Over the winter, two terms of this course have been sponsored by Glasgow University's Department of Adult and Continuing Education and held in the village hall.
I had great intentions that the course would explore the fundamental changes in attitude to pottery in the last 150 years. The fusion of craft and fine art has led to ceramics being equally valued with painting and sculpture. The industrial revolution created factories to cater for the masses, isolating the craft potters who reacted by fashioning their output to suit individual needs.
In practice, my students designed their own courses with enthusiasm and a zest for `trial and error' learning. Theory was thrown to the wind as they were fired with the `hands on' experience and took off with only a few hints on simple technique. Teacher and students merged while I watched with pleasure as new, instinctive methods were shown to me.
Unconsciously, the range of pieces do illustrate the versatility of this medium. They include:
i) domestic pottery, e.g. mugs butter dish, bread crock;
ii) purely decorative items, e.g. tiles, dishes;
iii) truly expressive sculptural forms. (There must have been a hidden agenda!)
I have enjoyed these evenings very much although transporting the raw (unfired) pieces from the hall to the kiln at Cornaig was a terrible responsibility. Sweating nervously, I drove at 10mph, smoothing the cattle grid in my mind and willing the sheep not to jump: an emergency stop would easily destroy the rewards of the course.

Thanks to the Taylor's at the Dairy these tortuous trips are no longer necessary. By next winter I can offer the sequel course, 'The Introduction of the Wheel' in the pottery studio.
Thanks also to Ginny for the babysitting.

An exhibition of evening class work will be held during the summer.