Work by eight professional ceramic artists who completed diplomas at a specialist college in Stoke-on-Trent will have their work showcased in a new exhibition opening to the public later this month.
Clay College Stoke is hosting an exhibition of work by the class of 2019 to 2021 with the pieces available to purchase.
The college, based on the Middleport Pottery site, offers its diploma students an intensive and comprehensive curriculum providing the opportunity to become self-sufficient makers upon graduation and the group has gone on to work across Europe.
Galia Davies, manager of the college’s gallery, said: “Despite the challenges and disruption that the cohort faced due to the Covid pandemic, they have all gone on to great success, winning several prestigious accolades between them.
“The class of 2019 – 2021 have continued to refine the many skills they were taught at Clay College, and now return to share their work with our current students and visitors here in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent.
“The exhibition showcases a capsule collection of signature pieces from each of the alumni including work in porcelain, stoneware, red earthenware and low-fired slipware.
“From expressive painterly decoration to more traditional functional ware, the exhibition looks to showcase the characteristic styles that the graduates have been developing since leaving Clay College and beginning their journey to becoming master potters of the future.”
Featured artists include Natalia Kasprzycka who is based between Stoke-on-Trent and Norway, Jessica Mason who is originally from Devon but is currently located at Potclays, slipware potter Frances Savage and Birgit Pohl, who has gone on to set up her own teaching studio in London.
The free exhibition – held in the college’s gallery – runs from 16 August until 14 September.
It is open between 10am and 3pm Tuesday to Friday and between 11am and 3.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
