Welcome to Anglian Potters

Originally founded as the East Anglian Potters Association (EAPA) in 1983, a group of professional potters came together to represent all that is best in East Anglian ceramics. Since its creation, the association has grown in membership to over 300. In May 2005, we shortened our name to Anglian Potters (AP) and started a process of refreshing our image. Anglian Potters is a forward-looking organisation always trying to offer new benefits to its members.

It is now made up of potters making a broad range of functional ware, or ceramic sculpture, collectors of studio pottery and a few pyromaniacs! Anglian Potters is a lively and thriving organisation that aims to provide the opportunity for members to meet and share their experience and enthusiasm.

The benefits of membership include

• a quarterly NEWSLETTER
• regular DEMONSTRATION DAYS
• open and selected EXHIBITIONS and EVENTS
• annual POTTERS CAMP

A SELECTED MEMBERSHIP category provides a strong KNOWLEDGE BASE that offers support and guidance to the wider membership.

Anglian Potters welcomes anyone with an interest in clay, makers or non makers, students or advanced, even pottery groups. Amongst the many benefits of becoming a member of Anglian Potters is the opportunity to show your work in the “open” exhibitions. We recognise that for those who are just starting out as makers, and are still finding their way in terms of skills and knowledge, exhibiting can be a daunting business.  Is my work good enough? Am I ready to show what I make?

Friends and family may be encouraging, but possibly biased in their views (or even just being kind) so may not be best placed to offer you the advice you need.   You can of course visit one of our exhibitions and make judgements on the standard of work of your fellow members. If you think, “I could do better than that”, then maybe you should try!

Another option is to use the support offered by some of the Selected Members who willingly offer help and encouragement to any member seeking advice about their work.  These reviews are informal but can offer guidance on how you might progress your skills or might suggest areas to which you could give further consideration. The outcome should help you decide if you are ready to expose your work to a wider public.

The best time to arrange a review is at one of the demonstration days, when there will be more selected members present.  A short meeting just after lunch is the usual pattern.

The Selected Membership provides Anglian Potters with a broad knowledge base, and those willing to give advice on many skill-based areas give their contact details in the newsletter. 

Members who are looking to apply for selected membership are also advised to have a review of their work prior to making a formal application. This can be arranged through the Selected Members Secretary.

Applications can only be accepted from those who have been a member for at least a year and have shown work in the annual open exhibitions. As a guide, the qualities the selection committee will be looking for will include: 

• Demonstration of competence and employment of relevant skills/knowledge.
• A personal approach that is not directly derivative of another maker. 
• A good understanding of any functional aspects, and how they might relate to the overall form.
• Evidence that aesthetic consideration have been given to the form, surface decoration where applied, (including glaze) and finish. 
• A commitment to contribute to the broader activities organised by Anglian Potters.