Enriching your life through creative escapes

Continuously learning, exploring and nurturing personal passions and skills can fall by the wayside in the challenges and chaos of daily life. Here at Sunken Studio, our space gives you a place for self-discovery, away from the stresses of the outside world. 

Ceramics and creative pursuits offer companionship, solace and satisfaction, however that may look or feel. As our motivations to make are all different, some of our studio members have shared with us why creative escapism is so important to them and the value it brings to their lives.

The therapeutic effects of the pottery wheel 

Stress is something we’ve all come to accept as ‘part of life’. Yet the effects resulting from it are damaging to our physical, mental and social health. It’s crucial we counterbalance stress – and many of our members find that respite in the studio. 

For maker Izzy, pottery is a grounding activity and a welcome contrast to her office desk job. She finds turning pots mediative, discovering joy in creating away from the challenges of work. Other members also feel wheel work is therapeutic – Hayley enjoys the lack of pressure in the turning process, and Natalie uses pottery as a stress-relieving practice in an environment she feels brings her peace. That solace is a sentiment shared by another member, Roxanne, who uses ceramics to unwind and regain comfort within her busy life. 

The third place for connections

There’s always a space for reflective making alone at the studio. However, for those looking for companionship, our nature as a third place fosters the sense of connection within the company of others. 

For some of our makers, such as the relocators who recently shared their stories with us, the studio is a place to connect through clay. Pottery helped Mel socially and creatively after she moved from Australia due to her partner’s job, grounding her as she adapts to life in a new country. Yet the studio is not just a third place for people finding their feet in the city. Jodie, who returned to her hometown after advanced degree study, likes Sunken Studio’s inviting atmosphere, and lifelong Leeds resident Lee is always appreciative of the supportive nature of the space and the people within it. 

The space to foster growth

Our creative pursuits can often feel stifled by our everyday lives. Sunken Studio provides that space to escape the mundane and channel creative energy into ceramics. For many of our members, that outlet to discover what they can achieve through clay is a primary motivation to make. 

Katy finds joy in developing her skills in ceramics, challenging herself using new techniques. She tells us Sunken Studio is invaluable for her creative development. For Jodie, pottery is a personal growth activity beyond her work – like it is for James, who leaves his day-to-day routine behind by experimenting with new methods and materials in the studio. 

In the pursuit of achievement and goals, fulfilment and happiness are so often undervalued. At Sunken Studio, you’ll find a place to escape the everyday, where you can nurture the interests that bring joy to your life. 

If you’d like to discover how that experience could look for you, see our studio brought to life in some of our recent videos.  

Our memberships give you a creative escape within your regular routine. Get in touch if you’d like to learn more about them.