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Camberwell alumni open ceramics studio and pottery school in Wales

Two plates made by Alex Allpress
  • Written byEleanor Harvey
  • Published date 29 November 2021
Two plates made by Alex Allpress
Image from Alex Allpress Ceramic Studio and Pottery School

Alex Allpress and Blue McAskill, both graduates from Camberwell College of Arts, UAL, have recently opened a new ceramics studio and pottery school in Mid Wales.

Based in Builth Well, the Alex Allpress Ceramic Studio and Pottery School is part of a new creative hub in the town. It includes a shop, a studio where you can learn how to throw pottery, as well an exhibition space.

Black and white photo of Alex Allpress working
Alex Allpress

"It has been a long process and we still have lots of work to do and ideas we want to develop,” said artist Blue.

“We're so excited to move to such an inspiring location where we can bring all our energy and creative hub to a town which we started calling our home four years ago. We hope to expand the pottery, have a small gallery space and a sculpture and painting studio too.”

Ceramic vessels made by Alex Allpress
Image from Alex Allpress Ceramic Studio and Pottery School

Alex and Blue met at Camberwell in the first weeks of their Fine Art Foundation Diploma in 1995. Alex went on to do his BA (Hons) in Ceramics in 1999, before establishing his own studio. Whilst Blue studied for her BA at Ruskin School of Art in Oxford, before returning to London to complete her MA in Fine Art at Wimbledon College of Arts in 2005.

The couple moved to Wales in 2008 when Blue, whose own practice is focused on film and sculpture, was awarded a residency at the National Library of Wales.

Alex Allpress teaching clay throwing
Image from Alex Allpress Ceramic Studio and Pottery School

Shades of Clay: 

This Christmas, Alex and Blue are celebrating the new space with a ceramic show called ‘Shades of Clay’ which will feature art, pottery and handmade ceramics.

The exhibition will be open from Monday 29 November – Sunday 5 December 2021.

If you’re looking to support a small, local business at Christmas, the Alex Allpress Ceramic Studio and Pottery School sells a range of different gifts from handmade mugs, jugs, bowls and vessels, as well as vouchers for pottery lessons or buying ceramics.

All the ceramics are made on-site from clay to glaze and kiln firings. Lessons include:

  • one-to-two-hour taster session
  • half-day course
  • full-day course.

All of can be brought in-person, online or over the phone.

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