July 25, 2023
Heartbreak this month, we are losing a dear brother after 10 years of devoted service to the members and students of our Hoxton branch of Turning Earth. Giuseppe, all the way back in 2013, a wee stripling, straight out of University, was a founding team member and pioneer and has been with us from the day we fired our first kiln, until the last day of June this year. Now having matured into great sophistication and strength of character, an exemplary human, he has finally decided to embark on the next stage of his career. Dammit!
Giuseppe has been a workhorse in the studio and has championed its processes and smooth running from day one with a speedy, reliable zeal; He has a keen attention to detail, takes full personal responsibility for everything he touches, and has been a firm favourite among the Turning Earth members, with his wit and charm, and zero nonsense approach (they have even made him a blue plaque to commemorate his decade of ‘discipline and tough love’- which is now presiding on the wall of his old domain: the plaster area. On top of this, they whipped together a dazzlingly sizeable fund to support him through his transition stage).
He has helped spearhead the management of many of the Turning Earth sales and events and, not least, organise the mammoth move of the learning hub, from Cremer street to Laburnum street, a feat which in itself, was gargantuan, but given the circumstances that the whole organisation had been obliged to deal with, we wouldn't have been able to do it without him!
In short, Giuseppe has embodied all of the values we strive for here at Turning Earth: Diligence, service, humour, excellence, care…; I could go on, and he has been a leader, a teacher and an inspiration for us all in this way. Indeed, these characteristics are a dream for anyone who has worked in, or had to hire a team, however, time is nigh, he says, to make it on his own, take the plunge, jump out of the familiar apron strings of the community that loves him- otherwise he’d be here for another 10 years, he says.. We wouldn’t complain about that!
Farewell then Giuseppe, we know that with such talents you will be a success in anything you choose to do; we don’t expect to be serving prized calves anytime soon. But these doors will always be open, should you need us.
You can see what this deserter is up to here:
Instagram: giuseppeparrinelloceramics
January 24, 2023
Turning Earth is recruiting final year ceramics students and recent graduates for its voluntary studio mentor programme.
Mentors provide regular on the floor technical support to members and enhance the community, in return gaining development opportunities in ceramics as well as the resources they need to work on their own projects.
The role offers 15 hours a week membership (with a surcharge to cover the cost of firing) for final year students and recent graduates of ceramics programmes (and graduates of arts programmes that have focused on ceramics) who can offer 4 hours a week as a mentor. These hours are flexible; mentors choose a slot from the rota for each week and complete their hours to unlock 15 hours personal time.
Clay projects undertaken on behalf of the studio will be tailored as far as possible to the interest of the graduate (for example glaze tests for those interested in glazing, throwing tasks for those wanting to develop as a thrower, tile making for those wanting to develop their flatware skills.) The opportunity to shadow our technicians will also benefit those wishing to develop studio management skills.
Job description
The primary role for Mentors in the studio is to support the community, providing a familiar face and a visible point of engagement, providing a friendly focus for discussion and opportunities for questions and advice. For four hours a week, Mentors will be present in the main studio area as part of their role , whilst working on ceramic projects to enhance the members studio (for example, making test tiles, wall tiles, planters, even bathroom sinks!) and simultaneously being obviously available as a point of contact to members and visitors (a mentor apron will be provided).
The key responsibility is to generate a warm, accessible working environment for members and foment a rich learning atmosphere and community spirit without pressing upon those who prefer privacy while in the studio.
The role offers the opportunity for full membership including up to 15 hours per week of studio use - outside the agreed mentoring hours - for personal projects, with only firing to be charged. Personal time however should still allow a certain amount of interfacing as an accessible persona representing the studio.
Personal attributes
This role requires strong interpersonal skills, an authentic interest in supporting the development of others, the ability to put people at ease, willingness to engage in conversations with strangers, and the confidence to facilitate small discussion groups. Applicants should have technical ceramics expertise to share, or at the least have theoretical knowledge relevant for studio members (such as a knowledge of ceramic history or portfolio development). Applicants should be committed to their own development and be a self-learner/self-starter to take advantage of the many informal learning experiences available in the studio.
Further aspects to the role will include:
Participating in member inductions, or carrying them out in full.
Ensuring cleaning policies and other studio rules are adhered to.
Undergoing training in community building.
Participating in and being part of a rota to moderate the Turning Earth Facebook group and the dedicated members' Whatsapp channel
Participating in and organising peer-learning groups
Participating in member social activities
Selling clay to members when staff members are busy.
Other details:
Firing is charged at £5 liter for glaze, bisque firing up to 40L is included.
Weekly mentoring shifts are: 6-10pm Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, 4-8 Friday, 10-2pm or 4 -8pm Saturday and Sunday, these are flexible but must be booked and undertaken before your personal time for the week is unlocked.
Requirements for application:
Be in the final year of, or within 3 years of graduating from any relevant programme. Relevant programmes include ceramics courses anywhere in the world. Graduates from related programmes who have experience in ceramics or who have taken ceramics as an element of another course will also be considered.
Less recent ceramics graduates on means tested benefits looking for a way back into the industry are also invited to apply.
The due date for application for this recruitment round is 28th February, although applicants who are available to start sooner are encouraged to apply at the earliest opportunity.
December 23, 2021
The Turning Earth Out of the Ashes series continues with an Easter Market, celebrating the launch of the new Learning Hub adjacent to our members studio in Whiston Road, Hoxton. See events page for more information.
December 23, 2021
The Turning Earth Leyton market returns during the London Design Festival. See events page for more information.
December 2, 2021
After a long wait, the Turning Earth Ceramics Markets are returning this year, as we get together to celebrate the creativity that comes from crisis and reflect on the changes to our lives and making practices that the disruption of the pandemic brought with it.
Turning Earth Leyton's much-loved Winter Market will be held on Saturday 4th and 5th December 2021. More than 70 ceramicists will sell their work direct from the studio, and there will be wheel-throwing and handbuilding demos throughout the weekend - with the option for visitors to have a go too.
A charity stall selling donated work will again raise money for charity Help Refugees. There’ll also be delicious street food, mulled wine and mince pies, as well as live music.
Come and make a day of it!
Unit C, 11 Argall Avenue
(upstairs at the back of the Mentmore building)
Leyton
E10 7QE
Nearest station, Lea Bridge
For more information see our website: www.turningearth.org/e10/events
On 18/19 December we will hold the inaugural Christmas Ceramics Market at the new Turning Earth Haringey.
More than 70 ceramicists will sell their work direct from the studio, and there will be wheel-throwing and handbuilding demos throughout the weekend - with the option for visitors to have a go too.
A stall selling donated work will raise money for local charities. There’ll also be delicious street food, mulled wine and mince pies, as well as live music.
The market will explore the theme of creativity within times of crisis, while our makers reflect on the changes to our lives and making practices that the disruption of the pandemic brought with it.
The pandemic has impacted our making practices in many ways: while some have had more time to reflect and to make, others have been thrown into childcare and had little time for themselves at all. Wheel throwers have tried handbuilding techniques when their studios were shuttered, while some other makers have turned to the kitchen cupboards to find tools to experiment with when they couldn't leave their homes.
And many, many ceramics lovers have been unable to see work in person - to examine or touch it, let alone meet the maker, as shopping moved online.
Perhaps one of the greatest gifts of the pandemic has been showing us all what we truly love, by giving us the opportunity to long for it.
We are beyond excited to finally welcome you back through our doors.
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We expect the weather to be wintery, so please make sure you’re dressed properly as we will be ventilating indoors as part of our covid safety measures. Masks are once again mandatory (unless exempt), so cover up your smile with your brightest mask. We are following rules and guidelines to ensure a wonderful, welcoming and safe market for everyone.
November 8, 2019
This year we are holding two Winter Markets - one in our Leyton centre, and the other in our original Hoxton arches.
TURNING EARTH LEYTON 30 Nov/1 Dec 12-6pm
Head over to our first market in the Turning Earth Leyton studios for ceramics from 75 makers, wheel-throwing and handbuilding demos, delicious Vietnamese Street food from Hanoi Ca Phe, glögg (Scandi-inspired mulled wine) and mince pies, and live music from Balkan klezma group Tantz. A charity stall selling donated work will raise money for charity Help Refugees.
ARGALL AVE OPEN STUDIOS
During the Turning Earth Leyton market weekend you can also browse around local businesses for the third annual Argall Ave Open Studios. Sample delicious ales from Neckstamper Brewery, get some of the city's finest pastries from Pavilion Bakery, and grab some lunch at neighbouring Lighthaus Cafe. Discover furniture from creative reclaimers ThinkFOUND and luxury designer A. White Workshop, as well as bespoke joinery from RHMB, fine woodwork from Piers Peel, and fine art framing from Dylan Shipton Frames.
TURNING EARTH HOXTON + CARVE LONDON 14/15 DEC 12-6pm
The Turning Earth Hoxton market returns on 14/15 December, with 75 different makers, this time based out of our Hoxton studios. We'll have more street food, coffee from Climpsons and live gypsy jazz from George Risk. You can watch demos in wheel throwing and other pottery techniques throughout the day with the option to have a go yourself. Buy specially donated pieces to help raise money for Hackney Migrant Centre.
The market continues at Big Sky studios next door, where an arch is being taken over by wood ware curators carve.london to showcase handmade functional wood work from some of the UK's most inspiring contemporary maker.
ABOUT CARVE.LONDON
Now in it's second year, carve.london is curated by highly regarded greenwood makers, Hackney Road’s Barn the Spoon, and Grain and Knot, one of the UK’s leading wood ware Instagram channels. 12 of the UK's best loved woodworkers will be selling small giftable items, including foraged timber homeware and beautiful basketry. London's
Greenwood Guild will demonstrate with lathes, and they'll even bring along a forge so you can get your knives sharpened in time for Christmas.
Sophie from carve.london says "This year we are so pleased to be hosting @cave.london alongside the Turning Earth Winter Market. As always, our plan is to celebrate the handmade and shine a spotlight on makers in wood. We will have some returning faces such as chairmaker Sam Cooper - whose carvings show such fine attention to detail. We will also be welcoming lots of new faces, including Geoffrey Fisher with his foraged timber homewares and Lee John Phillips, who's work came to our attention after he drew every item in his late grandads shed - he has now translated his graphic style into spoon carving. Ellie Morgan of @woodwoolwillow will have her beautiful handwoven baskets for sale alongside the work of Forge Creative, Havelock Studio, The Green Wood Guild - and of course expect the usual carvings from Barn the spoon, and Grain and Knot."
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