Rye has a rich culture of creativity and a growing community of artists and craftspeople keen to share their skills through courses and workshops. Rye News will be regularly featuring the artists who are offering workshops to share their skills. This week we feature the potter, Kate Sellers of KS Creative.
More and more, it seems, people are searching out experiences that give them the opportunity to explore their creativity or will take them away from the cares of the world for a few hours – and Rye is just the place to find them. From yoga, dance and Pilates classes, to relaxation sessions to pottery, book binding or paper marbling workshops, there is plenty on offer to both locals and visitors alike.
On a sunny Saturday in April, Kate Sellers ran a hand building pottery workshop in her light-filed shop and studio space, KS Creative on 12 Cinque Port Street. The group of ten fitted easily around the central long table surrounded by Kate’s pottery decorated in her colourful and fun style – vibrant stripes, painted fish, playful faces and bold patterns.
The session was well-organised with the clay prepared and plenty of things to choose to use to personalise designs: different moulds, cookie cutters in a variety of shapes, stencils, lettering and a range of tools. After a demonstration by Kate on how to gently place the clay into their chosen fish mould, scallop shell, bowl and plate moulds, the group set to work to shape and smooth the clay.
While the clay was drying, there was the opportunity to experiment using coloured slips, (liquid clay mixed with colours) to decorate a pre-cut round coaster, using paper and stencils, and sgraffito (scratching through the slip into the clay) to create patterns.
The final part of the day was decorating the objects using coloured slip and techniques practised earlier. The pottery will be left to dry for a couple of weeks before going into the kiln for firing. It can then be collected or Kate can post it.
Everyone agreed that it had been a lovely session and that Kate is an excellent teacher. Lucy was given the workshop as a birthday present from her brother, Adam. “Kate explains everything well and is very patient. The atmosphere is very calm and relaxed. It is so good to learn something new.”
Adam, who works in TV and film, found the experience relaxing. “My job is very busy and stressful so it’s great to be able to spend time doing something tactile and to slow down.”
Sarah was at the workshop with her friend, another Kate. “It’s great to be in this space working manually, with no distractions, very satisfying and enjoyable. I like the idea of supporting independent creative spaces too.”
Sarah had given the workshop as a 50th birthday present to Kate who said, “This is part of my 50 experiences at 50. I wanted to try more creative things and this has been great.”
It is a really absorbing and enjoyable day, perfect for the beginner or more experienced and, as two of the potters discovered, a wonderful present!
There are two more workshops planned on 16 May and 20 June and can be booked here.
Image Credits: Juliet Duff .