WELCOME TO WOODSETTON ART POTTERY
Courses and Services Site
Woodsetton Art Pottery Established 1986, is a family studio of designer makers to major galleries and museums worldwide. We are also a multifaceted company with studio members offering demonstrations and workshops, and supplying clay and glaze materials, and kiln firing services from our studios in Woodsetton in the Black Country.
To see our studio work and exhibitions, or to buy some of our works please click on the link button below.
I keep coming back here because as a socially anxious person simply leaving the house sometimes is hard but Lorraine and the rest of the class are so lovely its incredible! Lorraine has skills you would kill for she's patient and calm, funny and just so easy to learn from, I would highly recommend coming here whether you want to buy from her shop of ceramics or materials, or if you want to learn pottery from her, we all keep coming back! I never want to stop going!
Kiera Perkins
Lorraine is a brilliant teacher, very hands on with helping you. She will allow you to do your own thing but the lessons still have a strong throughline. On the course I did, you get to keep your glazed vessels. There is next to no theory and you spend all your time with your hands covered in clay. Check out her website, she is also beginning to do some work on Twitch so you can watch along as she streams herself throwing pots and answering questions. She is observing the pandemic rules well, masks are worn, everyone is at a distance and inside an open workshop and large marquee. If I could rate it 6 out of 5 starts I would.
Adam Pritchett
ABOUT US
Woodsetton Art Pottery...
Rooted by materials, training and history to The Black Country village of the same name for over thirty years, using clay and metal to make truly unique pieces of use.
At Woodsetton two generations and an upcoming third, have made their livings as designer makers for over 50 years. David Bates, a furniture designer and manufacture, and Gill Bates an antique dealer, later came together to work with pewter. The Victorian house and workshops which housed their early business was built by the Parkes family of Iron founders who were descendants of Abraham Derby 1st, and so there has been a long line of metal working at this address. For the latter 30 years Lorraine Bates has run a pottery here using stoneware and metal to make pieces of use. The combination of these two materials has an illustrious history in the Black Country in the shape of The Ruskin Pottery who made stoneware in The Arts and Crafts tradition and ethos which is still a strong influence on our work. Lorraine Bates and the team at Woodsetton, now have a history of making for galleries, museums and exhibitions in the UK, America, Japan and Europe.
WHAT WE DO
Our pottery in the Black Country village of Woodsetton houses a teaching studio, and a gallery shop selling our stoneware and porcelain ceramic pieces. When we are not busy making pots for galleries, we run a number of pottery workshops and classes for students and visitors. In our well equipped Victorian walled garden studio wehave 7 electric potters wheels for those wishing to learn or improve their throwing skills, and a wide variety of tools and equipment for hand builders and sculptors. For those wishing to learn about, or specialise in colours and glazing, we have a large and varied range of materials to work with. Firings are done in four electric, one gas kiln and also a Raku kiln.
We are also a distributor for Potterycrafts Ltd stocking a range of pottery clay, materials, equipment with firing service, ideal for local crafters wishing to embark on ceramics as a hobby in their own space, with all the advice and local expertise they need .
We run regular open days in conjunction with The Craft Council and BBC “Get Creative” when visitors can have a go at throwing, and we have Raku and pit firings days with our students which you can watch and often get involved. We also get involved with public art projects and art fairs all over the country. Follow us on Instagram to hear about these first.
OUR TEAM
Gill. Lorraine. Joh.
Here at Woodsetton we currently have 3 generations working together. Gill, an antiques and pewter specialist, as well as the queen of the cakes (making the bakes you can sample on your break during a workshop). Lorraine, with 30 years of practice behind her, is our resident potter and designer, know it all and the one that will take you through your ceramic journey step by step. Finally Joh, training architect, techie and general dogs body.
159, TIPTON ROAD, DY31AA
Never hesitate to get in touch, to book or enquire, were always happy to answer any questions. Please excuse us if we don't always answer the telephone promptly as we might be in a remote part of the studios up to our ears in clay!
Woodsetton Art Pottery,
159 Tipton Rd,
Woodsetton,
Dudley
DY3 1AA
01902 883429