Artists Abbie Sunter and James Pettinger will officially launch WEDGE Ceramic Workshop, based at Perkin Yard on Mansfield Road, with an open day on Saturday, September 5.
The new workshop has been created to support experienced ceramic artists and serious hobbyists while also giving complete beginners the chance to try working with clay.
Abbie and James first met while working for internationally renowned Derbyshire artist Paul Cummins on Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red – the installation of 888,246 ceramic poppies which filled the Tower of London moat in 2014.
Since then, both have continued to develop their own artistic practices.
James now works as a ceramics instructor at De Montfort University, while Abbie has developed her own studio practice and completed a Master’s degree in Art at the University of Derby.
Now the pair are putting their experience into creating what they hope will become a genuine ceramics community for Derby and Derbyshire.
WEDGE will offer everything from one-off introductory sessions and weekly throwing and sculpture classes to intensive courses and longer-term studio memberships for established ceramic artists and keen hobbyists.
The purpose-built space includes seven pottery wheels, a slab roller and three professional kilns, with separate working areas for sculpture and pottery throwing.
Abbie, founder of WEDGE Ceramic Workshop, said: “We’ve made a real effort to have a range of high-quality equipment, including a slab roller, seven pottery wheels and three professional kilns, all in separate working areas to create a space both for sculpture and throwing.
“We’ve essentially tried to make the space we wish we’d been able to access when we first started making ceramics more seriously.
“After leaving university the first time, I found it really difficult to continue with a meaningful ceramics practice.
“I could no longer access the facilities I’d got used to at university and, although I was working full-time, I was also renting, so I couldn’t afford to just splash out thousands of pounds on a kiln and stick it in my rented digs.
“In the last five years we’ve seen a huge uptick in people wanting to pursue creative careers and hobbies but hardly anywhere to take them up.
“Unless you sign up to repeat college courses or can afford to shell out thousands on equipment and space, it’s really hard to get started, never mind continue a creative practice.”
As well as regular classes, WEDGE plans to host sessions for local groups and seasonal events, including Halloween and Christmas workshops.
More intensive courses covering a range of ceramic skills are also planned, while experienced makers will be able to use the workshop's facilities and specialist resources.
Joint founder James has many years of experience teaching ceramics in colleges and universities, with expertise including glazes, clay bodies and different firing techniques.
He said: “At WEDGE, we want to create a calm but inspiring and supportive community, a place where anyone can come and work on their own ideas at their pace.
“Our aim is to provide the resources needed for artists and creative people from all over Derbyshire to make things for themselves.
“That’s what WEDGE is all about – it’s a place made by makers, for makers.”
WEDGE Ceramic Workshop open day
Ahead of its official opening, WEDGE will welcome visitors to explore the new studio on Saturday, September 5, from 12pm to 4pm.
James will run free ‘have a go’ throwing sessions on the pottery wheels throughout the afternoon.
Visitors will also be invited to contribute to a special Celebration Pot, creating a collaborative sculpted memory of WEDGE’s opening day.
Abbie will be on hand to show people around the studio and answer questions about classes, memberships and getting involved with the workshop.