It’s been a busy few months since a group of potters took over classes at the TCR Hub, in Barnard Castle. Reporter Nicky Carter went along to find out why an increasing number of people are signing up.
A POTTERY collective is celebrating a successful six months after picking up the gauntlet to run an established class.
The first term of the Teesdale Pottery Group, based at the TCR Hub, in Barnard Castle, came to a close this month and the co-operative running it couldn’t be happier.
“We ended in a blaze of glaze,” said Tabby Michelin, one of the potters who make up the co-operative which took on the class formerly run by artist Lyndsay Starborn.
When she retired earlier this year, the stalwart potter handed over the reins of the twice weekly classes to former students Ms Michelin, Abi Baker, Suzanne Thomas, Jill Collins and Sally Bingham.
Since then they have worked together to pass on the skills they had honed under Ms Starborn’s tutelage.
Ms Michelin, who picked up her pottery skills in Taiwan, said: “We’ve had lots of interest and a really great take up in all the classes.
“At first, I think people didn’t know what to expect with a new crew in charge.”
She added: “But we opened classes for next term and we have had to extend them from eight to ten weeks.
“There are 15 places for throwing and 45 places for hand building and I think there are only six spaces left on the hand building classes.”
The group is currently running five, ten-week courses during term time at the community studio at The Hub.
The new term begins again on Monday, January 15, from 1pm until 3pm.
Ms Michelin said: “We have a different approach to teaching the pottery because of our different backgrounds and it has gone down really well with existing customers and new ones as well.
“We have a very mindful approach to pottery and it is more ‘slow down’ than ‘throw down’.”
Skilled at throwing Ms Michelin and talented ceramicist Jill Collins concentrate on the pottery wheel while hand building is the domain of Abi Baker and Suzanne Thomas with Sally Bingham and Hilary Bishop supporting behind the scenes and in the studio.
Fellow Teesdale Pottery Group tutor Ms Thomas said: “At present Sally and Hilary’s roles are voluntary.
“ We are taking a crawl, walk and then run approach and are looking to the future.”
Ms Michelin added: “We have people saying they are not artistic when they first arrive, but they are and it is lovely walking around the studio when everyone is in, working around each other, seeing the creations they come up with.
“I have loved seeing the more experienced potters working with the newcomers, everyone is just keen to pass on their knowledge and experience.
“Given the interest we have had the future is looking very bright for next term.
“The Hub has been amazing with us and it is a multi-use space and we try and work alongside them.”
She added: “We are hoping to get another wheel and build our repertoire and look at introductory, short workshops as well.”
Teesdale Pottery Group meets in term time on both Mondays between 1pm and 3pm and Thursday between 3.30pm and 8pm.
For more information email teedalepotterygroup @gmail.com.
