CERAMICS
Academy
Community Interest Company
Creating Community
At the heart of the Ceramics Academy CIC is the desire to create community. Our aim is to make pottery more accessible to the local and wider community, helping narrow the social gap and increase opportunities.
Clay is transformational, it elicits a sense of calm and peace. We want to share these therapeutic qualities with as many people as possible.
By partnering with local organisations and professionals we will support the health and well-being of children, young people and adults through tailor-made pottery workshops in a safe, relaxed and fun environment.
A Massive Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who supported our auction. We are so grateful to everyone who donated auction lots, placed bids, and spread the word. We couldn’t do it without your support!🙏💫
What we offer
With all these sessions there will be the option to progress through the services we offer. We have many members of the studio who started off coming to one class a week and are now full members taking commissions and selling their work.
Coffee Pot Sessions
Sessions for Adults
Monthly subsidised pottery sessions for all adults. These sessions are a gentle and relaxed introduction to the studio with a small project make. No pressure to sign up to classes, just somewhere you can come for a natter and refreshments.
No need to book, just turn up. £8 to take part and have your work fired.
Please note that capacity is limited and we politely ask that you arrive no more than 5 minutes before the session begins.
Session times
Friday 10.30am-12.30pm.
Due to its popularity, occasionally we cannot accommodate everyone. For those travelling far, please be aware that we also offer ‘Tea Pot’ sessions, these are an extension to our Coffee Pot but are open to local charities and community groups. For further information please email Sarah
Tea Pot Sessions
Targeted sessions for Community Groups and Charities
Two hour tailor-made subsidised pottery workshops for local charities and community groups.
Save the Date:
16th January 2026
6th February 2026
The Skylarks and myself would like to say a huge thank you for such a relaxing and friendly environment to 'play' in. We all really enjoy our sessions with you and as ladies of 70 plus the mental stimulation is an extra bonus. The teas, coffees and biscuits are always welcome. Keep up the great work.
Fran on behalf of Skylarks Group
Workshops
For Adults, Young People and Children
Two hour subsidised tailor-made pottery workshops for groups and individuals.
Courses
For Adults and Children
Longer subsidised six-week courses for people with mild to moderate mental health problems.
We are hoping that in time these sessions will be free at the point of use through funding.
The whole experience at Ceramics Academy has been wonderful for Koli in so many ways. Jo really is a great teacher who's kind, calm and fun.
Mandy - parent of a young person
Support
We would like to expand what services we are able to offer with the aim of making some of them free at the point of use.
If you can spare the price of a cup of tea/coffee and put some 'Pennies in the Pot' please click on the link below to make a one-off donation.
If you are able to give a little more, to help us continue the work we are doing please click on the button below and choose your one-off donation amount.
Thank you for your support.
Past Events
Thank you to everyone who supports our event, from donations, to baking cakes through to giving up your time. We couldn't do it without our great community.
News
We would like to say a big thank you to South Molton Town Council for awarding us our first grant of £150. This grant will enable us to carry on providing much needed creative and well-being services for our local and wider community.
24 Hour Pottery Throwdown
total raised =
£6166.38
From the 4th-5th April 2025 Taz, along with professional potters and our studio potters took on the mighty challenge of keeping our pottery wheels constantly spinning for 24 hours.
Taz and friends smashed the challenge and raised an amazing amount in the process. This was split equally between our CIC and local charity ChemoHero, a fantastic local charity supporting people through their cancer treatment. Thank you to Rob and his team for all their help in supporting our event.
The money raised will enable us to carry on providing subsidised pottery workshops for the local and wider community such as:
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working with a small group of young people who are neurodivergent, tailoring each session to their individual needs and strengths.
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Running 'Tea Pot' sessions for local charities and community groups as well as our monthly 'Coffee Pot' workshop.
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Pilot a 4-week fully funded course for young people who will get to try their hand at different pottery techniques such as slab building, pinch pots and wheel work, in a relaxed and supportive environment.
in aid of ChemoHero and CA CIC
Thank you for your support
Photo credited Karolina Andresova
@karolinaandresova
Soup Bowl Fundraiser
On Saturday 19th October 2024 we opened our doors and welcomed our community to come together to share food and company whilst raising money for our CIC.
All the bowls were made by staff and our Open Access students and soup, bread and cakes were donated. We also had a great bunch of folk volunteering on the day. What a fabulous community we have!
Thank you for your support
South Molton Eco Fair
On Sunday 22nd September 2024 we packed up our wheels and headed to South Molton's first Eco Fair in the pannier market.
We met so many lovely people, threw a lot of pots and got to chat to lots of local businesses who have the environment at the heart of what they do.
Thank you to everyone who helped us raise money for our CIC.
Thank you for your support
Join our community
If you would like to join our community as a volunteer, we would love to welcome you.
Future Roles
There are lots of ways to help, from fundraising to supporting workshops and everything in between.
Please get in touch with our friendly bunch for more information.
To register
your interest
Taz Pollard MA
Founder and Director
Owner and lead tutor of the Ceramics Academy, Taz has over 20 years experience teaching ceramics and also has a background in supported learning and running Arts on Prescription programmes.
Our Directors
CA CIC is limited by guarantee, this means there are no shareholders, and we have directors to run the company.
David Baker
Director
David studied at Harrow School of Art, Studio Ceramics. He went on to teach at Petroc (previously North Devon College). David was the Programme Manager and co founder of the Arts on Prescription Programme (AoP), a collaboration with the Community Mental Health Team, local GPs and Devon Partnership NHS Trust. AoP gained recognition locally and nationally for the professional and effective delivery, joint winner of the Association of college’s The Beacon Awards which celebrate the best and most innovative practice among UK further education (FE) colleges.
Further the AoP programme contributed to the research into art and health, Journal article Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 16(2), 2012, pp.84-89, publisher: Emerald.
Rosie Godfrey
Director
Children’s author, poet, and amateur potter. She spent many years teaching children with special needs in a range of educational settings, before working in a Children’s Hospice, with Gypsy and Traveller families, and later as an Early Intervention practitioner, supporting vulnerable children and families within a Youth Offending Team project.
During this time, Rosie created 'The Art of Parenting', a creative course promoting the health and well-being of mothers, particularly survivors of domestic abuse, through one-to-one work with local artists and community-based learning.
Rosie has seen first-hand the power of clay to nurture curiosity, confidence, and self-esteem in both children and adults, and is passionate about supporting the mission and vision of Ceramics Academy CIC.
Sarah Bunyard
Director
Business Manager for the Ceramics Academy and a hobby potter. She has a background in administration and education, and is passionate about children and young people’s mental health. Sarah leads on administration for the CIC.
