My name is Millie, and I went to Emma Bridgewater studio in Stoke-on-Trent and learnt how they
created their pottery.
The lobby was a nice experience, with lots of paintings and models of Emma Bridgewater’s art. It was
warm and the workers were very welcoming. The staff were wearing white aprons and there was
quite a few of them, all ready to welcome new customers.
The Emma Bridgewater building is quite old since it has a lot of history to it as it was the old
Potteries. It was light with all the sunlight coming through the windows. I could see the quality of the
artwork clearly. The building was very bright, with large rooms, which made me feel delighted to
learn about the pottery.
Once we started the session, our guide talked about the history of Emma Bridgewater which was
very fascinating. The guide was thorough and articulate. She always answered any questions
immediately that included questions about the history of Emma Bridgewater and how they created
the pottery. She was very understanding. She always went into detail when talking about
information about Emma Bridgewater’s pottery.
There weren’t many signs giving written information because our guide said it all, but there were
amazing paintings on the walls. I saw a few visitors in the café when eating some delicious food and
a few looking around the studio.
Then the guide showed us how they made their sponges to print symbols or pictures on their pottery. They burn the shape into the sponge and then dip it in paint and press it on their artwork.
All the workers hand painted the pottery which I would’ve found stressful if I was doing it myself,
but it seemed calming to the workers. They seem relaxed and very professional with it. I respect the
idea of handmade pottery. Every cup, bowl, plate will not be identical and will be made with care.
Also shows how much artistic talent and skill they have!
Our guide showed us into a different room where they dried the pottery after they were painted. It
was a large room with shelves of pottery and huge noisy fans. I also saw workers by the kiln which
they use to fire their pottery.
The pottery that they made was truly extraordinary.
At the end of the session, we had a go at making our own pottery. I created a plate of a duck in a
nest with hearts and shapes around it using some of their sponges. They demonstrated how to use
the sponges which I then found simple to apply to my plate. The experience was amazing and
fascinating. I recommend visiting the Emma Bridgewater studio!
Emma inspired me because I love how everything is hand crafted and not factory produced. I love
their pottery because the designs are very pretty. Emma’s type of artwork is pottery containing
polka dots, hearts, animals, nature, etc. Their choice of colours is very calming and not sickly bright.
My favourite plate was a fox sitting down in the woods. The colours were pleasing, and the fur
looked realistic enough for me to want to buy it. It was a very seasonal plate, like autumn. The
quality of their pottery was amazing, and I’m surprised due to the fact that it’s all handmade.
I would like my future work to become more calming like hers. I like the idea how it’s not hyper
realistic, but sort of realistic. It has the details of fur, blends and textures. I really like the colours
they use and the shading and how their pottery Is very seasonal.
After the session we went to their café and the food was amazing. They also have a gift shop to buy
some of their pottery which we had a look in.
I would recommend visiting Emma Bridgewater because it would fascinate you if you had a creative
interest. And if you’d ever wondered how they made their potteries, there’s your answer! You stay
for a reasonable amount of time and learn the history, techniques and get to do practical activities!
I would be really grateful if you had the time to wright a comment about my visit to Emma Bridgewater so I could put it in my art awards. Thanks!