Anglian Potters Spring UP @ Ferini 2026

In the Ceramics Community a “new potter“ is not identified by how long since they first found clay, but by their wide eyed amazement at the variety of making methods, firing techniques and finished effects, and by an enthusiasm to try them all.

As time goes by, your new potter develops a passion for one specialism. Their ceramic ideas become laser focused on perfecting the techniques needed for their chosen area of ceramics. This change is widely seen as a step into becoming a mature ceramic artist and a necessary refinement to developing a deeper skill set and a coherent voice or look for their work.

However in reflecting on my own recent practice, and thinking more deeply about other potters around me, I have come to see that the path from many enthusiasms to one specialism is not the only path to growth.

Ann Hebden has been exhibiting her stoneware work at Ferini Art Gallery in the last 2 spring exhibitions. In the AP Spring Up Ferini 2026 exhibition we will see the new body of porcelain work. I asked Ann what lay behind this shift.

“I started off hand building forty years ago. Then switched to throwing in porcelain 8 to 10 years ago. In conversation with an experienced Anglian Potter about some of the issues I had with porcelain, she suggested I try stoneware as it is more forgiving. She was right. There is no doubt that the three years working with stoneware has informed my technique and understanding of what clay can be made to do and that is now translating to the recent work with porcelain. My years working with stoneware has increased my confidence with porcelain and how far I can push it.”

My own practice has also evolved. 3 years ago I was exclusively making thrown pieces. I now spend days on elaborate hand build pieces. One of the most beneficial aspects I have found is that hand building gives me more time for the consideration of form during and after making. When throwing the design of a piece is largely decided on in advance with only a modest period for adjustment after the throwing is done. I am also enjoying the freedoms and challenges of working on similar pieces in very different scales. 

Ann and I have both found different clays and different techniques have their own lessons to teach us, we have both found growth though change as well as through specialism.