Funding received: £12,645.28 (40% of total project cost)
Priority area*: Supporting micro and small businesses
Project outline: Building a studio for ceramics work and classes. Purchase of ceramic kilns.
Key dates:
- June 2018 – full application submitted
- November 2018 – funding awarded
- May 2019 – project completed
Bringing the wonder of ceramics to the public
A ceramics studio and workspace has been built in Rutland by Katherine Staples, a ceramics artist who finds inspiration in nature, especially the seaside! With the creative space now fully furnished and industrial kilns installed, Katherine can develop her portfolio and even deliver workshops and classes.
Katherine has always had a passion for art and studied design crafts at De Montfort Univeristy whilst her oldest child was at school. Having inspired a love of ceramics, Katherine went on to study a Masters degree in ceramics at Loughborough University.
Although the last few years have seen Katherine focus on her family, she’s continued to develop her ceramics skills and work on bespoke commissions, including a 500 piece ceramics installation shortly before the birth of her third child!
Inspired by the natural world, Katherine has a particular interest in natural forms that are linked to the sea and the beach.
“Now that my youngest will be starting school soon I want to get stuck back into ceramics!” says Katherine. “It’s been so rewarding to get back into project work and I’ve been blown away with the support from the local community. I can’t wait to start going to exhibitions – I’ve already got some shows lined up over the summer. Without this funding I would have really struggled to get my business off the ground so quickly.
“I want to see other people benefitting from ceramics as an art form so I’m hoping to set up workshops and classes for all abilities in the near future.
“Art is such a fantastic outlet. Personally I’ve found working with clay very therapeutic and that’s what I want for my workshops – for people to unleash their creativity, really use their imagination and get a boost from socialising and learning new skills.”
This LEADER programme is overseen by a Local Action Group (LAG) made up of 13 local volunteers from a variety of sectors and professions.
Dennis Stanley, chair of the LAG said, “Katherine has an exceptional portfolio and we’re very excited to have helped her kick start new projects and share her talents with the wider community.
“Creative industries provide so much inspiration and can be a great way to support positive mental health. We’re very proud to support Katherine through the LEADER programme – her business will be a real asset for the local community.”
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