Creatives at the Clay Half
Meet the Team
The Clay Half Team
Sasha, Irene and Sam (above) are the pottery tutors who, between them are able to offer many classes and are the team running the Clay Half, doing all the behind the scene things that a busy pottery studio needs to enable it to run smoothly.
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In addition local artist Kirsten Ritchie Walker DA teaches drawing and painting classes weekly and Sasha runs lino printing classes. Throughout the year there are a number of visiting artists offering classes and workshops in many other creative areas such as, jewellery making, drypoint printing and wooden spoon carving. Details on visiting artists and classes offered can be found on their listings on the Clay Half classes website.
Irene Hughes
Founder & Potter
Irene has been making, selling and teaching pottery locally since 2016. Her interest in pottery developed from childhood and she began learning the craft at Angus College leisure classes in 2002.
Making her own ceramic work from her home garden studio in the heart of Montrose, Irene makes functional stoneware ceramics, the decoration inspired by the local sea and landscapes, these are sold in various locations locally including at the Clay Half.
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It is Irene's hope that the Clay Half will enable others to follow her footsteps, taking an aspiration and making it a reality.
Sasha Mannin
Multi-Media Artist & Potter
Sasha has a degree in art and has worked as a multi-media artist and taught creative classes in France for the past 30 years.
Now based in Aberdeenshire, Sasha is a currently running weekly ceramic and lino-cut classes and is working on her own range of ceramics which are sold at the Clay Half and in local markets.
Sasha has been with the Clay Half since early 2023 and is a great asset to the Clay Half team.
Sam Wyness
Child Practitioner & Potter
Sam has been developing her pottery skills since 2020, a hobby that became a passion from which she has never looked back and led her to playing a vital part in helping to set up the Clay Half.
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Sam is a qualified early years practitioner currently working with Angus Council and she brings these aspects together perfectly when teaching the Clay Half's Adult and Child classes.
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Sam has established her own home studio in the garage and some of her amazing pots are sold in the Clay Half.