Two stars of this year’s Great Pottery Throw Down are heading to Swansea this Saturday to officially open a new community pottery studio — one built entirely by volunteers, funded by the National Lottery, and designed to make the hobby accessible to anyone who wants to give it a go.
Kaz and Angharad, both contestants on the 2026 series, will cut the ribbon at the Swansea Pottery Collective’s grand opening at noon on Saturday 23 May. The event runs until 3pm and is open to all.
Kaz, 62, is from Swansea and studied ceramics at the Carmarthen School of Art after a long career as a psychiatric nurse. She became a firm favourite on the 2026 series, with judges and viewers alike praising her infectious passion and joy for the craft.
Angharad, 34, is from Bridgend and works as a communication support worker. She made it all the way to the final of the 2026 series — the ninth in the show’s history — producing deeply personal, body-positive sculptures that won widespread admiration throughout the competition. The series was won by Fynn, 37, from Cornwall.
The 2026 series aired on Channel 4 from January this year and, as with previous runs, appears to have sparked a fresh wave of interest in pottery across the country. Studios across the UK report a surge in enquiries and bookings every time a new series airs, with many newcomers picking up clay for the first time after watching the show.
It is exactly that gap — between inspiration and opportunity — that the Swansea Pottery Collective was set up to fill.
The Collective was founded by four people — Nic, Helen, Claire and Scott — who met while attending an adult evening pottery course at Gower College Swansea. When the course ended, they weren’t ready to stop — but quickly ran into a familiar problem. Without access to a kiln, tools, studio space or ongoing guidance, continuing felt out of reach.
They soon realised they weren’t alone. Many beginner and amateur potters find themselves inspired by a course — or a television show — only to discover there’s nowhere accessible to keep practising. That gap between learning and continuing is where the idea for the Swansea Pottery Collective was born.
What started as four people quickly grew — four became ten, skills were shared, energy spread, and momentum built. With support from National Lottery funding and help from Urban Foundry, the city’s creative regeneration agency, the Collective was able to open its own dedicated studio.
The studio is at Urban HQ, Alexandra Road, Swansea, SA1 5AJ. It is now open to up to 100 subscribers, offering weekly sessions with all clay, tools, glazes and kiln firings included. Sessions are capped at around ten people, which the founders say keeps the environment welcoming and ensures everyone feels seen and supported.
Membership costs £50 a month, covering four hours of studio access per week with everything provided — no experience required, just curiosity. Short courses and one-off workshops are also available for those who want to dip in before committing.
The studio runs entirely on a volunteer basis as a not-for-profit organisation, keeping costs as low as possible and the doors open to as many people as possible.
“While clay is our medium, it’s also the glue that brings us together — sparking conversations, building friendships, and creating a sense of belonging,” the Collective say. “Through shared creativity, we support one another, nurture wellbeing, and find moments of calm and connection that extend far beyond the studio.”
Anyone who wants to find out more or apply for a membership ahead of Saturday can visit potterycollective.co.uk.
