FOUNDER

Rani has always loved art, developing a particular passion for ceramics in her early 20s. While working in fashion and living in Hackney, she was inspired by London’s creative galleries and artists.

A beautiful contemporary bowl, gifted by Andrew her husband during a difficult pregnancy, became a major inspiration. It sparked Rani’s desire to create beautiful, handmade art. From that moment, Rani knew she wanted to make ceramics that could bring joy and wonder to others.

TUTOR

Helen graduated from Staffordshire University in 1995 with a BA (Hons) in Ceramics and is now a Selected Member of the Craft Potters Association (CPA). She sells her work through outlets all over the UK as well as at ceramic, craft and trade fairs.

Helen specialises in Raku firing and her work is held in private collections in the USA, Canada, China and across Europe.

TUTOR

Liz graduated from the Kent Institute of Art and Design with a BA (Hons) Fine Art, specialising in Sculpture. Her love of clay began in childhood pottery classes in her village.

Today, she works from her garden studio, exhibiting and selling across the UK. She predominantly works in porcelain, drawn to its purity and form. The porcelain also provides a blank canvas for her delicate drawings.

TUTOR

Kate graduated from Ravensbourne College of Design in 2000 with a degree in Furniture and Product Design. She discovered a passion for throwing minimalist, functional ceramics through local pottery classes.

Her collections feature one-off and small batch stoneware pieces. She supplies individuals, design markets, and retailers. Her work is inspired by Japanese design and her coastal surroundings.

TUTOR

Africa grew up immersed in Spain’s rich ceramic culture. Her passion for exploring cultures led her to England, where an adult pottery course sparked her love for clay. She went on to study at Escuela de Arte Francisco Alcántara in Madrid and deepened her practice through festivals and work with Master Potters.

Today, she returns to her roots, exploring blue-and-white traditions and pottery in the garden.

TUTOR

Born in Greece, Stathis first studied Chemical Engineering before a single pottery lesson sparked a three-year apprenticeship in Athens. After moving to London, he founded a Wimbledon studio and later completed an MA in Fine Arts at Sir John Cass. A finalist for the Broomhill Sculpture Prize and RBS FIRST@108 Award, he has exhibited internationally. His work sits between handcrafted materiality and conceptual imagery.

TUTOR

A graduate of Clay College Stoke, Peter now runs his studio in the Weald of Kent, working in salt-glazed porcelain and stoneware. Primarily wheel-thrown—sometimes altered and assembled, his pieces balance function and individuality, even within series like mugs, bowls, or cups. Though he came to making later, his practice is deeply shaped by the pieces he has collected, studied, and loved.

CHILDREN’S CLASS TUTOR

Julian studied ceramics and blown glass at Manchester Polytechnic before a Crafts Council grant took him to Dartington Pottery. Building and firing salt glaze and raku kilns led to work with Pietro Maddalena in Tuscany, then to a Zurich studio and teaching art, before returning to the UK. Alongside making, he has always taught, with a focus on the creative process. For him, creativity is grounding, a vital path to happiness and connection.

TECHNICIAN

Charlie studied Precious Metals at Kent Institute of Art and Design after an Art Foundation at Loughborough, later spending seven years with a London celebrity jeweller. In 2003 she and her husband opened a bespoke jewellers in Royal Tunbridge Wells. After nearly 20 years front of house and missing working with her hands, she began pottery classes at The Ceramic Studio.

TECHNICIAN

After graduating with a first class honors degree in graphic design from the London College of Printing (now LCC) Zoë built a thriving career in graphics and television design in London.

Her pottery journey then began as a release from the keyboard. 10 years on and now armed with a competent knowledge of hand building and throwing it has placed her at here as a glazing technician and studio photographer.

TECHNICIAN

Caroline studied Graphic Design at Kingston University and worked as a Design Director in global branding agencies for over 11 years.

After moving back to Kent, Caroline joined us as a student in 2017. Since then she has grown her skills and knowledge as one of our technicians, supporting tutors and students while keeping the studio in tip top shape.

TECHNICIAN

Ellie was born in Manchester and studied English Literature before discovering a new storytelling medium in clay and decoration. She creates functional stoneware pieces with minimalist designs that often carry wider contextual meaning. Her inspiration comes from small trinkets collected from her hometown, her travels, and life on a farm in Kent.

TECHNICIAN

With a background in business, Trish discovered pottery at a local studio and found it the perfect outlet for her love of making. She enjoys being part of the team and continues to be inspired by both tutors and students. She runs a weekly pottery session at Leonard Cheshire Home for disabled adults, fostering a convivial, creative space focused on hand building.

TUTOR / TECHNICIAN

Lenka completed an MA in Fine Art in London in 2013, focusing on printmaking and ceramics, and went on to work in studios across the city while developing her practice and teaching. Under the name Gatopollo Ceramics, she creates screen-printed functional pieces, alongside conceptual projects experimenting with porcelain and mixed media. Since joining The Ceramic Studio as a technician in 2023, she has become one of our regular tutors.

TECHNICIAN

Growing up near St Ives in Cornwall, Anna was surrounded by beautiful ceramics and art, though she first pursued a career in Intensive Care Nursing. Pottery lessons in 2010 sparked her love of throwing, and by 2017 she had become a full-time potter, creating functional pieces for the home. She especially enjoys assisting Africa with the throwing for beginners group.

TECHNICIAN

Sharon has a degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and previously worked as a PA in the oil industry before turning to clay as a way to unwind. She discovered ceramics nine years ago at The Ceramic Studio, where she is now a studio technician. Her practice centres around coiling, inspired by the shapes and colours of the natural world, and though she also paints and explored stained glass, clay remains her greatest passion.

TECHNICIAN

Katie graduated from Loughborough University with a BA in Printed Textiles and spent over 15 years in London creating print designs for fashion. Since moving to Kent, she has focused on wall murals, window art, hand-painted linens, and creative workshops. A taster pottery session three years ago reignited her love for clay, and she now enjoys both throwing and hand building, finding coiling especially therapeutic and her Monday evening class weekly creative therapy.

PRODUCTION POTTER

Lukas graduated from Coburg University with a BA in Product Design and later earned an MA in Furniture Design from the University of Gothenburg. Always drawn to working with his hands, he discovered a passion for ceramics, influenced by rituals around food and the beauty of the everyday. He has collaborated with chefs and restaurants, sold at markets, and taken commissions, striving to unite simplicity and functionality with emotion and honesty.

OUR HANDYMAN

Steven trained at RADA before working in stage management and later as a theatre sound engineer, with roles at the National Theatre, the RSC, Autograph Sound, and the BBC’s Millennium O2 opening. In 1997 he studied Animation at the Surrey Institute of Art, creating work for theatre and film, including live action sequences for the Almeida and the short Vacuum, screened at the BFI. After moving to Kent in 2001, he retrained as a carpenter specialising in restoration and bespoke interiors, and since 2021 he has been part of the team.

MARKETING MANAGER

Sam began her career in publishing in 2004, later becoming Head Publisher at Russell Publishing in Kent before moving to London to work in marketing for an investment magazine. After having her two boys, in 2016 she returned to Tunbridge Wells as an Account Manager at Rodgers & Rodgers. She now works at The Ceramic Studio, focusing on marketing and promotion, where she enjoys generating ideas, spreading the word, and inspiring more people to try pottery.

GUEST POTTER PROGRAMME MANAGER / TECHNICIAN

Sarah graduated from Kent Institute of Art and Design with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art, specialising in Painting and Printmaking. She began her career in higher education supporting art students with special needs, later moving to Queen Mary University to run the Pathways to Law programme. After discovering pottery at The Ceramic Studio in 2019, she joined the team in 2022 and now manages workshops and student communication, combining her love of art and education.

FINANCE MANAGER

Rebecca grew up in Derbyshire and moved to Kent after graduating from the University of Bath with a BA (Hons) in Modern Languages and European Studies. She went on to spend 25 years working as an accountant across industries ranging from timber importing to early years education and even dating. Now Finance Manager at The Ceramic Studio, she enjoys helping the business grow while also finding the studio a rewarding space for her own creativity.

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

While studying Fashion Promotion at Ravensbourne, Alice founded her own creative studio, supporting emerging businesses with graphic design, photography, and social media. Through this work, she discovered a growing love and admiration for pottery. She now enjoys capturing the beautiful work of students and the lively studio environment, finding endless inspiration in the vibrant creative community.