Our last day with Barbara was spent scraping back to reveal our patterns and designs. Such interesting work emerging as the day went on. Well done everyone! We have had such a brilliant 4 days. A real international group of students including people from Miami, California and Turkey. We can’t wait to see what comes out of the kiln. Thanks again to Barbara for being so generous with your skills and knowledge. We 🩷you Barbara you are the best ! See you again in July. Barbara is also coming back to the Waldron in 2027 - booking opens soon. @barbaragittings #ceramics #nerikomi

Join renowned ceramicist Chis Keenan for an immersive four-day masterclass at The Waldron, where you’ll delve into the world of Porcelain. Throughout the course Chris will demonstrate the throwing and turning of the forms mentioned below. Being a summer course, we hope that the weather is kind and we can dry freshly thrown pots outside so they are ready for turning sooner. He will keep a close eye on how things are drying. There will be time to discuss how the forms the students are making can relate one to another across their functional purposes to make a coherent body of work. Chris is also able to give an illustrated talk about his life with clay . Monday – starting with the throwing of cylinders we will go on to explore other “upright” forms – eg. mugs, beakers and bud pots/vases. When working on mugs, the making of handles will be demonstrated as and when the pots are turned. Tuesday – we will examine “enclosed” forms which require the clay to be thrown wider and then collared to make the desired form – eg. rounder forms, bottles and lidded pots, possibly including teapots. Wednesday – it’s time for more “open” forms, allowing to clay to do what it likes to do on the wheel – eg. bowls, dishes, plates. Thursday – the last day of a course is always a busy day as the students finish their pieces. At the end of the day the students will have the opportunity to talk to the group about the work they’ve made. Spaces are limited to ensure personalised instruction. book here. /product/chis-keenan-throwing-and-turning-with-porcelain/ @chriskeenanceramics

Our second day with the FANTASTIC Barbara Gittings saw the students piecing together the patterns into molds. Some really lovely patterns emerging. Lots of super helpful tips from Barbara, who is so generous with her skills and knowledge. We then took an outing to visit Roz at @sussex_potters_supplies . Roz has a pottery supply shop in Heathfield which is super close to our studio. She stocks lots of useful tools, clay and lots more. @barbaragittings

We are so thrilled to welcome the fantastic @barbaragittings back to the Waldron. Our group are raring to go after some incredible demos from Barbara. This 4 day course gives our students the time and space to follow Barbara’s nerikomi process without rushing. We can’t wait to see what designs and forms the students come up with. #nerikomi

What a day !!!! We had our work outing to visit all the incredible artists at Ceramic Art London. We bumped into lots of our lovely friends and made some new ones. Then we went to Japan House to the exhibition Hyakkō 100+ Makers from Japan which was incredible. The exhibition is only on untill May 10th so go and have a look. The day was finished off with delicious late lunch and cocktails. Thanks for coming @chapel_ceramics #ceramicartlondon2026 #japanhouselondon

Lovely visit to see a wonderful client/friend in Holland Park. A bowl I made on the table with a garden I designed in the background. 🩷

Jack Smith is a ceramicist based in Brighton whose practice centres on wood firing. He builds and fires wood kilns, using flame, ash, and atmosphere to shape his work and highlight the exciting unpredictability of the process. Building and Firing a Fastfire Wood Kiln A practical, hands-on workshop exploring the full process of building and firing a small Fastfire wood kiln. Working as a team, participants will learn kiln design principles, material selection, and construction techniques before taking part in a full wood firing and kiln opening. The course covers both the technical and practical aspects of efficient wood firing, including firing strategy, maintenance, and how to adapt the design for future use. Suitable for potters and enthusiasts of all experience levels. Course plan Day One Morning: Course introduction, overview of Fastfire kiln design, site orientation Afternoon: Laying foundations, firebox and chamber base Day Two Morning: Build chimney and complete chamber Afternoon: Load pots and prepare wood Evening: Final briefing and firing plan Day Three All day: Group firing, temperature tracking and record keeping Evening: Kiln sealed and left to cool overnight Day Four (half day) Morning: Kiln opening, review of results, group reflection What you will learn Hands on build of working fastfire wood kiln Fire to cone 12 ( 1300c) Load and fire your own bisque fired pots Learn about firning schedules and temperature tracking Book here /product/building-and-firing-a-fastfire-wood-kiln-residential-optional/ @thebeakerfolk #woodfirekiln

STUDIO SAFARI: Sun 21 June Meet the Makers that shape Sussex! • You will go behind the scenes with three incredible makers - Sophie Coryndon, Thea Thompson and Dominic Parrette. This immersive, small-group experience will take you straight into rarely opened workshops of some of the region’s most talented craftspeople. Spaces are limited to only eight guests to keep the experience special so book early! Links and info in bio 🔝 • The first (very special) stop will be to Sophie Coryndon’s Sussex studio. Her extraordinary sculptural wall hangings cannot be defined by a single material or category, but emerge from historical inspirations and bespoke techniques and have to be seen to be believed. Then we will head further into the countryside of the Sussex Weald to meet ceramicist Thea Thompson at The Waldron - the ancient barn where she works on her craggy sculptural vessels informed by landscape and technique. In the afternoon, the Safari will head to Dominic Parrette’s workshop and yard. Dominic is a Sussex based basketmaker specialising in organically woven willow forms and traditional frame baskets, including the endangered craft of Sussex Trug making. You will be joined by guide Corina - founder of The Makers Directory • “All the makers were so generous with their time and knowledge; it felt like a real privilege to be welcomed into their world.” These curated journeys offer something you won’t find anywhere else: real conversations with real makers in the spaces where their work comes to life. #sussexcraft #sussexcraftweek #sussexartist #sophiecoryndon #theathompson #dominicparrette #sussexwillow

‘Celebrating Imperfection’ is the theme of the exhibition multidisciplinary artist Laurence Moracchini has curated in her hidden gem of a hayloft studio along with two talented local artists. Discover a variety of unique, stunning crafted pieces and mixed media paintings. The best place to start or finish your ‘Art in Ditchling’ trail - with free accessible parking. Laurence Moracchini: Woodcarving, mixed media paintings and sculptural forms Susie Koren: Textiles/Paintings Thea Thompson: Ceramics #artinditchling #wabisabiinteriors #texturedartwork #artcollectorsuk #lmjmoracchini #textileartwork #sussexceramics #earthmaterials #celebrateimperfection #sussexartists

Celebrating Imperfection’ is the theme of the exhibition, multidisciplinary artist Laurence Moracchini, has curated in her hidden gem of a hayloft studio along with two talented local artists. Discover a variety of unique, stunning crafted pieces and mixed media paintings. The best place to start or finish your ‘Art in Ditchling’ trail – with free accessible parking. Open 11 – 5 every weekend in May and both bank holiday Mondays 4th and 25th. Studio & Gallery Unit 17, Turner Dumbrell Workshops,
Dumbrells Court Road, Ditchling BN6 8GT. #lmjmoracchini #artinditchling #artistsopenhouses #wabisabiinteriors #wabisabiart #celebrateimperfection #interiordesignuk #artcollectors #texturedart #textileart #minimalist #visualartist #sculpturelovers

ART IN DITCHLING starts THIS WEEKEND @art_in_ditchling weekends and bank holiday Mondays in May 11-5pm Info in bio. “Celebrating imperfection” curated group exhibition by multidisciplinary artist wood sculpture , mixed media paintings @lau_moracchini in her hidden gem of a hayloft studio along with talented local artists - Thea Thompson ceramics of @thewaldronstudio & Susie Koren textiles paintings using earth pigments and hand stitch. Inspired by the beauty of the land, geology and nature - working in wood, clay & earth pigments our materials are rooted in landscape. #earthmaterials #artinditchling #ceramicsculpture #woodsculpture #openstudios

Look at this lovely lot! Our new term started today. This is our brand new cohort! Nicola @chapel_ceramics will be looking after them and showing them the ropes !