pottery bee made by ceramic artist jon williams on a metal spike in a flower boarder at sculpture at kingham lodge exhibition

pottery bee made by ceramic artist jon williams on a metal spike in a flower boarder at sculpture at kingham lodge exhibitiondangly pottery flower brick made by potter sarah monk hanging from a tree on a short piece of natural rope at sculpture at kingham lodge exhibition.As from today, our very own Jon Williams and Sarah Monk are exhibiting some of their own ceramic work at Sculpture at Kingham Lodge in the Cotswolds.

The biennial show is set in 5 acres of beautiful grounds with over 400 sculptures created by national and international artists. A percentage of sales are fed back into the local community via generous grants to schools, enabling them to purchase art materials, training and artists to work in school. They also support other charities and since the first show in 2012, have raised over £400, 000 for good causes.

Jon’s displaying a range of his one off garden bees and butterflies, mounted on metal stakes and designed to fly amongst herbaceous boarders and flower beds. Sarah has taken to the trees with her dangly flower bricks suspended from the branches of a cherry tree.

The Exhibition runs 20 – 29 May 2023 and we definitely recommend! Admission is FREE, but you will need to book your visit.

 

terracotta bottles post firing painted and glazed

green white and blue decorated bottles from numbers 1 to 8

These fabulous door numbers were commissioned by Three Choirs Vineyards, for their Deluxe Vineyard View holiday accommodation.

Jon and Sarah combined their creative talents on this one – a collaboration of skill and style.

thrown terracotta bottles lined up and drying in pottery studio

painting brush applying white slip to a hand thrown terracotta bottle

hand thrown terracotta bottles painted with white slip on table

terracotta bottle cut in half being held

inside the halved terracotta bottle

terracotta painted bottles in the kiln before firing with numbers 4, 5 and 6 on them

terracotta bottles post firing painted and glazed inside the kiln

leaning tower of pisa pot painted

Meet Katie Glover new apprentice

We’re as pleased as punch to welcome Katie to the team. Hurrah!

Katie’s our new and talented Junior Content Producer Apprentice and is being trained in collaboration with Creative Alliance in Birmingham. One of her first tasks here at the Pottery was to write an introduction for our website:

“After completing my BA Hons in Textile Design in 2020 at Falmouth University, I wasn’t sure not what to do next. With months of uncertainty, I was offered an apprenticeship as a Junior Content Producer with Eastnor Pottery. I’d completed a week of work experience at the Pottery in the summer of 2019. I remembered my time being filled with potting skills, beautiful scenery, camaraderie and lots of laughter. How could I turn down a chance to work with Jon and Sarah again!?

Illustration is at the heart of my practice. During lockdown I have set up in business as a freelance designer. I have an Etsy shop selling a range of products including, amongst other things, cards, prints and stickers. My role as Junior Content Producer involves promoting fabulous courses and classes the Pottery offers. I’ll be getting to grips with their social media and promotional material, capturing the customers experience.

After the apprenticeship, I will have the confidence and skills to further pursue my career in the arts. Although illustration will always play apart, working as a junior content producer will provide me with a variety of new tools and skills. I am sure my time at the Pottery will be a fantastic learning experience and tremendous fun!

Below are some examples of my work including some pots I made during my work experience at the Pottery in 2019.”

Pot illustrated painted with seals and waterSelection of small animal and drinks themed cardsleaning tower of pisa pot paintedleaning tower of pisa pot written text wonky potselection of prints cats and dogs framed and unframed

clay handmade campervan painted green on grass with flowers in the background

sarah monk ceramics including egg cups lemon squeezers and soap dishes

sarah monk ceramics including egg cups lemon squeezers and soap dishes

Sarah is super thrilled to be taking part in the Digital Craft Festival 26th  – 28th March 2021.

The online international event aims to promote the very best contemporary makers through an exciting program of talks demos and films. Visitors will also have the opportunity to buy direct from 150 selected artists working in all kinds of materials.

This is the first time she’s taken part:

“I’ve enjoyed this event lots in the past….. it’s so lovely! A fun filled weekend of craft demonstrations, interviews and workshops on InstagramFacebook and zoom.  The Digital Craft Festival is an opportunity I would ordinarily have to pass on, what with the 3.5k class participants that pass through the doors each year at Eastnor Pottery. As the Studio is currently closed to visitors I have had more time to focus on my own work. I’m launching lots of new designs in my shop especially for the event!”

As well as selling from her online shop, Sarah will be running a ‘make along’ zoom class.

“I will show you step by step how to make your own clay bug house and you can make along with me! No previous pottery experience is required. The pottery techniques I will be sharing with you are slab building and sgraffito decoration. Once you have made your wonderful clay house, leave it to air-dry at home.”

If you’d like to take part in the class you’ll need to purchase a ticket from her website.

 

pottery flying bug made by potter and artist jon williams

a ceramic flying bug made by herefordshire artist jon williams

Jon has a collection of bee and bug shakers for sale at Contemporary Ceramics in London

The gallery is the shop window for the Craft Potters Association of Great Britain (CPA) and exhibits the greatest collectible names in British ceramics alongside the most up and coming artists of today.

Although Jon’s been a professional member of the CPA ever since the start of his career as a maker, this is the first time he’s exhibited in their bi-monthly Rotation programme.

Although the gallery is currently closed during Lockdown, they have developed an amazing and comprehensive online shop featuring the work of 80 makers for sale at any one time.

Check it out!

Amazing photos by @beyondthebeatenpath

 

a details of a bee shaker by ceramic artist jon williamsbee and bug shakers by studio potter jon williamspottery flying bug made by potter and artist jon williams