The Leach Pottery was
reopened after a major restoration project in March
2008. These pictures, which were taken a couple of
weeks later show the work that has been undertaken
and hopefully give the viewer an idea of the way in
which the pottery hopes to carry on the work started
by Bernard Leach in the early twentieth century.
When I last visited St. Ives the
pottery looked in a sorry state, its transformation
is now complete. The pottery cottage looks much the
same but the pottery buildings have been redeveloped
and the old showroom or shed has gone and has been
replaced by an exhibition cube. At the rear of the
site are the new pottery workshops which are accessed
via wooden walkways, a Japanese style white gravel
garden fills the central space. Three new kilns have
been built at the end of the car park, these will
soon be producing a new range of standard ware and
individual pots.
A permanent exhibition entitled The
Bernard Leach Story is housed in the exhibition
cube. A single large showcase with wonderful pots
is complimented by a biographical timeline detailing
the life of the great man. The pottery cottage is
used as a shop and gallery space which will be used
for visiting exhibitions. The inaugural exhibition
features the work of John Leach and runs until April
12th 2008. Also for sale in the shop is a range of
pots by British makers including an area dedicated
to local Cornish potters featuring the work of ex-Leach
potters Amanda Brier and Joanna Wason.
Inside the pottery building is a
new reception area leading to the old kiln and pottery
rooms which apart from necessary structural work have
been left exactly as they were before the restoration
took place. Walking through this area was the highlight
of my visit, so good to be able to stand next to the
old fireplace where Bernard entertained his students
and to see the old climbing kiln.
At the time of writing, the feel
is that of a museum, no doubt that will soon change
when production commences under Lead Potter Jack Doherty
and the new training programme gets underway.
September 2008 Update
When I visited in September 2008,
Lead Potter Jack Doherty told me that a new range
of standard ware is to be produced by two young potters
who have recently joined the team. At first small
items such as mugs will be made and hopefully in the
course of time a range of wares.
Old
Standard Ware Range
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