Potters have been showcasing their work at an Islington Arts Factory ceramics exhibition in Holloway, under the guidance of Kayley Holderness. Miss Holderness, who has been working at the Arts Factory for over nine years, said her classes were for those “who have a little experience with clay and want to come and use the facilities but in a chilled environment”.
Classes are pay as you go, with Miss Holderness saying, “I appreciate pottery is an expensive hobby, but doing it this way makes it affordable for people…I also appreciate that people sometimes don’t always feel like coming to classes, I want people to come because they want to, not because they have to.”
Once all the work is complete, Miss Holderness asks attendees to choose their favourite pieces for the annual exhibition, now in its fourth year. On their opening night, Miss Holderness said the turnout was excellent. “We have people who come back every year, friends and family and locals, and of course our artists whose work is displayed…it’s always nice to put pot to face.”
Miss Holderness emphasised the importance of having an artistic hobby, and that potters see the achievement in making something “truly beautiful with their own hands.”
She said “I think at the moment especially, people need an outlet and somewhere to come and be quiet and get in touch with their creative side.”
However, Miss Holderness said the sessions were also for “people to come and have a chat, a tea and a biscuit, it’s a social thing as well, we all look forward to seeing each other each week.”
Miss Holderness runs the intermediate classes on Tuesday evenings and Thursday afternoons and evenings at the Islington Arts Factory, for two and a half hours at £30 a session. She also runs weekly children’s classes.
The exhibition showcasing the ceramics work is on until the 20th of October 2023.
For more information on the range of classes run at the Islington Arts Factory, from life drawing to dance, see their website. Kayley also has her own website here.
