A ceramic centre two years since it was established is celebrating with a new studio expansion including the introduction of a Studio Manager/Teacher and a new ceramic workshop & event timetable.
LoveClay, the ceramics centre at the heart of the potteries, opened with its first workshop event on 14th February 2018. The Valentine’s Day themed event proved particularly popular and sparked further interest in ceramic workshops and events including beginners throwing, ceramic evening courses, Mother’s Day Flower Making, Ladies Evenings and even Christmas Wreath making that regularly sell out.
From Monday 2nd March 2020 LoveClay, based at Valentine Clay’s HQ in Fenton, plans to open its new studio on a daily basis ensuring ceramics and clay can be easily accessible. To manage and develop this new concept LoveClay is excited to announce that Jon French, renowned Master Potter & Teacher, will be relocating to grow and develop the studio.
Jon plans to run hourly throw-a-pot sessions, masterclass throwing sessions, a pottery weekday course, Open Studio Thursday’s, monthly decorating sessions as well as continuing with his popular weekend beginners throwing courses. Additional themed events are planned to take place throughout the year including Easter, Halloween and Christmas.
LoveClay will also continue to host corporate & teambuilding events focusing on creating a unique and different experience based upon its Potteries heritage.
Jon French, LoveClay Studio Manager, commented: “It’s an exciting time to join LoveClay, with Chanel 4 currently showing The Great Pottery Throw Down we are already seeing an increase in interest for the courses we are proposing to run.
I am looking forward to inspiring both local people and those further afield to come along and have a go. Clay is such a great medium for people to express themselves and as the Throw Down demonstrates it isn’t all about throwing, there is so much more to learn.
Over the next 12 months I am focused on creating superior quality clay events and workshops as part of LoveClay’s greater ambitions to help to put Stoke-on-Trent on the map and to celebrate our unique heritage.”
Hannah Ault, Sales & Marketing Director of Valentine Clays, commented: “We have been working with Jon for quite a few year’s now first as a customer and then as a LoveClay teacher. The success of LoveClay is largely due to the support we have received from Jon and it is extremely fitting that we appoint him as our Studio Manager.
We intend to make our ceramic activities as accessible as possible by not only running weekend workshops but also throughout the week and evenings too. We are also excited to continue working with local schools and companies and can’t wait to watch LoveClay grow under Jon’s guidance, I would definitely encourage all Stokies to come and have a go.”
LoveClay Studio will be open from Monday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. All sessions will need to be pre-booked online via www.loveclay.co.uk or call 01782 271200
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