Potters wheels & kiln for The Loft, Wigan UK

Aim

My aim is to provide more potters wheels and a bigger kiln for tuition at my pottery studio, so all abilities can enjoy the fun of clay.

My name is Vikki and I make ceramics under the name Victoria Jane Ceramics. I love to teach and watch the face of students light up as they create, learn, laugh and experience something new. I’ve been a potter/ceramicist for over 20 years and although I have my own work ongoing, I’ve always been drawn to teaching. The feedback is that I’m good at it and the repeat students support that!

THE JOY OF CLAY

Everyone who comes to my workshops leaves with a smile on their face. I’ve lost count of the number of people who say how relaxing and therapeutic it is. I have some regulars who use it as their ‘therapy’. The positive mental health benefits are unquestionable. The last couple of years have highlighted the positives of learning new crafts and skills and together with the Channel 4 programme 'The Great Pottery Throw Down', the profile of pottery and ceramics has increased greatly.

WHY EXPAND?

My current studio http://www.theloftclaystudio.com is small. I only have room for 2 potters wheels and can only fit 4-6 people in the room at an absolute squeeze. I have to move furniture and equipment every time there is a workshop. Some sessions involve handbuilding and potters wheel which puts a huge strain on space. It’s backbreaking work and limits what I can offer. It become frustrating when I have to turn larger groups away or rotate the potters wheel tuition due to only having two pieces of equipment.

WHY £6K

I understand that £6,000 is a lot of money, but pottery is an expensive business. I’d like to have 4 potters wheels availabe for lessons, which could be permanently set up and mean avoid having to move equipment and furniture about. I also need a bigger kiln to get all the work created fired in fewer firings.

• A 120litre kiln - £3.5k
• 2 potters wheels - £2.5k

THE VISION

If I can achieve this extra equipment and build the sudio's following, I plan to move to bigger premises. This would mean having a designated handbuilding area to seat 6-8 people, with plenty of room for equipment and materials. I’d like to run regular workshops for beginners, but also offer an open access scheme for those who wish to continue their experience with independent making. It would run like a gym type membership, with monthly subscriptions and the chance to come and go at times that suit you. 

I plan to offer a range of services and workshops including:

• Beginners courses/workshops
• Potters wheel tuition
• Children’s workshops
• Private workshops
• Membership for Open Access
• Kiln firing services
• A friendly and safe environment to be creative
• A creative community hub for a feeling of belonging to something 
• A place to learn something new, meet new people and have fun

Clay is an amazing material and my little studio has shown that the community and surrounding area are keen to embrace it, use their hands, get grubby and engage. It would be an amazing creative community clay hub. Any support you can give by donating or spreading the word in order to achieve this vision would be incredible.

Thank you

Victoria

This project successfully funded on 2nd March 2022