After Throwing Shapes

It’s been over two weeks since I was up in Dublin for the Throwing Shapes Spring market which is VERY hard to believe. (Time has been flying! ) It was my first time at their studio on Mill Street and to be honest I was completely blown away. For anyone who hasn’t paid Throwing Shapes a visit yet, it’s this amazing community pottery studio in Dublin 8 that operates a little like how a gym would; members pay a monthly fee to use the space and supplies. They host loads of classes, including ones that you can bring your baby along to. I learned that both of my neighbours at the market work as throwing instructors there which really said a a lot about the quality of their classes; they are both really excellent potters. I only wish they would open another studio in Cork, preferably West Cork.

The best part of the weekend though was really just having the opportunity to be around so many creative people, all under one roof. It felt a little bit like being back in art college, which was really nice and nostalgic. It was also a really great opportunity to be able to chat to people about my work, something I don’t often get the opportunity to do holed up in my home studio way out West. It’s funny as because i so rarely get to do that, I came away from the market with a much clearer idea of what I want my work to be about. It’s easy to disregard how important it is to meet other artists and designers, as well as appreciaters of art and design. It has a way of setting you straight and refining your vision. Art and design practice can become such a solitary pursuit, which is why I appreciate a space like Throwing Shapes all the more. It’s so important to have spaces like these.

Thanks to anyone who came by to chat to me and let me ramble on about my art!