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Sonya Ceramic Art

Contact name: Sonya Wilkins
2
Total bookings
Rating
(11)
over 5 years
with CraftCourses

Maker's bio

In 1995 I qualified in ceramics BA (Hons) at Bristol Polytechnic. After combining my love of art with a career in people development and starting a family, I went to teach ceramics p/t at Clifton High School. Here I offered pottery clubs to all year groups. I so loved working with clay again I decided to focus my full attention on becoming a professional ceramic artist in 2014. Now I produce from my home studio in Bristol and offer pottery & clay therapy tuition to both children & adults.

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Recent reviews

All maker's reviews
23 Jan 20'

Sophie reviewed: Pottery Tuition ~ Learn how to Throw on the Potter's Wheel, Slab-build and Coil in 1 Full Day's Attentive Teaching

"I had a session with Sonya at the weekend and found it great fun. Having not done pottery for many years, I was able to learn some new skills to support throwing on the wheel. Sonya was very encouraging and enabled me to explore and learn from my mistakes, which I believe is the very best way to learn. Sonya demonstrated clearly and enabled us to then have time to make several pots of our own. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and can highly recommend Sonya as a great teacher. Thank you Sonya for giving us a great creative and mindful experience!"

Sonya Ceramic Art responded:

"Hi Sophie Thank you for writing your review, it's great to hear that you enjoyed it so much and I am complimented that you found my teaching approach effective seeing that you are a teacher also! I was impressed how well you connected with the clay, took time to wait for its response and remembered each stage of the process. You looked very natural at the wheel so I hope you will get the chance to do more throwing as it certainly suited you! I will look forward to seeing you again in a couple of weeks when you collect your pots. In the meantime, if you would like to come back to decorate them with the cobalt oxide (blue colour) that we discussed, then please do let me know. I will be firing your pots today or tomorrow to biscuit ware. So they would be ready for glazing next week. Best Wishes, Sonya."

22 Jan 20'

jon nicholls reviewed: Pottery Tuition ~ Learn how to Throw on the Potter's Wheel, Slab-build and Coil in 1 Full Day's Attentive Teaching

"Sophie and I attend a 121 pottery class with Sonya this weekend. I have to say it was a while since I did any pottery throwing, so was a little apprehensive. However Sonya was brilliant, she took us through a demonstration and then asked us to try it out...very mindful and tactile experience. We even managed to produce a couple of pots each - hope they don't explode in the kiln! Sonya is very knowledgeable about all aspects of pottery, glazing etc. and I would thoroughly recommend her course...even if it's just for the fun element. Thanks Sonya"

Sonya Ceramic Art responded:

"Dear Jon, Thank you for your enthusiastic review. I very much enjoyed showing you and Sophie the different techniques of throwing and helping you both start to build a 'personal formula' for the different hand positions. You both did so well to produce 5 pieces in total which I will be gazing for you as momentous of the experience. Your pieces should be ready in the next couple of weeks so I will be in contact then. Best Wishes, Sonya :-)"

24 Nov 19'

Elizabeth Talbot reviewed: Pottery Tuition ~ Learn how to Throw on the Potter's Wheel, Slab-build and Coil in 1 Full Day's Attentive Teaching

"Sonya is amazing! Not only is she very knowledgeable about ceramics, but also a fantastic teacher and lovely person. My teenage daughter has had weekly lessons which she has used as her skill for her DofE Bronze Award. Sonya has demonstrated and given guidance on a variety of methods and allowed my daughter (who is left handed) to find techniques that she is comfortable with, making the sessions fun and productive without any pressure. She has produced numerous pieces, including a set of mugs, bowls & coasters and is keen to learn more. Thanks Sonya."

Sonya Ceramic Art responded:

"Dear Elizabeth and Emilia, Thank you for your review. I am so pleased to have spent the time with Emilia over the past 12 weeks. She has been a pleasure to teach and it's been rewarding to see her relax in to the sessions and benefit from the therapeutic aspects of working with clay as well as picking up the techniques so well. I wish her every success in completing her Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award. I'm sure she will pass with flying colours! Best Wishes, Sonya."

11 Aug 19'

Hala Lloyd reviewed: Pottery Tuition ~ Learn how to Throw on the Potter's Wheel, Slab-build and Coil in 1 Full Day's Attentive Teaching

"I ended up at Sonya’s studio, having been let down by a last minute cancellation at a group workshop elsewhere, and I’m so very glad that happened! I had a tremendous day which positively flew by! Sonya is very warm, welcoming and accommodating. The 1-1 set up for the day was structured yet flexible and I was able to try my hand at throwing, which I’d always wanted to do and thoroughly enjoyed even if I didn’t end up with anything resembling a pot! Significantly, I was able to produce a built up wall plaque, which is a very important project to me, and which I’ll be going back to add glaze and lustre to. I’m really looking forward to learning these next stages and have no doubt Sonya will ensure the experience is informative, personal and fun ! What more could I ask for!"

Sonya Ceramic Art responded:

"Dear Hala, I'm so very pleased you enjoyed the 1 day workshop with me. It was a pleasure helping you build your wall plaque from an initial idea into reality. It's not often that a student comes with such a clear idea of what they want to create, and with so much authentic detailing. It was mesmerising to see how your piece evolved over the day and I'm so looking forward to helping you put on the final touches with glaze and lustre. I see another ceramicist in the making! Best Wishes, Sonya."

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