Jon Williams at the NCW Blind College The Marvellous Creations from the New College Worcester with Eastnor Pottery

Jon had the privilage to work with students and staff at New College Worcester. 2015 marks the 150th anniversary of the Blind College and art teacher Nicky commissioned Jon to work with all the students to create a commemmorative wall panel celebrating life at the College. Each student made an individual tile in the shape of either a fruit or leaf, which when mounted on the wall will form a giant apple tree.

 

 

Pottery project with Herefordshire primary schoolAnother glorious early autumn day and another idyllic primary school  set in the depths of rural Herefordshire.

This time my travels took me to Michaelchurch Escley Primary School at the foot of the Brecon Beacons and close to the welsh boarder.

I’ve worked in the area on and off for the past ten years or so. It’s beautiful isolation has led to artists, writers and creative types settling in the area. Their offspring attend the local school, all 45 of them to learn in a relaxed and stimulating environment.

I’m always impressed at the quality of their artwork and the dexterity with which they work the clay, hardly surprising really, considering the children’s background and surroundings.

We spent the day making brightly coloured tiles for a new sign to welcome visitors at the entrance to the school.

Herefordshire Primary School moto made from clay as part of pottery project

 

 

Pottery students painting brilliant pots

These two mums of French origin were keen to try one of our dedicated potter’s wheel days but, due to the limitations of the school day, couldn’t commit to the full day experience.

Careful hands on the potter's wheel at Eastnor Pottery

Steady hands on the potter's wheel at Eastnor Pottery

We pride ourselves on our flexibility and, on this occasion were able to offer them x2 half day sessions to fit around dropping off and collecting their young children.

 

They made, turned and painted some mighty fine mugs and bowls – all under the expert tutelage of Ethan. I’m sure the ladies will be back to further develope their potter’s wheel skills and take advantage of our hourly rate we reserve for those who have completed our potter’s wheel workshops.

Great pots after one throwing session with Eastnor Pottery

If this is an arrangement that would suit your pottery aspirations – please contact the pottery and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

Tel: 01531633886

Or email us: admin@eastnorpottery.co.uk

Details of our full day and weekend sessions can be found here.

 

 

Clay model WW1 tile panel proposal designed by pupil at Almeley Primary SchoolI spotted a ‘Jon the Potter’ collaborative pot in amongst the sports trophies when I visited Almeley Primary School in rural Herefordshire. On closer inspection, the incised date on the base of the pot revealed the last time I was there was 2001. Things had changed quite a bit in the interim. The school had effectively tripled in size both in terms of building stock and student numbers. (There were only 20 or so children at the school in 2001)

This time around I spent an afternoon with the children canvassing their ideas for a World War One commemorative tile panel. All 70 children made valuable contributions in the form of sketches and maquetes made out of soft clay. I went away and designed a composite image based upon the children’s ideas and returned to the school to make the art work with them.

The tiles are curently drying in the kiln room but as soon as they emerge from the kiln I’ll put the panel together and publish a photo right here on the Eastnor Pottery website.

In the meantime, here are some photographs of the children’s sketches in clay.

Eastnor Pottery and the Flying Potter Ceramic Sound ProjectOnce again, Jon Williams (the flying potter) has been in the local news. The most recent article in the Hereford Times looked at Jon’s collaboration with three Hereford Museums to produce interactive ceramic artworks for visitors to discover and play.

Details of Jon’s creative journey can be found by visiting his blog.