About us
Founded in 2017 by Chris Taylor and Lauren Gray. “Our journey began with a shared passion for ceramics and teaching. We first crossed paths at Dartington Pottery in 2003 during our apprenticeship, where we quickly realised our complementary skills could pave the way for a thriving pottery studio.”
After completing our teacher training and feeling disillusioned with the further education system, we took a leap of faith and moved to the landscapes of South West Scotland. This decision allowed us to fulfill our dream of creating a ceramics teaching business in a beautiful, rural setting.
Nestled within the stunning grounds of the Crichton Estate, Clay Works Studios has blossomed into a vibrant community of potters and makers. Our studio is a welcoming space where enthusiasts come regularly to indulge in their love for clay.
We are particularly proud of our Intensive Wheel Throwing Courses, which have gained an excellent reputation and attract participants from across the UK and beyond. With our expertise in production throwing, we’re dedicated to sharing our knowledge and helping you develop your skills at the wheel. Join us and discover the joy of creating with clay and being in our studio.
Lauren Taylor
FOUNDER
Lauren graduated from Glasgow School of Art with BA (hons) Ceramics in 2000. Following this she worked for Dalton Pottery in Dumfries & Galloway, assisting people to throw pots and helping with the production of their slipcast ceramics. Whilst traveling in Australia she worked for various potters making functional Pottery on the wheel. On return Lauren moved to Totnes in Devon to work as an Apprentice at Dartington Pottery. Here she gained in depth practical knowledge of pottery workshop practice . Lauren went on to work as Production Thrower for Dartington Pottery until she moved to North Devon to work as Ceramics technician and recreational Teacher at North Devon College. Whilst working at the College she also completed PCET Teacher training qualification.
Since the birth of her first Daughter in 2008, Lauren has been mainly working as a mother, whilst also making pots and doing pencil Portraits.
Lauren exhibited her porcelain vases as part of Spring Fling 2012, and has exhibited her Ceramics since at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries.
Instagram. @graysceramics
Chris Taylor
FOUNDER
After graduating from the University of the West of England in 1999 Chris became an apprentice at Dartington Pottery, Totnes. On completion of his apprenticeship he went on to work for several potters around the UK before beginning to develop his own range of tableware in 2005.
In 2006 Chris became potter in residence at the Beaford Arts Centre where he worked until its closure in 2013.
In 2009 Chris began studying for an MA in Ceramics and Glass at the Royal College of Art graduating in 2011. It was during this period of study that Chris’ work evolved in to the heavily decorated and layered work seen today.
In recent years Chris has won several awards for his work and exhibits across the UK in a variety of galleries and live events.In recent years Chris has worked as lecturer of Ceramics at Plymouth College of Art across the BA and MA programs.
Instagram. @c.taylor.design
Jenny Finch
CERAMIC TUTOR
Born in 1962 in Essex, always knowing I wanted to lead an artistic life.
I followed my wonderful art foundation course at Colchester with a degree in ceramics at Birmingham Poly. I founded Dalton Pottery in 1989 with my late husband Geoff and we enjoyed over 25 happy years working together and raising two brilliant sons.
They say that the only thing you can be sure of in life, is that it will keep changing. Some of those changes are very hard, and I have found the one thing that always gets me through those challenges is my creativity and the creative community.
Chris and Lauren have built such a wonderful resource at Clayworks and I am proud to be part of the team. One of the most rewarding things about spending a lifetime understanding the medium of clay, is passing on those skills to those who are just discovering how meditative and rewarding it is to work with.
Whether painting, potting, sculpting, writing, or teaching I hope to never stop pushing the boundaries and challenging myself to be the best I can.
Instagram. @jennyfinch.co
