8 Reasons this is my Most Exciting Course to Date

Preparations are well underway for one of my most exciting and exclusive courses of the year - Sculptural Ceramics at Ashbrooke House, Fermanagh on 8-10 March.

I've been working so hard in the studio getting resources prepared for what will be a weekend full of clay creativity, packed to the rafters with techniques, tips, historical and contemporary contexts, moulds and models to create from.

I can hardly wait to begin this weekend of creativity and inspiration in the most beautiful and supportive of settings.

What's more, I will be sharing this experience with a close and most talented colleague, Helen Moore. She's the yin to my yang with her expertise specialising in surface finish and mine in sculptural form. Since we studied together, we can read eachother like a book making our teaching styles fluid and interconnected.

Our combined and shared knowledge encapsulates over 20 years of experience, 4 of which involved soaking in knowledge from international ceramic and glass leaders during our Masters study at what is rated as the Worlds Best Arts University, The Royal College of Art.

This collaboration ensures that this course is going to be the best value and most comprehensive guide to approaching sculptural ceramics I can offer...and here's 8 reasons why it's going to be the best.

1. Luxury

Located in the idyllic setting of Ashbrooke Manor in Fermangh, you will be surrounded by the most picturesque scenery and staying in the recently converted 5* luxury accomodation in Ashbrooke House. Never will you feel as luxurious working with clay!

2. First Class Teaching

Tutored by not one, but two award winning ceramicists and Royal College of Art alumni. Placed together due to our complimentary specialisms in form and finish, this combined duo means you'll be taught by the world's best.

3. Community

Create alongside like-minded enthusiasts, friendly atmosphere demonstrated by previous Ashbrooke Class participants;

'We were a very happy group from various backgrounds and both amateurs and more experienced artists enjoyed each others’ company immensely with much discussion taking place within the studio and during down time.'

4. Small Group size

Designed to offer exemplary 1-2-1 tuition through offering not one but two highly qualified ceramicists and keeping group sizes down to a a comfortable level ensures value you won't receive elsewhere.

5. Copious amounts of good Food

You will be well looked after througout the course with home grown and cooked food by host Amanda Brooke - my mouth's watering even thinking about it!

You looked after us so wonderfully- from the cottage pie to the lemon cake and all the other mouthwatering meals and the lovely glasses of wine!

6. Multiple Options

You don't have to miss out on this amazing experience just because you can't make the entire event. Full Residential, Non-residential and option to take part for 1 day means you can take part as much as you like or are able to.

7. A Creative Holiday

This is not just another course, this has been created to offer a creative getaway - a way of learning in a relaxed, luxurious and extended manner - to be a holiday, a retreat, an experience:

'Beautiful rooms where one can think, dream and lose oneself, forgetting the trials of life left behind somewhere.'

8. An experience to remember

This exclusive weekend is far from the normal image of working in clay in cold or overcrowded studios, instead you'll be surrounded by 'picturesque landscape' of rolling hills and ancient trees. stay in 5* accomodation, be wined and dined as a VIP.

What's more, you're going to be surrounded by creative tutors who are dedicated and highly qualified to guide you if you're a total beginner through creative projects designed to give you a comprehensive introduction to working in clay .

Or if you're more seasoned with clay you'll be in the perfect place to advance and hone your skills, work on your own projects with a longer duration, all carefully guided by two highly skilled and award winning ceramicists.

I cannot recommend Ashbrooke House more highly for a place to run a course or partake of a course and I hope there will be many more so that others can benefit from the magical experience.

The Details:

Dates: 8-10 March

Location: The Tack Room, Ashbrooke House, Brookeborough, BT.94 4GX

The course will focus on sculptural ceramics, exploring form through handbuilding techniques such as coiling, slab building, paper clay, press moulding and using formers. This is an opportunity to enhance your skills and knowledge through an ambitious and supportive weekend retreat.

Demonstrations and one to one advice will be delivered throughout each day providing students with individual support and guidance. Participants will be encouraged to explore individual interests and broaden their creative horizons, leaving not only with beautiful objects, but also with a solid foundation for approaching future ceramic projects.

The Course will be broken into the following segments.

Saturday: Hand Building techniques using formers & press moulds.
Sunday: Introducing Porcelain Paper Clay.

Following the course, all work will be fired and glazed, ready for collection (or delivery if based outside of Northern Ireland / Ireland, cost based on postage) in May.