Pottery Hub
Resources & Approach
“The goal, which is to be both separate and connected, requires that one move inwardly in opposite directions. Towards self-definition and toward community. Toward ethical individualism and toward social justice. It is this fusing of the opposites that centering enables.”
We welcome amateurs, professionals, all genders, ages, ethnicity, physical ability and social background and we actively encourage the mix. The Hub is a place to connect with other potters, to share learning, knowledge and practical skills. It is also a place for quiet solo meditative practice.
The Hub provides a mix of regular group classes led by our expert teachers, we will also offer specific workshop sessions with our tutors and guest teachers, which are an excellent way to learn and grow in confidence. If you would like the flexibility of coming in your own time you can become a member, enjoying access to the pottery to experiment, practice, make, develop and fire work.
The Hub has been created as a centering point. For many years Coombe has been running residential courses for people to attend courses from all over the country and the world. The Hub enables us to connect with the community that surrounds us, centering it in the locality and in turn offering a place for the community to gather and centre themselves.
“You need to pay honest attention to what you’re doing.”
Tutors
We have two fantastic tutors who teach the regular Hub classes, Verran Townsend and Alys Brooker. You can read more about them here. We also have visiting tutors who teach on our residential courses including Laurel Keeley, Tim Andrews, Chris Taylor and Adam Frew. Their tutor profiles are here.
Technical Support
Technical support will be provided during classes and two afternoons per week for members. To read more about our Technician Apprentice Programme click here.
Space
The pottery at Coombe is split into two adjacent rooms on the ground floor of a larger studio building within the courtyard at Coombe. One room has 2 wheels and a large workbench for hand building. The second room houses our kiln, 3 more wheels and a dedicated glazing zone.
Equipment
5 wheels.
Top loading electric cylinder kiln, 17”h x 25” diameter.
Essential miscellaneous pottery tools including banding wheels, glaze mixer & pug mill.
Clay and Glazes
We use a small selection of clay suitable for both hand building and throwing. Clay can be purchased at cost price.
The pottery is stocked with a selection of stoneware glazes, slips and stains. here