Porcelain plant plaques

Join Kathryn for a relaxing, gentle, creative day working with soft porcelain clay. You’ll learn how to make porcelain plaques inspired by plants growing at CUBG. Starting with a ball of porcelain you’ll be guided through simple steps to make your plaques. You’ll imprint the clay using flowers and leaves collected on a short walk in the Garden, then use simple tools to shape, texture and add small pieces to build up your botanical design.

After the workshop your work will be taken away to be fired in Kathryn’s kiln. You’ll be able to collect your fired porcelain plaque from CUBG four weeks later. A long-lasting reminder of a very special place, they look beautiful hung in a window, framed or standing on a shelf. This workshop is aimed at beginners through to those with experience of other types of clay. The small group size means you’ll get plenty of help and attention.

No previous experience is necessary, just a love for working at a small scale. It involves fine motor skills and reasonable eyesight, or good glasses, as the elements are small (the size of a small pea, or smaller if you wish).

Kathryn Parsons is an experienced multi-disciplinary artist and qualified teacher. Her work invites deeper connection with nature, focusing on plants and histories of place. Using a variety of materials and techniques depending on the story to be told, she focuses on finding delight in noticing the small details of nature, while nurturing creativity and wellbeing. Her miniature porcelain sculptures have been exhibited at National Centre for Craft and Design, in Derby Museum’s Herbarium and at poet John Clare’s Cottage where she created a hundred porcelain plants and lichens. She teaches craft workshops in primary schools, at festivals, with community groups and nature conservation organisations such as BCN Wildlife Trust. Kathryn is also Artist in Residence with Langdyke Countryside Trust and a selected member of GroundWork Network.