Cyan Clayworks is a newly established ceramic studio and teaching facility based in Edinburgh, setup by resident makers Fiona Thompson and Chris Donnelly.  

Fiona Thompson established her first studio in 1995 after graduating from ECA. She makes and exhibits hand-built printed ceramic pieces, along with teaching, commissions, writing and collaborative projects. Find out more about Fiona at: www.fionathompsonceramics.co.uk

Chris Donnelly studied in Canada in the mid-1990s. His diverse practice includes teaching and making work in Taiwan. He has been based in Edinburgh for the last nine years and makes contemporary wheel thrown printed tableware.  Find out more about Chris at: www.chrisdonnellyceramics.co.uk

Recently, Fiona and Chris decided it was time for a change and to expand their individual practices by taking on a larger shared space. Their studio is in a newly renovated shared building, Beaverhall House, which is home to numerous other artists, designers, and small businesses.  

Along with workspaces for Fiona and Chris, the Cyan Clayworks studio has dedicated teaching space for regular classes, and an ‘open access’ facility for keen amateur makers, students and other artists. 

Cyan Clayworks is intended to be a hub of creative activity, a place for learning and collaboration. Fiona and Chris would like the studio to enable more people to participate in ceramics, utilising their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm. 

There will be the opportunity to join short taster session as a brief introduction to clay, sign up for a block of sessions, or a weekend workshop. One to one tuition will also be provided. Find out about the Ceramic Taster Sessions running at Cyan Clayworks until the end of August 2012. 

Fiona and Chris both feel it will benefit their own work immensely by being in this new space and hope to be involved with much larger projects and collaborations in future.

You can find out more about what is on offer by browsing the Cyan Clayworks website: www.cyanclayworks.co.uk

Pictured top: Fiona Thompson - Plate Albertan Animal series

Pictured middle: Chris Donnelly - Starcloud Charger plate