The Pot Heads Portable Pottery Studio

Who Are The Pot Heads?

The Pot Heads are handmade ceramic beings, created by myself and many others in my workshops! So far, the people of Bristol have potted a population of over 400 Pot Heads and enjoyed the fun, relaxing workshop. As a firm believer that everybody should be entitled to a healthy dose of creative silliness, I am asking for your support to help me to create a Portable Pottery Studio in a van, and to spread the pot-making joy across the country! 

My name is Tasha Bee. I am a community artist and I am passionate about improving wellbeing and connecting communities through creativity. 

The Portable Pottery Studio will enable me to travel across the country and beyond to deliver workshops to groups and individuals who would otherwise be unable to access them, helping me to achieve my goal of working with more vulnerable and isolated groups, and with small charities, groups & organisations that are based in rural and isolated areas.  It would also mean that I could take the workshop to festivals and other events such as weddings, parties etc.

The idea for The Pot Heads was born when I began working at Fired Up Ceramics, a pottery studio in Bristol that supports individuals with learning difficulties and autism.  I fell completely in love with the playful, relaxing nature of clay and soon wanted to share it with everyone I knew!

I developed a simple way of building pots which could be clearly demonstrated step-by-step (and mastered by everybody!)  Then I played with adding features to turn the pots into characters...  I was amazed at how different each pot looked as every person brought their own imagination into their new creation, and how every pot seemed to have it's own unique personality and expression!  

I now run regular workshops from my studio in Bristol,  and I can't believe that over 400 Pot Heads have been created in workshops since January. Each and every one is as unique and brilliant as the person who created it -  Click here to see the gallery!

Why Pots?

Creativity is a powerful therapeutic tool that needs to be accessible to everyone, regardless of age, background or ability. Making time in our busy lives to stop and create allows us to be present, to relax and express ourselves and above all to have fun and be silly!  Whether you are a professional artist, would describe yourself as being crafty, or haven't done anything 'arty' since school - clay is a tangible medium which easily ignites playfulness and a creative spark in everybody (plus its a great excuse to get messy!)

The Pot Head Workshops are for anyone to enjoy.  A chance to play with some clay and learn skills whilst also creating the space for conversation and meaningful connections between members of a group.  The 2 hour sessions offer a chance to learn some basic pottery techniques and develop a unique plant pot character to take home and be proud of forever. The workshop is tactile, relaxing and above all fun!

Since I started running the workshops in January, I have had the pleasure of working with a range of different groups, from young adults, families and children, to individuals with learning disabilities & autism, to work teams & hen parties! I have received overwhelmingly positive feedback it makes me so, so happy to see so many people embracing their creativity and enjoying themselves. I am still amazed every time to see all the different pots that are created! You can read some feedback from my workshops here.

Why Do I Need Your Help?

I believe that pottery should be accessible to everyone and I would really love to be able to take the Pot Heads further afield (and into some fields!) and outside of Bristol, to the rest of the UK and beyond... Think of all the pots just waiting to be created!

To be able to take my workshops further afield and grow the Pot Head population, I have a dream to create a Portable Pottery Studio... in the back of a van!

The funds from this crowdfunder will enable me to fully kit out a van with all the equipment and materials needed to run the workshop, including...

• An awning structure to create a large workshop space surrounding the van itself. This will be made using light waterproof material (upcycling broken tents is the plan!)
• Fold-away table and seating for x 12 people.  This would fold away and create a seating/bed area inside the van whilst travelling.
• A sink with running water, operated by a foot pump and located at the rear of the van so it can easily be reached during workshops.
• Solar power for lighting, speakers and other electrics.
• Shelving and ample storage for plants, equipment and materials.
• Display for example Pot Heads and shelving for drying pots.
• Photo booth for people to get a snazzy photo with their new plant pot pal.

I am planning to build as much as I can myself (with the help of some clever friends!) using up-cycled materials wherever possible.  I have some experience with van conversions and a love for transforming small spaces, so I really believe I can make it something truly special!

The Portable Pottery Studio will enable me to travel across the country and beyond to deliver workshops to groups and individuals who would otherwise be unable to access them, helping me to achieve my goal of working with more vulnerable and isolated groups, and with small charities and organisations that are based in rural and isolated areas.  It would also mean that I could take the workshop to festivals and other events such as weddings, parties etc.

I currently have a small van (pictured here) which I use to get around. Though it is too tiny to use for the Portable Pottery Studio, we couldn't resist using it as a test-run and have given it a luscious lick of paint and semi-converted it inside too... The incredible paint job by Hazard0ne is a taster of things to come for the new Portable Pot Heads van.  This beloved van will be auctioned as part of my fundraising efforts, with all proceeds going into this project!

A Bit More About Me

Hello! My name is Tasha, I am an artist who is passionate about using creativity to bring groups of people together, support wellbeing and encourage playfulness in a world that can be far too serious sometimes!  With a background in graphic design and illustration, I work across many mediums and enjoy using art and creativity to empower myself and others. In my own practice, I enjoy getting messy with hands-on processes and developing new skills... Some current favourites (apart from potting!) are graffiti, printmaking, costume and basically anything that involves lots of colour!

I work with a variety of groups to deliver creative workshops and my focus is to nurture a safe and supportive space for individuals to embrace creativity and to uncover hidden talents and connect with others.

In recent projects I have been working with The Brandon Trust, the NHS Mental Health Partnership & local charity Creativity Works.

I am interested in engaging with different groups in the community and would like to take this opportunity to reach out to a wider audience and encourage people of all ages up and down the country to enjoy some silly, creative fun.

How Can You Help?

Your support is hugely appreciated in whatever form you are able to give it!  I would love as many people as possible to get involved with the Pot Head raffle and have a chance of winning a free workshop - so please do grab a ticket and get all your friends to do the same!

If you would like to make a larger pledge then this is an exclusive offer to have your very own Pot Head custom made just for you.  If you would like your pledge to become a gift for a loved one then please let me know and I can provide a plush printed and posted package for you to give on Christmas Day! (just get in touch and we can work on the details, the order can be fulfilled even if I don't hit my target on here)

If you can't manage to make a pledge right now then your support through sharing with your networks is very much appreciated too :)