Pots for Trelya

A collection of co-produced pots by children, young people and adults at Trelya.

I loved making these - we got into a rhythm - a production line…another and another!

Participants from the Leach Pottery Community Programme.

Participants from Trelya worked with the Leach Pottery to design and create a co-produced tableware range. Children, young people and adults all took part in the project. Trelya is a charity based on the Treneere estate in Penzance who support children and their families through health and wellbeing programmes. The Leach Pottery works in partnership with Trelya to offer creative workshops to the families who use their services.

The designs of the cups and small pots are informed by the needs of the Trelya Café so the resulting pieces can be used during everyday service.

The Leach Pottery Apprentice, Ellie Woods, met with a small group of young people to talk through the ideal design for the cups. The participants advised on the shape of the vessels – from the curve to the size of the pieces. Once shapes were refined, Ellie made the pots on the wheel at the Leach Pottery. Each of the pots were stamped with a potter’s stamp which was also designed by the participants. The stamp plays on the shape of the letter “T” for Trelya which is formed by two stickman-like figures. The two dots on either side of the symbol reference the collaboration with the Leach Pottery, echoing the two dots of the Leach Pottery’s stamp.

The pots were then decorated by the participants at Trelya. Some sessions were for the children alone while others were for the adults and children to make together. The participants played with different decorative approaches, exploring different uses of brushes and then considering how to decorate the pots using slip. Once the participants brushed the pots with slip they were then able to carve and draw into this surface to expose the clay surface underneath. The pots were then gas fired at the Leach Pottery using the celadon glaze.

This project was part of a pilot project for the National Heritage Lottery which explores how co-production within community settings can be successful. With thanks to the participants and staff of Trelya and potters Ellie Woods and John McKenzie.