A regular number of folk have enjoyed the creative experience of working with clay each Wednesday at Jo Ayres Studio in Spode Works, Stoke. Everyone has thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to create ceramic art work and rated each workshop at the very highest level. The feedback on the final workshop was extremely positive and speaks volumes about the inspirational teaching and encouragement from Alice and Jo.

Because our fired pots from Workshop 4 were not ready to glaze. Jo and Alice have kindly agreed to do an extra session to finish off our work in March. We have learned so many new skills…including making ceramic tiles, decorating with slip, casting objects in moulds, glazing, and throwing pots on a wheel. Everyone was more successful at throwing than Maurice…who’s tall vase ended up as a tiny bowl.

Staffordshire Police Commissioner Matthew Ellis was our guest speaker. He talked about his role and some of the changes he has brought about during his five years in office. Matthew engaged really well with the group answering probing questions about areas of concern, including that of LGBT Hate Crime. Discussions went on longer than expected, so there was no time to see photos of February’s Ceramic Workshops or those of Maurice’s trip to Australia, New Zealand and the Far East. Hopefully there will be an opportunity to see them next month. This left ample time to socialize and plan an evaluation afternoon tea at Middleport Potteries

A few members of the group took part in a series of Creative Dance Workshops under the inspirational direction of Rachel Lines of FRONTLINEdance. We joined forces with other local community groups as part of the Meet Me At Live Age project. In addition to creative, expressive dance, we have also done associated creative writing and song writing. Each session has been enormous fun and life affirming. We even had the confidence to perform in public on the final workshop.

We will be holding our own LGBT History Month event in collaboration with Staffordshire Buddies, New Vic Theatre and B-Arts….with a  performance of a two-man show …Jarman in Pieces by Project Adorno. This will be 6.30 pm Friday 9 March in Stephen Joseph Studio at the back of the New Vic. The slightly later date is on account of artists and venue availability. If you would like one of the few remaining complimentary tickets, please contact us ASAP by email: olgbt2009@gmail.com or call 07757 750255

Derek Jarman Film director, stage designer, diarist, artist, gardener & author…Derek was also a committed Gay and AIDS activist

 Creative Workshops are funded by the People’s Health Trust

If you would like to take part in any creative workshops, please express your interest by email: olgbt2009@gmail.com You can now also call or text: 07757 750255

No previous experience is needed for any of the workshops