Suzanne Wright

Suzanne lives in the Dales. She works from her studio at home as well as an open studio at Farfield Mill, Sedburgh, Cumbria.

“I have been working with clay since I was a young child. Over the years I have worked with many different clays, glazes and styles. It is in my nature to experiment and I love the technical side of kilns and firing. Clay brings great joy to my life and think it can do the same for most people. Currently, I am intrigued with the animals of the Dales. I am lucky enough to be able to see hares almost every day. They are secretive and majestic. I try to capture that in my work.”

Joseph Ludkin

Joseph Ludkin is a potter and ceramic artist who works from his studio, Croft Pottery in Rainton, near Ripon. Joe makes functional Pottery and Ceramic pieces that reflect the relationship between people, objects and place. His work is often a response to a particular location and often made using materials harvested from the surrounding area. He digs clays and silts for clay body mixes and slip decoration and combines them with ash from organic sources such as trees, shrubs and plants and rocks and minerals to make his glazes. Joe has exhibited widely and is currently represented by The Leach Pottery, Thrown Contemporary, Gallery 57, The Stratford Gallery and the Clay AKAR gallery.

​Joe also has 20 years teaching experience in Further, Higher and Adult education. He is a visiting tutor at the Crown Works Pottery in London and has previously taught at The Kiln Rooms and Goldsmiths College in London. He has established the Croft Pottery at his home in Rainton where he is producing home and table ware. In addition he also runs in depth pottery courses on throwing and hand building.

Tara Joy

Tara is an artist who lives and works in Ilkley casting flowers and foliage from the countryside.  She takes inspiration from the beautiful Yorkshire Moorland and its stunning surroundings.

She captures nature and all its detail in silver art clay creating nature inspired pieces of jewellery. Tara has also been making personalised handprint and fingerprint jewellery since 2010.

You do such a grand job – perfect location and set up, always welcoming, inspiring tutors and great food such a great day out thank you Gaynor, Sue and Vanessa

Claude Frere-Smith

Claude has been making pots for 40 years, training in East Anglia before setting-up his first pottery in North Wales. He was awarded an Advanced Training Award from the Crafts Council where he worked with David Leach and David Lloyd Jones. His work has been exhibited widely in the UK and has had work included in group shows in Europe. He enjoys making pots for use and exploring their sculptural qualities in his more individual pieces.

Claude can be seen at shows and exhibitions throughout the region demonstrating his craft and letting people have ago. If you’ve seen the queues he makes it ‘child’s-play’.

Tutor was fantastic, has a fun creative day in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Tutor made for a lovely day and was very helpful and friendly. I loved learning a new skill as well as the waffle berry pie!

Charlotte was very friendly and reassuring when ‘problems’ with the pieces occurred! The best thing was spending time with my daughter and having a day to play!

Fantastic day – lots of information given, friendly and willing to help and provide ideas. Enjoyed everything! Thw workshop was great, really enjoyable and the food was fantastic!

Enthusiastic teacher, passionate about her work, helps to get the student on the way. Enjoyed all of it, can’t single out anything in particular, loved it all – so much fun to try something new – time flew by!