Playing in the mud
WORDS and PHOTOS Joshua Brosnahan
Phillipstown’s 27 Essex Street is home to three bespoke creative businesses specialising in pottery, all sharing a philosophy of respecting the materials used in the production of ceramics, treasuring materials that go into each item, and passing on this knowledge to others who want to experience clay.
Tatyanna Meharry fosters this concept with General Pottery’s Gwen Parsons and Keep’s Emma Turner.
General Pottery makes an age-old craft accessible to anyone who needs some more mud creativity in their life. They stock a variety of sustainable and locally-made tools and materials and provide helpful advice to novices and professionals alike.
Keep Ceramics is a carefully curated collection of unique and special treasures. Emma’s pottery features fun graphic lines and celebrates quirky moments in life to enjoy with your new ceramic object.
Tatyanna evolved Clae out of ideas formed alongside her sister Natasha. Both have been working within the arts industry for over 20 years while bringing considerable knowledge of design, teaching, ceramic art, and technology to Clae. Together, they help makers understand the fantastic geological history that comes with working with their materials.
Tatyanna mentions that one of the benefits of working together as a creative collective is that there’s always another ear to help problem-solve. The shared premise works in their favour in more ways than one.
“It means that having a space like our Essex Street location isn’t out of reach for smaller creative businesses. We share costs, and also, especially over the past couple of years, there has always been a pair of hands available to keep the doors open. It always provides a unique space that is busy and vibrant when you can work as a collective. I think the trick is to respect each other’s space but being prepared to share and support if needed.”
Clae runs classes in the Essex Street warehouse space – these are designed to suit anyone from the complete beginner to the seasoned professional looking for more technical input.
Tatyanna says the classes are always a “total pleasure” and that many fun and unique personalities come together to share a couple of creative hours.
“It is always rewarding to hear students say that they were amazed that they could achieve something that they thought they would be rubbish at and to say how much they needed that small piece of time to get away from all the stress in their lives.”
“We often have students from quite technical jobs come to courses, and it is hysterically funny to help them experience letting go of control as they embrace the creative. So much angst is cured by clay that flops, handles that won’t stay on, and teapot spouts that look rather anatomical!”
Coming up at Clae are term four classes specially designed to make “delicious seasonal projects” as the festive season approaches. A late night is on the cards, too; Fridays in December will be ideal for “creative goody shopping”. An annual Open Studio is also planned for the 10 December – a great option for those wanting to experience Clae before taking the plunge.
Tatyanna encourages Avenues readers to give creativity a go.
“Whether it is making for yourself or supporting another local maker, come get a little more mud in your lives!”