President’s Symposium, May 2023

The subject of our 2023 Symposium is

Devon’s Ceramic Heritage

Hosted by our 2022-23 President, Professor John Mather, it was held on Saturday 13 May 2023 at Petroc College, Tiverton.

A ceramics industry, based on local high-quality clay deposits, has existed in Devon since the Iron Age. During the 17th century a cottage industry produced hand-made pots for local use and for the new American colonies. Towards the end of the 19th century Devon became known for its art pottery, sold in elegant London stores. However, by 1920, easy access to mass-produced products saw the demise of most of these traditional potteries. Handmade pottery was left in the hands of studio potters – artist/craftsmen working individually or in small teams – some of the best of whom made Devon their home. Speakers at the symposium will explore this ceramic history, with a final look at what the future may hold.

Programme

We had to make a late change due to the indisposition of Lewis Bond. Fred Nichols kindly offered to step in with a lecture on puzzle jugs, as shown below.

9:30 – 10.00am	REGISTRATION and COFFEE
10:00 – 10:05am	Welcome and introduction	Sue Andrew, DA Chair
10:05 – 10:45am	The fiery journey from Devon Clay to ceramic art or functional pot	John Mather, DA President
10:45 – 11:20am	North Devon Sgraffito-ware: pottery shapes, their distinctive decoration and trade with the North American Colonies	Sadie Green, Independent Ceramic Researcher
11:20 – 11:50am	BREAK
11:50 – 12:25pm	The Art Potters of Barnstaple	Alison Mills, Manager, Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
12:25 – 1pm	Puzzle jugs: the story in Devon	Fred Nichols, Ceramics collector and researcher, Topsham
1 – 2.15pm	LUNCH
2:15 – 2:50pm	Devon and the Studio Pottery Movement	Sally Ayres, Assistant Curator, RAMM Exeter
2:50 – 3:25pm	Tim Andrews – 45 years in clay	Tim Andrews, Honorary President, West Country Potter’s Association
3:25 – 4pm	Historic influences, current trends, future prospects	Rupert Johnstone, RAMP Ceramics, Silverton
4pm	TEA and DEPART