We started this course in January and finished in May 2018. What I found more interesting when I teach is helping my students to discover what they are capable of. I start with simple exercises that sometimes challenged students patience because they think "that is very easy" and then is not as easy as they thought. 

I have a small group and I know everyone by their name and what they do, I think part of teaching is also learning the person you are teaching too. Is extremely exciting when they see what are they capable of and the proud on their faces when I hold their finished pieces in their hands. I measure the success of my class by the happiness of my students and their own progress. Working with clay like any other creative activity requires practice and perseverance but the most important thing is that the student enjoy doing it. 

They get to experience clay a very plastic and surprising material used for centuries to create utilitarian and artistic work. They learn their own limits and challenge them, they learned how to become more patient and follow a process. Students have the opportunity of socializing and meet new people that share similar interests. They learn new skills and work with their hands which are proven to release stress and work like a yoga for the brain. Clay challenge your sense of strength and refine your hand motor skills. 

The lessons are host in Blackhorse Workshop which is a very inspiring place full of creative people who happens to be very cool people ;). There is also the fabulous Wood Street Coffee if you get hungry or want to try a seriously good coffee. 
If you join my class! I will guide you if you are completely new and proposed work that will help you to progress in your learning process. If you have done ceramics before and have a clear idea of what you want to do then we can discuss it and I will assist you with your project. I do the firing and glazing in my studio and if you are a practitioner and need firing service I can do it too, £4 a pound of weight or £40 full kiln. Feel free to contact me if you need more information.  

The next class will start in October, join my newsletter and have a great summer!

​In Burial Project or Proyecto Enterramientos, Yaniré Sylva Delgado has made books, prints and ceramics to express her identity, culture and values as an Ecuadorian woman and artist.  She has explored issues of guilt and morality and has looked at burial ceremonies and the ways in which we seek peace through closure.

Yaniré has made five books. The first presents pictures from burials uncovered by archaeological excavations; the second explores the burial of guilt in Roman Catholicism; the third offers redemption; the fourth opens the project to the public by asking the question: how do you want to be buried? The fifth book incorporates images from the famous Guayaquil Cemetery in Ecuador.

“Closure is fundamental in our lives because it allow us to move on. Burial Project has allowed me to grow from the place of pain and frustration so the last piece of work I propose for this exhibition will involve the community, the place where I am now and where I belong. In workshops I will ask the public to create a Venus Valdivia who will represent our growth and hopes in life”.

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The idea of the workshop was to aloud children to experiment with face expressions and translate the images to a mask on a ceramic tile.
The magic is done by them and their creativity, the masks are as original as their author. Love them all!

Thank you for taking part on it and to the Sideshow for organizing it. 

Katie Fotis the Sideshow curator at Blackhorse Workshop wanted to have an interactive exhibition called Makers Movements and I was thrilled to be invited. There is something almost irresistible about masks, you want to put them on and experience the possibility of being someone else or even as disguise. 

Masks have been used by our ancestors for centuries to impersonate or represent others in the theatre, festivals and ceremonies. I am inspired by the Native American Cultures, African Tribes and our urban culture were beards, tattoos and big earrings are normal way to be distinctive.

Even though ceramic is something fragile I took my chances and we came out with the idea of having a Hall of Masks that you can stand behind and take pictures for your social media, sharing it with the world.
Come and find the one that suits you and represents you better, take a picture and share it with the word.

Remember to #
@sylvaceramics
@blackhorsews
#ManyFaces

If you are interested to purchase my masks please send me an email at yaniresd@gmail.com. Prices start at £250 each.

Be Magnificent! Was the consignment for this year Garden Party located in Lloyd Park and organised by Barbican, Walthamstow Council and Create London.

The idea behind the phrase is to inspire us showcasing very important artists graduated from Walthamstow College so we can do our best too. I choose Celia Birtwell because I enjoy her designs very much, especially The Besties design for wallpaper. She is a woman who had managed to get known and appreciated for her work, she is a fighter and believes in herself.

The aim of my Ceramic Workshop was to create a small dish out of clay learning a very simple hand built technique and decorate it using a pattern just like you do when you design a wallpaper or fabric. Two hundred and fifty people attended my workshop, people were very excited and appreciative of the way we conducted the learning process and proud with what they took home.

What did I learned?
I learned how to organised a workshop for 300 people, not an easy job believe me.
I learned that help is there when you ask for it with kind and generous attitude.
I learned people are very empathic.

Like all the wonderful things in life I didn't do it alone , thank you to my volunteers: Anna, Claudia, Olivia, Kay, Sophia and Sue.

Thank you to all who came and took part!
Here are your words:

"Everyone was so positive, there was no "wrong" thank you all very much"
Julia

"Very relaxing and the lady was very helpful in showing us how to do it"
Cath

"Brilliant workshop with very clear, step by step instructions. I would definitely up for doing another one"

"My daughter really enjoyed rolling out the clay. Great craft activity and great guidance"
Natalie

I am very thankful for the experience of having this wonderful group of mums and babies for yesterday's workshop. They proudly finished their wall Mobil for their baby rooms and had a great time chatting along with other mums. Thank you to Head and Hands for hosting it and to Birch and Star for having us all.

"Easy process to get your head around and do. Good example product. Relaxed environment + small setting I think went well. Been able to take a finish product home I think is a great idea"
Laura

"Been able to make something and chat at the same time"
Siobhan

"Something creative to do with other mums. Lovely materials and a nice relaxed environment. My mobile is lovely! Thank you!"
Johanna

Great teacher, excellent materials to work with. Others around to help me with the baby whis was much appreciated! Thank you for the refreshments too"
Rachel

A PINCHpot is the name given to a container that has been done by pinching and turning a ball of clay. I personally love this technique because our ancestors use to create all type of containers using clay and their hands only.
In the 4 hour workshop you will design and create a ceramic pot for cactus or succulent plant. This handbuild technique will teach you how to sculpt, carve, decorate and imprint clay using a variety of materials and tools.
2 x Monday Evenings
20th & 27th of March
7pm - 9pm
Level: Beginner
Price: £60 + booking fee

Process:
Make the pinch pot out of clay and decorate it.
Pots will be fired and glazed in my workshop in a two week process.
Once ready, they will be available for collection within a fortnight from Blackhorse Workshop.

Clay, one cactus and all decorative materials will be provided.
Light refreshments included.
Air dry clay can be purchase to take away in case you want to practice at home.

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Haven't you imagined or seen creatures on old carpets and stained walls?
...on the clouds?
...in your dreams?

I have been wanting to show this creatures for more than a year and it took me more than six month to manage it. My ceramics creatures are mounted on recycled floor boards collected around Walthamstow. The ceramic pieces are texturised, decorated with oxides and stoneware fired.
All creatures need a space or an environment where to live, so mine are living in Ink Drawn on paper Savanna.

All the wood work has been made in The Blackhorse Workshop. Enrique Melin constructed the creature cases from recycled wood, he has the most brilliant ideas of how to reuse unwanted materials; well that is not uncommon these days, but what is truly distinct is his kindness, patience and sense of humor. 

My creatures are exhibited at the Wood Street Coffee where Gareth Reid prepares Very Good Coffee! and my favourite, Black beens on toast with an egg on top, very South American!

Now that we know the creatures location set a day and come and visit. If you want to see more about the creature click here