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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.

 

herefordshire potter sarah monk hanging her ceramic bug houses at hellens garden festival

Hellens Garden Festival Sculpture Trail – Much Marcle Herefordshire

Eastnor Pottery founders Sarah Monk and Jon Williams currently have some of their own work on show at Hellens Garden Festival Sculpture Trail in Herefordshire.

herefordshire potter sarah monk hanging her ceramic bug houses at hellens garden festival

Sarah is exhibiting a terrace of ‘Bug Houses’ hanging from a particularly striking beech tree in the enchanted wooded gardens. In a career spanning 30 years, this is the first time Sarah has exhibited her work outside in the natural environment. Most of her output is intended to be enjoyed in the home but judging by the positive response to her critter homes, she’ll be making more ceramics designed for the garden. For more details of Sarah’s work please check out her website: www.sarahmonkceramics.co.uk

herefordshire ceramic artist jon williams hanging his percusive ceramic disks at hellens garden festival in herefordshire

Jon has a collection of interactive ‘Ceramic Cymbals’ hanging in the undergrowth. Visitors are invited to scour the woodland for a suitable stick (no branches or hefty timber!) and then ‘gently’ tap out a rhythm on the suspended art works. Jon’s work is designed to be enjoyed using all the senses and he is no stranger to exhibiting his multi-sensory wares at sculpture shows and in exterior settings. Please take a look at www.jonwilliamspottery.co.uk for more details of his work.

The exhibition is open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays 10am – 6pm and runs until the end of September 2020. Entrance is FREE with donations going to St Michaels Hospice and Back To The Wild CIC.

bug houses by herefordshire slipware potter sarah monk at hellens garden festival 2020

musical pottery by herefordshire maker jon williams at hellens sculpture trail 2020

textile artist katie glover degree show pieces 2020

This time last year we were entering a phase of extreme busyness with classes, workshops and pottery events taking place not only here at the Pottery but out in the wider community. Eastnor Pottery and the Flying Potter could be found in two or three different venues across the West Midlands, all on the same day.

To fulfill the seasonal demand, we employed a select team of undergraduate and casual workers to help share the clay love.

Say hello to Katie!

textile artist katie glover degree show pieces 2020

Katie worked for us last Summer having completed a week of work experience with us in the Spring. At the time, she was a 2nd year student on a BA Hons Textiles course in Falmouth. Katie has now graduated with a 2:1! Well done Katie :) What with her creativity and positive attitude, she has an exciting future ahead of her.

All the photos featured are from her final ‘degree show’ project.

“For part of my final project in third year I took a humorous approach to the classic British holiday, delving in to the weird yet wonderful world of British culture and how it translates abroad. producing a wide variety of works to accompany this intriguing topic ranging from jacquard weaving, illustration, graphic art and embroidery. As a graduate, I hope to expand my digital business and become a key part of the ever growing graphic industry.”

textile art by katie glover

textile art by katie glover

This is what she had to say about working at Eastnor Pottery.

“Upon my first day I was welcomed with open arms and delved in to many different learning experiences from customer service, postage and packaging, glazing, throwing pots and not forgetting many teas and coffees! The pottery is beautiful setting inspiring creativity and positive environment for all the activities they offer. Jon and Sarah’s enthusiasm and support helped me to become more confident in the world of work and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience! I am truly grateful for the opportunity they gave me to be a small part of their wonderful business and everything I learnt whilst working there.”

 

interactive ceramic fish designed for water play by artist jon williams

Jon’s been busy making new work for an exhibition entitled ‘Making Histories’ scheduled to have opened 20 March 2020 at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum.

He was one of seven contemporary ceramic artists from the across the Midlands, invited to respond to the Museum’s diverse collection of ceramics. All commissioned artists were to exhibit new work alongside some of the historical objects which inspired them. Then COVID-19 hit!

Needless to say, the Gallery closed and the exhibition cancelled, not before the exhibitions team had spent weeks installing the show.

Undeterred, the team at Leamington have been working incredibly hard to make the exhibition available online. And here it is! – a video complete with commentary by exhibitions curator Lily Crowther.

Earthenware bugs by ceramic artist Jon Williams

It’s that time of the year again when artists and makers all over Herefordshire throw open their doors, inviting the general public into their studio and homes.

Herefordshire Art Week (HArt) runs 8th-16th of September, with open studios and events all over the county – just keep your eye out for the pink signs!

As part of HArt activities, Jon will be showing a collection of new work at Canwood Gallery in an group exhibition called ‘Canwood – An Art Showcase.’

The Gallery will be donating all commission from sales to St Michael’s Hospice