Mansion Menagerie

Menagerie - a collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition. A strange collection of diverse people or things.

I have initiated this project to provide our community with the opportunity to engage in clay work and one another.

Every Wednesday at The Mansion Pottery in Totnes, I facilitate a drop-in session where individuals can come and craft a creature, whether real or imagined. I supply recycled clay from our pottery, and participants create their creatures, which they then return to me.

Guidance on working with the material is available for those who are new, while others may choose to explore their creativity independently. Attendees are encouraged to attend as many sessions as they wish. They may revisit the creature to paint and glaze it, or be inspired to create another. I will then fire the completed pieces in the kiln, allowing them to join the collection of creatures residing at The Mansion.

And then what?

I observe numerous obstacles hindering a more varied participation of potters in the ceramics studio. Some of these challenges are financial, while others are social, physical, emotional, or creative in nature.

This initiative aims to assist instructors and participants in establishing a secure and inviting environment, offering classes that are appropriate, safe, engaging, and inclusive, thereby extending the advantages of working with clay to a broader audience.

The money raised will go to support tutors to be paid a living wage, supply materials and tools in the workshop and ensure that classes are affordable. We will continue to create a wide array of classes, and will be open to creating yours for your group.