The Leach Sessions: Evening Talk with Sandy Lockwood

Date and Time: Saturday 25 April 2026, 6pm

At the St Ives Community Orchard, The Core

Join potter Sandy Lockwood for a talk about her practice as a studio potter.

The event is free but there is opportunity to have a drink and purchase pots by Sandy.

The Leach Sessions invite renowned international makers to share their approach with the wider Leach Pottery community. Each session offers a chance to learn directly from makers with a strong connection to material, process and tradition, while engaging with contemporary ways of making. The sessions create space for shared learning, conversation and hands-on making within the Leach Pottery’s working environment. This evening talk complements Sandy’s 2 day workshop

About Sandy  

Sandy was born in England of British and Argentinian parents, educated in the UK before emigrating to Australia. She is an accomplished potter who has taught and exhibited internationally. It is wonderful to have Sandy come to teach this workshop for us at the Leach Pottery.  

Sandy is known for her finely thrown functional forms, particularly her tea wares. Her work, both functional and sculptural, highlights and celebrates the clay she uses.  Sandy is one of Australia’s national treasures and her work has been exhibited internationally. We are so looking forward to hosting this workshop; it’s a rare treat to have Sandy talk in the UK.  

Sandy’s reflections:  

My ceramics practice is centred on exploration of clay and other materials, firing with wood and glazing with salt. Continuous insistent curiosity drives me along this endless path of discovery. Both functional and sculptural works are a vehicle for exploring the expressive potential of clay. It is this exploration that is the foundation of and motivation for my practice. 

I aim to allow the material qualities of clay to remain evident throughout the process. My intention to allow the clay to contribute, to have a voice and show its uniquely wide range of expressive capability. The character of clay is significant in guiding the making process. The language of clay forms my visual vocabulary. 

I began my journey with clay in 1977 working in a production studio. This was followed by formal study at what is now the National Art School. Since then, I have completed a Master’s degree and a PhD. 

My home, studio and kilns are in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia. Here I make and teach workshops on making, glazing and wood firing. 

During my career I have exhibited Australia, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, France, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, PRC, United Kingdom and USA. 

I have presented papers and teaching workshops in Australia UK, Japan, Denmark, USA, Taiwan, Korea, Hungary, Italy, France and China. 

Price: Free

Capacity: 40 (Entry on a first come first serve basis)

Please email Hamish Jackson if you have any queries, adult.programme@leachpottery.com