We are building Clay Community.
What are we about?
The Clay Project is the brainchild of local ceramicists Rebecca Killen & Laureanne Kootstra. Founded in late 2021, The Clay Project combines our passion for ceramics and love of teaching new creative skills through collaborative workshops.
We are building a clay community with and for other makers, creatives, ceramicists those new to learning about ceramics.
We place value in supporting local business and where possible we source our materials and products from independent and small companies.
We are currently working with local potter Adrian McColgan who creates the beautiful bisc ware for our decorating workshops.
We like to explore the therapeutic qualities of clay.
Why ceramics?
From decorating functional ceramic pieces to getting your hands submerged in clay through hand building, sculpture, casting and printing, we provide the opportunity for you to enjoy the versatility of ceramics.
We want to emphasise the importance of taking space and time out to explore your own creativity as we believe that every person is creative. We strive to help you (re)discover this part of yourself by guiding you through the creative process and by facilitating your exploration of the therapeutic qualities of ceramics.
After our workshop you will have a ceramic piece that you have decorated or made with your own two hands. But foremost we want you to enjoy the process of imagination, designing and creating.
Join our Clay Community!
Introducing… Rebecca Killen
Hello!
I first touched clay over 20 years ago and have been hooked on the material ever since. A passionate school teacher introduced me to ceramics and I continued on my creative journey, studying ceramics at Ulster University, Belfast School of Art.
After graduating, my career naturally progressed into setting up my own business, designing, making and selling a ceramic product line for Rebecca Killen Ceramics.
My work has sold in Ireland’s most prestigious department stores, beautiful independent design outlets and craft galleries across the U.K and Ireland. I even had a stockist in Japan at one point.
Whilst working on wholesale orders, I’ve also had the privilege of teaching ceramics both in further education and through a wide variety of workshops. Sharing what I know about clay has always been a passion of mine.
Introducing… Laureanne Kootstra
Hello!
Laureanne Kootstra originates from the Netherlands but moved in 2021 to Northern Ireland. The last 10 years she was based in Berlin, Germany.
Germany has a thriving porcelain history and this is where she got in contact with ceramics and specifically porcelain.
Her style could be described as simple shapes, bold colours and combining traditional and modern craft.
She studied Product Design at the University of Art in Berlin and focussed here on porcelain, slipcasting and mouldmaking. She got taught by designer Ineke Hans, Ceramicist Reiko Kaneko and her porcelain master Uta Koloczek.
She had exhibitions in Berlin and Milan. Her porcelain ware was sold through her own online shop and she had several stockist in Berlin but also in London.