Bringing the joy of ceramics into the community is central to my practice. My involvement with the Creative Cullompton project was a pivotal starting point, where I delivered a series of community pottery workshops including hand-building and seasonal clay sessions. The workshops booked out rapidly and generated an enthusiastic local response, creating welcoming and accessible spaces where participants could build confidence, creativity, and social connection through making. This experience revealed a clear appetite for high-quality, regular creative activity in Cullompton and became the catalyst for developing my community-focused ceramic practice.

Since then, I have established and delivered a growing programme of pottery workshops across Devon and Somerset, building a loyal and expanding audience through pop-up studios, community partnerships, and creative events. I am currently applying for Arts Council England funding to establish a permanent community pottery studio at the Walronds in Cullompton. This dedicated hand-building studio and shared kiln facility will transform my current mobile model into a long-term creative hub, providing consistent access to workshops, open studio sessions, and specialist ceramic equipment. The aim is to create an inclusive and welcoming space where people can return regularly, develop their skills, support their wellbeing, and become part of an ongoing creative community embedded within the cultural life of the town.

Community feedback has played an important role in shaping this project. Over 400 people completed the public consultation survey, demonstrating strong local support for accessible ceramic facilities and creative opportunities within Cullompton and the surrounding area. Responses highlighted the importance of affordable arts participation, inclusive creative spaces, shared kiln access, and opportunities that support wellbeing, confidence, and community connection. This feedback will help shape the future development of the studio and strengthen the Arts Council England application.