Learn Pottery at The Clay Studio

Last January I enrolled on a pottery course at The Clay Studio not knowing anything about the process or what would be involved, 16 months later I am absolutely hooked! Its Founder, Eunice Locher has curated a serene studio space surrounded by countryside that offers a range of courses and workshops in the art of pottery making.

During weekly classes, her skilled team of teachers guide you through the fundamentals of basic pottery construction and are on-hand to assist you every step of the way. The weekend workshops further develop your skills in throwing on the wheel, handbuilding, sculpture, raku, decoration and a range of specialist pottery techniques such as Nerikomi.

We chat to Eunice about her journey to become a pottery teacher and what the studio has to offer her students.

What are the benefits of joining a class:

Building confidence, making new friends, exploring your own creativity, mindfulness, meeting like-minded people, and acquiring a new skill set that can be applied in your own creative practice.

What is in the pipeline for The Clay Studio this year?

I am passionate about continuing to develop a community of local potters, giving them a solid foundation of techniques that can be applied in their own work. I offer a range of one day workshops throughout the year, each taught by different teachers in their own specialist areas.

Where do you find new ideas?

I love going to pottery events and courses, meeting successful potters, reading magazines and seeing how pottery changes people’s lives. Anything that inspires me gets shared within our community and often applied in the projects we set out.

What brings you to the area?

I grew up in Forest Row and lived in Tunbridge Wells as a young Mum. I have had long periods living abroad in Germany and Portugal, but returned to Forest Row about 10 years ago and have been running a pottery business, first in Groombridge from 2016 and now near Crowborough. I have daughters living in both Tunbridge Wells and Crowborough.

What inspired you to become a teacher?
I trained in pottery in the 1980s, and started teaching ceramics and pottery classes at Emerson College in Forest Row in 2000. For many years I ran “The Grapevine Studio” in Forest Row, making and teaching ceramics to both adults and children.

In 2007 I moved to Northern Portugal to open a Pottery and Retreat Centre. From there I established a large studio making my own porcelain product range, called “Eunice Locher Ceramics”. At the same time I ran many 7-10 day pottery holiday courses. On my return to Sussex I founded a teaching studio, and “Eunice Locher Ceramics” became “The Clay Studio”.

In 2021 the studio moved to larger premises at Barnsgate Manor Vineyard. As well as managing the studio, I still passionately love hands-on teaching.

What advice would you give to anyone considering taking up pottery?

Give it a go, there’s no need for fear and it is never too late to explore your creativity. We welcome people at any skill level and actively encourage you to try new ideas and techniques. My teachers are friendly and experienced and we genuinely love seeing what students make and how their style progresses throughout each term.

What do you love about Tunbridge Wells?

1. Good and Green on the High Street

2. The café culture in the Pantiles

3. Juliette’s

4. Sunday Afternoon Classical concerts in the Assembly Hall

5. The parks, the common and all the green spaces

To find out more about The Clay Studio and see the courses and workshop available click here: The Clay Studio