Arley Hall ceramics exhibition 'Dazed and Glazed' launches

The class of 12 from Warrington and Vale Royal College’s ceramic department, many of whom will be exhibiting their work for the first time, are being allowed to hold their end of year show in a gallery at Arley Hall, near Northwich.

Exhibits include handcrafted tableware, cups, mugs, and bowls, many of which will be for sale, as well as more personal, one off sculptural pieces that reflect the personalities of their creators

Nicola Billington, who was an art teacher at the college before she retired and has now returned as a student, said it’s an honour for her and fellow students to be given the opportunity.  

Ceramicist Avia Musperte (Image: Nicola Billington)

Nicola said: “Arley is just such a beautiful, amazing place.

“They do a lot of filming for Peaky Blinders there, so it get a lot of footfall. To have a place with such wonderful gardens and woodlands so near a town is really special.

“We’re all level three students, which is equivalent to A-level. It’s a year-long course, and at the end of it we’re having this exhibition as a celebration.

“A lot of student exhibitions take places at colleges themselves, so it’s really exciting to have a ‘real’ exhibition out in the world at a venue so prestigious as Arley Hall.

Ceramicist Babirye Gregory (Image: Nicola Billington)

The exhibition, called Dazed and Glazed, begins on Saturday, March 18, and runs for one week until Friday, March 24, between 10am and 5pm.

Entry is free to those who have paid the entrance free for Arley Hall Gardens.

Nicola added: “I hadn’t had much experience using clay before I started the course. My background is art in other media, textiles particularly.

“Cermamic is all about using your hands to making three-dimensional forms. It’s also about the glazes and using different colours.

“It really quite technical if I’m honest, which is something I have struggled with. But it’s also very creative.”