A Derby couple who met while working together to create the world-famous poppies that filled the Tower of London in 2014, are opening a city-based ceramic hub.
Artists Abbie Sunter and James Pettinger, will launch Wedge – a ceramic workshop aimed at supporting keen ceramic practitioners whilst encouraging newcomers to give it a try.
Thirteen years after working for internationally renowned artist Paul Cummins, Abbie and James have continued to expand their individual practices with James working as a ceramics instructor at De Montfort University while Abbie built up her studio practice and completed her Master’s degree in Art at The University of Derby.
Now, they’re following their passion to create a genuine ceramics hub in Derby, with a range of facilities that offer everything from one off sessions and weekly classes in throwing and sculpture, to longer-term full access memberships for local ceramic artists and serious hobbyists.
Abbie, Founder of WEDGE Ceramic Workshop, which is based on Perkin Yard on Mansfield Road, said: “We’ve made a real effort to have a range of high-quality equipment, including a slab roller, seven pottery wheels and three professional kilns all in separate working areas to create a space both for sculpture and throwing.”
“We’ve essentially tried to make the space we wish we’d been able to access when we first started making ceramics more seriously”.
“After leaving University – the first time – I found it really difficult to continue with a meaningful ceramics practice. I could no longer access the facilities I’d got used to at university and although I was working full-time, I was also renting so I couldn’t afford to just splash out thousands of pounds on a kiln and stick it in my rented digs.
“In the last five years we’ve seen a huge uptick in people wanting to pursue creative careers and hobbies but hardly anywhere to take them up. Unless you sign up to repeat college courses or can afford to shell out thousands on equipment and space, it’s really hard to get started, never mind continue a creative practice”
In addition to offering a chance for local groups to enjoy exploring clay, including seasonal events like Halloween and Christmas workshops, WEDGE aims to offer intensive courses in a range of ceramics skills. It will also act as a rich resource for more serious makers.
Joint Founder James Pettinger, is a highly qualified ceramics instructor with many years of experience in colleges and universities. His knowledge and expertise in areas like glazes, clay bodies and firing techniques will offer invaluable support for artists and hobbyists who are looking to access a wider range of facilities and resources than have previously been available to them.
James said: “At WEDGE, we want to create a calm but inspiring and supportive community, a place where anyone can come and work on their own ideas at their pace. Our aim is to provide the resources needed for artists and creative people from all over Derbyshire to make things for themselves. That’s what WEDGE is all about, it’s a place made by makers, for makers.”
WEDGE Ceramic Workshop celebrates its official opening in September but James and Abbie are opening the doors on Saturday, September 5 to showcase the studio. From 12pm – 4pm James will be running free “have a go” throwing sessions on the potters’ wheels, there will also be a “Celebration Pot” that everyone can add to, creating a sculpted memory of the opening day. Abbie will also be around to answer any and all of your questions about how you can get involved at WEDGE.
For more information about WEDGE, visit their website – https://www.wedgederby.co.uk/
You can also check out the full renovation of this brand new space on their Instagram account here – https://www.instagram.com/wedgeceramicworkshop
