Meet The Team

Celebrating Ceramics is an artist led event organised by Craft In Focus with the experienced assistance of the following team.

© Craig Underhill

Profile - Craig Underhill

It’s a privilege to be part of the Celebrating Ceramics panel. I have been taking part in Ceramic Fairs across the UK since 2004 and this has given me an insight into the different ways that they work and what makes a fair successful. I care passionately about Studio Ceramics and really understand the importance of nurturing new talent but also recognizing excellence and new developments in more experienced makers’ work.

I graduated from the Harrow Ceramics Course in 1989 and from Portsmouth Polytechnic in 1990. Since then I have been making my work in various studios in the Midlands while teaching part time. More recently I have given up my teaching and relocated my studio to Cornwall where I also have a small gallery. I exhibit and sell my work in galleries across the country and abroad. I regularly take part in Ceramic Fairs and deliver workshops from my own and other studios and have become increasingly interested at the possibilities of using social media to promote and sell my work.

© Clare Wakefield

Profile - Clare Wakefield

I have been exhibiting my ceramics at shows across Europe and the UK, and held a ceramics workshop in India, since I graduated in 1991. I was also fortunate to have been able to be a part of 'Art in Action'. These experiences have given me a wonderful insight into how a show combines all elements to be able to perform at its full potential. It is wonderful to now be a part of the team for Celebrating Ceramics. I look forward to helping maintain the show's high standards and assisting wherever improvements can be made to keep this show one of the best.

I am always very enthused to look at the huge variety of ceramic work every time I'm at ceramic shows marvelling at the skill, thought and creativity that have combined to bring the work into being. I will enjoy helping facilitate the smooth running of future shows, to provide the very best for the customer and exhibitors, so that all have a wonderful experience at another great 'Celebrating Ceramics' show set within the stunning 'Waterperry House and Gardens'.

© Ian Morrison

Profile - Ian Morrison

I’m so pleased to have been asked to join the selection panel for Celebrating Ceramics and look forward to helping keep it one of the finest ceramic shows in the country. Having grown up and learned about clay in North America, I hope that I will bring a unique perspective to the team. I have been making domestic pots since 1999, in that time I have mainly produced functional work but did spend many years working with an abstract expressionist who opened my eyes to another side of clay. I have fired pots in tiny electric kilns, large Japanese wood fired kilns, and everything in between giving me a very well rounded appreciation for the various processes makers use.

I came to the UK in 2014 to work as a production thrower at the Leach Pottery and stayed to build Knighton Mill Pottery in 2016. I produce a large salt glaze range of domestic ware now and will bring an eye for craftsmanship and function to the panel. I have taken part in many of the best ceramics shows this country has to offer including having been at Celebrating Ceramics since it began. This show has always been of the highest calibre and I aim to keep it that way.

© Sarah Michael

Profile - Sarah Michael

I've been working in ceramics for over 30 years and have had the pleasure of participating in about eight ceramic shows across Europe, and even one in China! In addition to exhibiting, I've also organised a biannual ceramic fair "Clay2Day" in Holland five times, the last one being in 2015.

I understand the importance of maintaining high standards and offering a diverse range of work for customers.

I’ve had the privilege of taking part in Celebrating Ceramics twice now and remain in awe of its stunning setting. Having lived in the tulip region of Holland for 40 years, where the landscape is breathtaking for just a few weeks each year, I’m thrilled to be part of the Celebrating Ceramics team!

Profile - Sherry Moran (Creative Director)

I have loved ceramics as an art form for as long as I can recall and my parents bought me my first ‘bowl’ at a fund raising event when I was 16. But it was when I was working in Japan 35 years ago, producing a business documentary, that I began collecting on my frequent trips to Kyoto and Mashiko. 

Every time I passed a beautiful piece I couldn’t help but touch it and an antique dealer in Kyoto said ‘that was the sign of a collector’. My crew had to lovingly help carry back all the treasures I had found, on top of our equipment!

When I moved to London from New York, I was asked to be the curator of the Ceramics section of Art in Action, held at Waterperry Gardens.  This opportunity was a pure labour of love since we were all volunteers.  But during the 26 years that I curated the Ceramics tent, I met and got to know potters (ceramics artists) from all over the UK and Europe. 

It was a privilege to call them friends and it was because of these relationships that I again volunteered to help bring a quality ceramics show at Waterperry gardens to the public.

Profile - Rob Chapman (Craft In Focus) Event Co-ordinator

Craft in Focus was launched in 2000 by Rob Chapman, then a Woodturner, now head co-ordinator of the events.  Craft in Focus stages nine events across the UK, mostly in the South East, including the UK’s most popular Designer Craft Fair at RHS Garden Wisley. 

They are also used to staging solo discipline events, such as the Desire Fairs focussing on Jewellery and Silversmithing.  One of the key aspects to their success has been to treat makers, and visitors, with respect and understand the lifestyle the artists lead. 

As a former maker, Rob Chapman  was able to address what the maker wanted from an event.  In addition the selection of the exhibitors has always been key to ensure the makers show flair and originality in their work, and the work they present is always from their own workshops as well as being of the highest quality.

Visitor Feedback

  • “The ceramics here are of the highest class and the variety is wide and inspiring."
    Eileen Boden, Wembley

  • “I am very impressed by the very high standard/quality of all the exhibitors. The event has a nice feel to it and I will certainly be looking out for other Craft In Focus events.”
    Lesley Catling, Wheatley, Oxfordshire

  • “It was a lovely show. Well laid out. Exhibitors smiley because they appeared to have been well looked after. Good selection of refreshments. Good atmosphere.”
    Alison Berman, Oxford

  • “This work is outstanding in expression, form, emotional engagement. Exceptional.”
    Annie Lynch, Long Harborough, Oxfordshire

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