Hillside Pottery School

Peter trained in ceramics at Morley College in London under Duncan Hooson and Annette Welch. He set up his own studio in Iliffe Yard in London in 2009 and became a selected member of the Craft Potters’ Association in 2010. After moving from London to West Sussex, he now makes tableware and one-off decorative pieces, often using glazes made with locally sourced wood ash. He taught at Forest Row School of Ceramics for many years and really enjoys helping students to achieve their making goals.

Trained at Camberwell School of Art (1986-89), achieving a BA Hons Degree in Ceramics, Liz specialised in hand-built sculptural heads. In later years she reconnected with throwing and taught all-level throwing for Forest Row School of Ceramics for four years (2019-23). She loves seeing the excitement students feel when they have mastered the magic of making pots on the wheel. Liz has a home studio in Lingfield, Surrey and makes work on commission and sells direct at local trade events.

Elaine Bolt is a ceramic and mixed media artist based in Sussex, making hand-built and thrown pieces in stoneware and porcelain. Elaine has enjoyed making with clay since childhood and completed an MA in Ceramics at UCA Farnham in 2012. She has since exhibited her ceramics in galleries across the UK and at national craft events including Crafts Council’s Collect. Elaine has taught ceramics at venues across the south east including the University of Brighton, Forest Row School of Ceramics, West Dean College, and at her own studio near Ditchling.

Debbie is an experienced thrower, painter, printmaker, and all round craft person. She has attended many advanced ceramics courses over the years and as a tutor, likes to encourage her students to try new challenges, both in form and in decoration. She has her own studio at home, but loves to teach. Originally a geologist by training, she is also very interested in working with different types of clay and surface decoration.  

Claire's career as a Graphic Designer and Illustrator inspires her use of surface pattern, texture and colour in her Ceramics. She has taken master classes and advanced courses in wheel throwing, sculpture, glaze chemistry, kiln firing and decorating techniques and enjoys sharing her knowledge with students.

She is a member of the Southern Ceramics Group and teaches in Brighton, Forest Row and her own studio in Storrington. Her work is sold through commissions, in galleries, and her own website and she participates in Brighton Artists Open Houses twice a year.

Alisha holds a Bachelor of Arts with first - class honours in Ceramics from Cardiff Metropolitan University. She has a passion for throwing, hand -building and sculpting as well as glaze chemistry.and loves to utilise craftsmanship in addition to more expressive and contemporary making methods. Alisha is keen to share her creativity, passion and technical skill with others, helping them on their own ceramic journeys. Alisha is also one of our technicians. 

Fatima started pottery as a hobby and attended adult education classes at Richmond College London in her thirties.  After a long break, she joined Katrina Pechal’s class at Forest Row School of Ceramics in 2019 and hasn’t looked back. 

Fatima has attended various courses in ceramics and is excited by the endless creative possibilities presented with clay.

Apart from making  pottery in her home studio,  she also runs Hillside Pottery School  with Debbie Ware.