Reflections/Connections with community/Icelandic inspired Ceramics/Galleries, shows & exhibitions 2014.

2014 has been a very busy year for me! I’ve been privileged to run pottery workshops across Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire with 700+ people from children to adults of all ages and abilities.

I’ve worked with four Primary schools, four children’s centres, a home educated group at MK Gallery, charities including Mencap, Re -Think and a Young Peoples ME support group. I’ve worked with two Girl Guides groups, three local arts events including Art in the Park, Off The Wallverton and National Play Day. I’ve also had the pleasure of teaching pottery at Milton Keynes Arts Centre to children and adults at Evening Class, Art Camps and a Saturday morning kids group. For me it was a nerve-racking experience taking on teaching pottery at Evening Class at a designated and recognised Arts Centre. After all, it was where I first experienced pottery myself just a couple of short years ago. It really has been a fun, challenging but very rewarding experience.

My Icelandic inspired ceramics are now featured in ten Art Galleries up and down the country from Cumbria to Cornwall and I’m really humbled by the comments from staff and customers about my work.

I opened my studio to the public as part of Bucks Open Studios in June for three weekends and again was so pleased with feedback on my ceramics work. It was lovely to welcome lots of people into my working space.

I’ve held stalls of my ceramics at The MK Handmade & Vintage Market, Finmere Festival, Redbourn craft Fair, Great Linford Summer Fair, Woburn Folk Festival, Blisworth Canal Festival, Olney Craft Fair, Woburn Sands Christmas fayre, Olney Dickens of a Christmas, Best Made Local and Greenwich Market in London. I’ve really enjoyed the face to face contact with the public at these diverse shows. It’s a chance for me to get first hand feedback and responses to my work. Again, I’ve been completely blown away by the comments and in particular my customers wonderful stories of their own Icelandic adventures. It inspires me to carry on and try new things with my work. I’m so pleased the public understand the connection between my work and the landscapes of Iceland.

Another goal was achieved when I had a piece of my work featured in the Geometries MK exhibition at the MK Gallery Project Space. My ceramic bowl captured the feelings, colours, wildlife and environment of Willen Lake. It was a real honour to be part of this exhibition alongside my girlfriend and her mum too.

As I reflect on 2014 and all its activities I do hope my pottery workshops have made a difference to people in their lives and helped them release a creative side. For me this is such an important part of life. In the past I let it slip away from my day to day. It happens… I hope I can continue to support people to be creative, be inspired and have fun with all things clay!