Ale,
the Galician Potter
By
When I arrived in Liverpool I had just finished a ceramics/pottery course
in Spain which was part of an unemployment scheme. I really enjoyed it
and the people who I worked with were great; it is a time I'll always
remember with love.
Once in Liverpool I was living in Aigburth so I used to go to Lark Lane,
to the Old Police station, where there was a pottery workshop. I went
there all those years learning from both John and Dave.
Now after four and a half years I have set up my own studio-workshop
in The Kif with funding from the Millennium Award Scheme. It wasn't easy
at all; my boyfriend and a friend built the studio and fortunately I had
been given the equipment, a 450 kg kiln, which was moved with the help
of four men. My friend Chris helped me with the flyer, so I received lot
of support from friends really. The materials I ordered were lost and
I waited two days till I got them back. All went ok though as I got the
studio finished and started holding the workshops which went quite well.
At the
moment I am doing my own work and trying to market it and carry on with
the workshops; it is difficult as I don't have any more funding although
I manage to finance it.
I really like to do pottery and wish to make a living from it but I know
it won't be easy. It is really exciting, it is a long process but when
I open the kiln I find the pots surprisingly changed and beautiful; it's
something very encouraging.
I must say I had a lot of support from John who is a potter, Chris and
my boyfriend Ian whom from here I say 'Muchas gracias.' |