The Clay Studio’s core teaching team have many years of experience, and work in a fun, free-flowing, creative style.

Eunice started teaching ceramics and pottery classes at Emerson College in Forest Row in 2000. Then, for many years she ran “The Grapevine Studio”, making and teaching ceramics to both adults and children. In 2007 she moved to Northern Portugal to open a Retreat Centre and from there Eunice established a large studio making her own porcelain product range, as well as running many 7-10 day pottery holiday courses. On her return to Sussex in 2016, Eunice founded the “The Clay Studio”. 

@eunice_ceramics

Helen’s love for ceramics grew whilst assisting with children’s classes at Eunice’s first studio. Her own work is inspired by diverse local landscapes and natural textures. Her scientific background has led to a fascination for the interaction of glazes with clay bodies, and the development of new glazes and enticing finishes. With over a decade of experience in outdoor alternative firing techniques, she enjoys her passion for Raku and Obvara ceramics. Helen has taught at The Clay Studio, since its conception in 2016, and from 2023 will be leading and developing Pottery Retreats at The Mill France.

@helen.a_ceramics

Susana is an expert “thrower” who runs a number of courses for Kent Adult Education, as well as teaching at The Clay Studio. Susana’s ceramic work is wheel-thrown or hand-built in stoneware and porcelain, inspired by her love for pattern, colour and nature. She has a patient and supportive style of teaching. She has a very wide range of knowledge on Surface Decoration.

@susanagarciaceramics

Lara performs a wide range of duties across a number of classes. Lara brings youthful energy to the studio, and her humorous and caring nature is particularly appreciated by our “senior potters” and children. Alongside her interest in ceramics, Lara is a professionally trained textile designer and screen printer, and runs her own screen printing business: www.laragorlachstudio.com

@laragorlach

Born in Yorkshire, Lisa gained a BA Fine Art in London before relocating to East Sussex and going on to achieve an MA in Ceramics at Brighton University. As a ceramic artist, Lisa predominantly hand-builds; using matte colour and texture to create playful forms.

@c_l_a_y_d_a_y

Eloise has been passionately working within Ceramics for the past 13 years in a range of roles and applications. She graduated with a Master of Design in Materials practice (specialising in ceramics) from the University of Brighton in 2014 and has since taught at a number of studios around Sussex, Kent and London. Eloise’s experience to this point has taught her the incredible value that art, particularly ceramics, can have for people’s physical and mental wellbeing and has since begun her journey within Art therapy, studying for her MA at Goldsmiths in London.

@eloisenashceramics

Having initially studied fine art, Tim discovered a love of ceramics whilst teaching secondary art and design in London. 12 years later he now works out of his home studio, teaches, and has recently been awarded a Master of Arts Distinction in Ceramics at UCA. His unique approach to ceramics draws inspiration from a mix of Brutalist architecture and Memphis design, embracing dynamic shapes and bold forms. He is fascinated by process, and works with a mixture of thrown, hand built and slip cast forms. His experimental approach means he enjoys pushing students to think outside the box and explore the exciting possibilities ceramics has to offer.

@tim_fluck_ceramics

Rosie specialised in ceramics during her degree at the University of Brighton and went on to join a graduate wood firing residency in Denmark in 2021. Rosie is the potter behind Twig Ceramics, where she finds different ways to bring plants and pottery together. She strives to create handmade tableware which feels good in the hand, to make the small moments more meaningful. As well as teaching in our regular weekly classes, she also leads the Throwing for Beginners five-week course.

@twig_ceramics

Cellan was introduced to clay about 5 years ago when he began to teach himself to throw. Recently graduating from the 3D Design and Craft course at Brighton University, his work mainly focuses on joining wood and ceramics in furniture. He is continuously improving his ceramic skills, with a main interest in throwing, particularly with larger pieces.

@_cellan_

Having first worked in a pottery cafe, Jess pursued an arts degree in model-making at the University of Bournemouth. This led her to work in the animation industry as a prop and model maker before turning full circle back to the world of ceramics. She is enjoying learning as much as she can about the technical aspects of running a studio and in her spare time teaches throwing in local Brighton pubs.

@messyware

Natalie has been in the business of graphic design and marketing for over 20 years, and has been dabbling with pottery for equally as long. She has been a regular at the Clay Studio since it’s early days in Groombridge and attended many of the workshops, before coming on board to help steer the studio’s presence on social media, newsletters and online.

@ginger_and_fig