A critical part of making is how we think, question, and evolve. But outside of formal education or professional practice, where do you find those deep, exploratory conversations? How do you access the insights that shape a maker’s practice, decisions, and creative direction - the missteps as well as the breakthroughs?

Our Enrichment Programme is designed to provide those missing conversations, connecting emerging makers with established practitioners who share their experience, knowledge, and working methodologies. Through a series of events and talks, this programme creates an opportunity to engage with process-driven practice, explore new techniques, and gain insight into different career paths within ceramics.

Each visiting maker will host two conversational demonstrations and an evening talk, allowing participants to observe, ask questions, and explore their methods, techniques, and ways of thinking. 

Friday evening talks offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from makers about their experiences, challenges, and approaches to craft. If you’re looking for a way to connect with highly experienced levels of insight, these sessions are for you.

Booking is now open - secure your place below.

More about this year’s makers

Eren Armitage

Originally from Yokohama, Japan, and now based in Harrogate, Eren Armitage is a ceramicist whose work merges Japanese tradition with the landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales. Her wheel-thrown and hand-carved stoneware vessels reflect a deep connection to nature, designed to bring a sense of tranquility and ritual into daily life.

Eren’s practice blends form and function, with a particular focus on tea wares, repetitive throwing, and refining technique through discipline. She works closely with natural textures and subtle glazes to create pieces that encourage slow, mindful use. Alongside her studio practice, she shares her expertise through workshops and mentorship, exploring the intersection of craftsmanship, creativity, and sustainability.

Reiko Kaneko

Working between London and Stoke-on-Trent, Reiko Kaneko’s practice spans multiple disciplines within ceramics, seamlessly blending industrial precision with organic imperfection. She is known for her collaborations with high-end restaurants, including The Fat Duck, where she creates refined, functional tableware. At the same time, she embraces wabi-sabi principles, exploring Kintsugi and the beauty of imperfection. Her work with the London Flower School and her experimentation with the pâte-sur-pâte technique further showcase her versatility. With a deep interest in creativity and education, Reiko balances commercial projects with teaching, continuously pushing the boundaries of material, form, and concept, focusing on developing the skills needed to be a thoughtful and productive creative practitioner.

James & Tilla Waters

Based in Carmarthenshire, Wales, James and Tilla Waters create highly refined, functional pottery that balances precision with warmth. They met while apprenticing with ceramicist Rupert Spira in the late 1990s, an experience that shaped their commitment to craftsmanship and material understanding. Working together since 2002, their practice is a true collaboration - James focuses on throwing, while Tilla leads the design, ensuring a seamless fusion of form and surface. Influenced by their backgrounds in painting, their work is thoughtfully crafted for everyday use, bringing a quiet elegance to the table. Their pieces have been widely exhibited, including at the V&A Museum and Fortnum & Mason, and reflect a deep commitment to craftsmanship, longevity, and the tactile beauty of handmade objects.