Christmas Wreath Pottery Workshop

Embrace the magic of the season and join local artist Helen McCormick for a festive, creative day.

Hand-build a stunning, everlasting Christmas wreath from clay to adorn your home for years to come.

About the Workshop
This workshop is designed to be a relaxed, friendly space where you can meet new people and soak up the holiday spirit while you create.
- Morning Session: You will learn how to design and hand-build your own Christmas wreath using traditional slab-building techniques . We will create festive elements such as holly leaves, ivy, berries, pinecones, and stars, exploring various natural textures.
- Afternoon Session: Add the finishing touches by learning how to apply colour and enhance your design.

No prior experience is necessary — Helen will guide you step-by-step through the entire process.

What’s Included
-All clay, slips, tools, and equipment.
-Professional kiln firing of your finished piece.

What to Bring
- A packed lunch.
- An apron and old clothes you don't mind getting a little dusty.
- Top Tip: It is advised trimming long nails, as the clay is very soft and easy to mark!

Tea and coffee will be available throughout the day for a small donation.

The Firing Process & Collection
After the workshop, Helen will take your wreath to her studio in Cullompton to be kiln-fired.

Your beautiful creation will be ready for collection from St Anne's approximately 6 weeks after the workshop. We will contact you with specific dates and times.

NB: We are happy to store your work for 6 months from the collection date, after which it will be donated to charity.

If a workshop you'd like to do is fully booked ring Box Office (01805 624624) to be added to the waiting list, you might be lucky! This also helps us ascertain the demand for particular workshops when programming.

PARKING

The closest long term car parks (and the cheapest) can be found at:

Fair View, Barnstaple EX31 1JR

Pilton Causeway, Barnstaple EX32 7AA

About Helen

I am a Welsh ceramicist and art teacher living in Cullompton, Devon. My hand-built ceramic vessels are strongly influenced by the coast and my time living, teaching and travelling in South East Asia. My forms are inspired by my first-hand experience of bulbous and curvaceous shapes found in many of the countries I travelled through. 

Each vessel is an exploration into the plasticity of the clay and the relationship between the maker and material. Beginning with a simple pinch pot, I build each piece over a few days so that there is time to reflect whilst the clay is drying and before adding the next coil. I then turn back the form by hand with a metal kidney, carving excess clay away, and using a mirror to help me achieve symmetry. I use stoneware clay, which I high bisque fire before applying very thin glaze. The surface is achieved by layering slip and barium glaze via pouring, dipping, spraying or brushing onto the vessel, layering the glaze. Each piece is a flux of blues and greens, reflecting the richness of the ocean.

I studied a BA in 3D Design at Exeter School of Art in 1996-1999 and a MA in Ceramics in Cardiff in 2003-2004. Having a desire to share my knowledge I completed a PGCE in Secondary Art and Design 2005-2006. I have taught in schools in Wales, England, Ghana, Thailand and Hungary for 16 years. I am now taking a leap of faith and focusing on sharing my skills via local community workshops and developing my studio practice; in my new life as an independent educator and studio potter.

I am a member of the Westcountry Potters Association and The Cullompton Arts House.

See here for all upcoming workshops with Helen McCormick.