Kirsti Hannah Brown’s ceramic workshops taught participants a range of techniques for building and embellishing ceramic objects. Over the course six weeks, participants learnt how to impress patterns and textures into clay using shells, screws, print blocks, etc.; create simple structures, including tubular shapes from sheets of clay; to build slab vessels and pinch pots; and how to model figures, including simple additions to give the effect of clothing, faces and fabric.

Some participants became absorbed by the process and produced well-refined pieces. Others enjoyed the process and preferred to work more quickly and experimentally. In the final sessions, Kirsti brought in bisc-fired pieces from earlier weeks and a variety of glazes so that service-users could experience glazing their work and take home a completed piece.

“What a wonderful course, using ancient skills to produce little pieces of creativity!  Kirsti has been fabulous in teaching us how to use our own levels of creativity.  Really impressed!”

– LRRC Walton participant

Kirsti also ran two workshops with clients at the inpatient unit at Clock View Hospital where participants learnt how to make pinch pots.

“We find when we do activities it really relaxes everyone… I can’t believe how much they focused on it – M is visually impaired but he really engaged with things.”

– Occupational Therapist, Clock View Hospital

“Having the opportunity to spend six weeks with one group was brilliant. I could introduce new techniques each week (we even managed to do some glazing) and by the last two weeks we were able to build on those skills and if participants wanted to they could make something of their own choosing.

I felt as though the participants benefited from the opportunity to learn a new skill, think creatively, and not be judged on what they were producing.”

– Kirsti Hannah Brown