Clay Commons
The Clay Commons Podcast explores the how, why, where and with whom of making with clay, a material that has formed the foundation of our contemporary global cultures and is the ultimate social binder and leveler.
Hosted by Eva Masterman, an artist and educator with nearly 20 years experience of working with clay and across creative education, we delve into the increasingly interdisciplinary and diverse landscape of clay practice and independent ceramic learning and ask: what do we need to thrive into the future as makers and a community?
Tune in for expanded conversations about all things clay: from how and why we make, to creating more sustainable practices, the ethics and accessibility of running studios and teaching new generations of makers, to the social impact of using clay in wellbeing and community spaces.
Clay Commons
Episode 2: Open Studio
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Leading on from themes of education and the decline in university courses in Episode One, Episode Two looks at alternatives to formal education and the rise of open studios and independent art schools. We meet some of the leading pottery studios in the UK who are challenging traditional economic models and providing university standard training for a wide demographic of people. Setting this against a wider movement of alternative art schools that have started to pop up in the wake of rising course fees, we also discuss the role of the artist in society and hop over to America to meet The Clay Studio in Philadelphia, to hear about the responsibility of ceramic studios to 'move well' into areas in a meaningful and mutually beneficial way for both the organisation and the communities they're working with.
A shout out here as well because I only managed to speak to an all white cast for this episode and there’s some amazing initiatives that are foregrounding Black and Brown histories and art practices and decentring the dominant white washing of the art world and education at large. Absolutely look up, support and go educate yourselves at
Black Blossoms @blackblossoms.online
Mudbelly Teaches @mudbellyceramics
Pot LA @pot_LA
…to name but a few doing this incredible work!
Contributors to Episode Two:
Stuart Carey @thekilnrooms, Mark Essen @modern_clay,
Polly Brannan @openschooleast, Jennifer Zwilling @theclaystudiophl