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Join us for our upcoming Ceramics Markets: 4 days of handmade crafts, 200+ makers, live demos, festive food, music, and support for local artisans!

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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!

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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

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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.

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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.

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Apply here

The Turning Earth Leyton market returns during the London Design Festival. See events page for more information.

Thinking of joining a course at Turning Earth E10? We've recently put a new set online and there's something there for everyone.

Friday afternoons starting this week.

Wednesday mornings starting next week

Thursday evenings

Saturday mornings

And two one week intensives scheduled for August.

Turning Earth E10 is our new centre in Argall Ave, a secret piece of the city sandwiched between Walthamstow and Clapton just near the new Lea Bridge Road station. The studio is one of London's beautiful hidden worlds, and a great space for a creative retreat.

Working with clay has been proven to make you feel calmer and happier, and can create the space you need to change your life for the better (It worked for all of us).

Through the class you will learn simple techniques to make ceramic work by hand and using the potter's wheel.

SIGN UP NOW

One-week intensive summer course

Due to popular demand, we will be holding some one-week intensive ceramics courses during the August holidays.

We've crammed the content of our 12-week course - plus some extras - into a single week. It's a great way to get going in the craft quickly without the long term commitment of a weekly time slot.

Plan a mini London 'claycation' and get creative in our beautiful East London studio.

Please note, to facilitate ample time for firing, a glazing workshop will be held the weekend after the course

When you 'graduate' you'll have all the tools you need to become a studio member and come and go at times that suit you.

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