for our Children's workshops, in the Christmas holidays! We had intended to run just the one session to ease ourselves back into business after the Christmas break...In the event however, demand was such that we ended up running three sessions - all fully booked! Each participant made an 'Igloolite' tea-light candle lantern.

The next workshop sessions ' Yummy Mummy' take place in the February half term, and includes a go on the Potter's wheel. Please e-mail admin@eastnorpottery.co.uk or telephone 01531 633886 to reserve a place.

CTM Sponsorship

Gemma sieves no less than fifty coloured glazes, all generously donated by C.T.M Pottery Supplies based near Exeter. www.ctmpotterssupplies.co.uk I love the names of the glazes: Tigers Eye Satin, Reptilian Green, Rockpool Gloss, Coffee Bean Matt - yum yum! Depending on how the glaze effects look after the test firing, I'm going to apply them to some of the eighty interiors of my discovery pots. I'm cutting it a bit fine with these experiments...the exhibition has to be set up in just over a week's time!