Adopt a Potter Trust is a registered charity which was set up to help secure the future of studio pottery by funding apprenticeships, thus enabling students to work alongside a master potter. It is hoped that an apprentice will learn and develop some of the necessary skills required to establish their own career and business
In recent years a decline in ceramics education has been witnessed in the UK and the ceramic community is now facing a major crisis as the skills gap continues to grow. Adopt-a-Potter took action against this with the development of the Clay College initiative which is aimed at offering a skills-based, full-time ceramics course taught by potters who make a living through ceramics. The college is now in its 5th year and will be welcoming their 3rd intake of students in September 2022.
The emphasis is on core skills and the use of materials. Students are taught all aspects of design, throwing, glazing, kiln building and firing, alongside traditional hand building and decoration techniques. This is augmented by modules focusing on business and marketing which offers students the opportunity to become self-sufficient, develop their own business model to suit their work and be sufficiently skilled to join a workforce in production pottery.
Clay College Mission
- To teach practical pottery techniques to an international standard
- To develop highly-skilled, self-sufficient and diverse makers
- To augment and protect the renowned status of British studio ceramics
As a UK registered charity the Clay College is reliant on donations and grants to ensure the college can continue its mission. For further information on the Clay College and how you can support a great initiative pop along to the Adopt-a-Potter individual marquee (outside the Hans Coper Maquee) or visit www.claycollegestoke.co.uk
For further details on Adopt a Potter visit www.adoptapotter.org.uk