Community Clay studio Manchester was founded in 2016, as a not for profit organisation to provide a dedicated workshop for beginners, new graduates, hobby ceramicists and experienced makers. The studio also offers a range of classes for students of all abilities.
To provide an enriching experience of working with clay.
the space
The studio is based within the Work for Change co-operative in Hulme, Manchester. The main space is accessible, clean and light. The current facilities include: 4 electric kilns, 5 potters' wheels of various makes and models, hand-building work surfaces, an extruder, a selection of ceramics-related literature, and a range of high earthenware glazes.
The members space has 4 potters wheels, hand-building work surfaces, its own electric kiln, and a range of stoneware glazes.
We aim to minimise our environmental impact by trying to reclaim as much waste clay and glaze we can, and using renewable energy suppliers.
the team
Community Clay Studio Manchester was set up by Caroline Tattersall, Stephen Graham and Robert Bree.
We have an excellent team of makers that draw on their diverse teaching and making experience to provide a range of classes for students of all abilities and, of course, to make sure our members are happy.
Our current team is Nastassia Blahadava (Tutor), Abigail Piper (Production Potter, Technician and Tutor), Grace Igoe (Technician and Tutor), Katie Nelson (Tutor), Thomas Longden (Throwing Tutor), Robert Bree (Tutor, Membership & Market Coordinator), Laure Bennett (Social Media Guru), Caroline Tattersall (Director) and Stephen Graham (Tutor and Managing Director)
Caroline
Caroline studied ceramics at both the Royal College of Art, London and UWIC, Cardiff, and has exhibited and won awards both nationally and internationally for her ceramic sculptures. She has also taught in a variety of of teaching environments (schools, hospitals, community centres, universities, charities) working with a wide range of the general public. She has her own ceramic practice from a studio space in Sale.
Stephen
Stephen has both a BA Honours in ceramics from Staffordshire University and an MA from London's Royal College of Art. He has a wide range of technical and teaching experience – he last taught as a Specialist Technician at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design, and has taught at De Montfort, Brighton and Liverpool Hope universities. Stephen has also runs his own business producing ceramics for exhibitions, the market and for clients around the world, giving him great hands on knowledge of how to work within the professional field. He has exhibited works in high profile ceramic exhibitions in the USA, Belgium, Japan, Austria, Italy and the UK.