We’re so looking forward to 2020! We’ve got lots of really exciting Evening Classes lined up for you guys, as well as our usual Fringe fun. Also on the horizon is a Kids’ After School Clay Club (we’re still working on the snappy name…) and of course our Gallery 31 space featuring local artists.
But before we look too far ahead, we wanted to highlight what we are most proud of in this past year.
We’ve taught hundreds, maybe even thousands, of people how to throw this year - we had to give up the count mid February! We even held Kids’ Throwing sessions in the holidays and gave budding potters a chance to try different clay forming techniques, too. We’ve had some really popular Evening Classes (we still can’t believe how keen everyone is to make a breakfast set - it’s fab!)
Our downstairs studio hosted scores of hen parties, children’s birthday parties, and team building activities. Late Night Painting sessions have been great as well, with many happy owners of beautiful Mandala plates as evidence. We made it onto the prestigious TripAdvisor Hall of Fame and, as if that weren’t enough, we celebrated our 20th Anniversary!
We have supported local charities and schools by providing raffle prizes and encouraged creativity for those that have challenging life conditions.
On a more individual level, each member of staff has made great strides in their creative and personal development. Gill fulfilled her lifelong dream to visit Australia 🐨and celebrated her 20th year at The Painting Pottery Cafe🇦🇺 Nathalie started an Art Foundation course, which she’s enjoying immensely 🎨 Fern has visited Illustration Fairs across the county, exhibiting her wonderful creations ✏️🖌️ Violet has had a residency onboard the ONCA barge, with her artists collective ⛵ Holly made a magnificent pot that’s a whopping 96cm tall 🏺 Jules achieved top marks in her first year of an MA in Classics 📚 Katie created beautiful children's books about adorable dogs for her final project of her MA 🐕 Alex launched her Etsy shop! 🛍️ Maya started teaching throwing lessons (and is clearly a gifted teacher) 👏🏽🌟 Olive completed a really exciting internship with ONCA 👩🏻🎨 and Sam made his way to Brighton, where he’s settling in nicely! 🌊
What are you most proud of this year? Perhaps it’s learning to throw, or painting a particularly beautiful piece of pottery! Let us know on Facebook or Instagram, we love to see your pics and hear your stories ☺️
For now though, we’ll wish you a very Happy New Year!
Here’s to 2020 being full of more proud moments! 🎆