About Us

Clay Shed was founded in 2019 as a centre for ceramics practice in Bristol and the Southwest of England.

The studio is run by three director-cofounders with over 50 years combined experience in ceramics. Our education programme is supported by practicing artists and industry professionals. 

Alice Shields

MA & BA (Hons) Ceramics

Cofounder, Throwing Tutor

Alice received her MA and BA (Hons) ceramic degree from Bath School of Art and Design. She spent 10 years exhibiting her work across the UK working with galleries including the Southbank Centre and Royal Academy of Arts. Alice has taught ceramics in adult education since 2019. She is a part-time lecturer at Bath College and was visiting-lecturer at Bath School of Art and Design in 2020. As well as teaching beginners throwing at Clay Shed, Alice curates and facilitates Clay Shed's ongoing programme of Clay Talks.

Louise Blois

MA & BA(Hons) Ceramics

Cofounder, Events Tutor

Louise received her BA (Hons) degree in ceramics from Camberwell School of Art in 1993 and has studied in the USA at Alfred University and Kansas City Art Institute. She went on to complete her MA degree in ceramics at the University of Wales, Cardiff in the late 1990’s. 

Louise has spent many years working as a stylist in the retail industry and now holds the position of Ceramic Technician at Bath Spa University (BSU). She has been a visiting artist at Badminton School, supports the academic staff and students at BSU, teaches members and co-ordinates group events at Clay Shed.

Steven Gatrell Sales

MA ceramics, PGCE Secondary Education, BA (Hons) Fine Art

Cofounder, Education Programme Coordinator

Steven completed his masters degree in 2018 graduating from Bath School of Art and Design with a distinction in Design: Ceramics. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including at the British Ceramic Biennial and Steinbeisser. 

Steven is a qualified teacher and has worked in arts education for over a decade. He has taught across various settings including, secondary education, community groups and higher education. He has been a visiting lecturer at Bath Spa University in 2020 and 2021.

The Team

Visiting Tutors

Our visiting tutors deliver workshops focused on their unique processes and techniques. We’ve welcomed a host of potters, artists and designers from across the UK who work with clay.

We Have Green Values

We recognise that working with clay has environmental and ethical impacts. As such we’re constantly reviewing our practices to continue reducing our use of energy, materials and water.

• We reclaim all clay, reducing waste and recycling useable materials

• Our classes use earthenware clay which requires less energy from the kiln to reach its maturing temperature

• We’ve stopped using virgin cobalt oxide in our courses due to the unethical extraction practices

• We’ve shortened the firing duration of our kilns, reducing our energy consumption

• We use energy efficient LED lighting

• Our communal tables are made from ethically sourced spruce

• We use eco friendly cleaning products  

• We’re reducing our use of tools and materials which contain products from animals -  including sponges, leather and paintbrushes

• We’re reducing water waste by retaining tool cleaning water