Pottery Hub Tutors
Verran Townsend
I began teaching at The Pottingshed in Ashprington, mentored and inspired by master potter Richenda MacGregor. This grew to become Studio 45 the creative pottery hub in Dartington until it's sad closure during the Covid pandemic. It's a great pleasure to now be part of the team here at Coombe Farm Studios.
I love dreaming up ideas, thinking about design and how those ideas could be turned into things. The making too of course, experimenting and learning, handbuilding and throwing, and the excitement of seeing how each piece turns out as it emerges pinging from the kiln. I enjoy taking my creations out into the countryside too, letting them find their place and sharing the results on Instagram. But most of all I love helping others to follow their imagination and to develop their practice. Magical things happen when people lose themselves in clay, and it's a joy to be present when they do.
Instagram @verrantownsendceramics
Alys Brooker
I started my love affair with Clay some years ago one rainy September night on a beginners' course with Richenda Mcgreggor. I have always been a creative person but since that night my passion for all things clay has grown and grown. I was a member and teacher at Studio 45 in Dartington, and later an apprentice before it sadly closed. I now enjoy potting in my little studio at home. I especially love to throw though I also enjoy hand building particularly using porcelain. I am constantly surprised by the endless possibilities that working in ceramics presents to me and I am excited to see where it will take me next.... always a calmer happier place! I love teaching, and I really hope that I can inspire a love of ceramics in others.
Instagram @alysbrooker
Julia Toy
My love of clay began at secondary school. It was then largely dormant for a few decades whilst I studied fine art (sculpture) and then on to prop building and teaching art and design. When I moved to Devon I was able to reconnect with pottery by joining Studio45 at Dartington and then subsequently moved into my own studio.
I use both the wheel and hand building techniques and I am continually experimenting with cay blends and glazes. My process is intuitive and spontaneous and its in the very nature of working with clay to be slow, soothing and grounding.
I ove sharing my enthusiasm and knowledge of all things clay and I am continually learning and being surprised by it. I feel hugely grateful to be able to teach and share in other peoples discoveries, playfulness and enjoyment in pottery.
Instagram @juliatoyceramics