What London Potters has meant for me?

Stories from our Trustees ….


Lindy Barletta | Chair
Being a volunteer on or off council for London Potters has meant joining a group of new friends, with immediate interests and passions in common. The giving and sharing of knowledge is exciting and appropriate, learning new skills and passing on traditional skills. My awareness of the ceramic world is enhanced and makes me think how I can contribute, improve and advance – in my own practise and by helping others. I have made friends from all corners of the world for life and my life is enriched and more complete because of it. We are a community that supports and encourages each other for the benefit of everyone. There is no room for intolerance or any unacceptable behaviour, bullying or negative comment – whether face to face or in social media. LP is a safe place. 

Fay De Winter | Vice Chair
As vice chair I support council in various ways, sharing views and expertise to benefit LP. In the chairs absence I help if required. As a professional ceramicist I am called upon to represent LP at events and to assist with judging when necessary. I sometimes lead sub-committees or participate as a team to update policies and initiatives that support LP members.

Sarah Hill | Management Secretary
I am very much a hobbiest potter and knew very little about ceramics when I joined as a trustee on the council board. Since being involved it has been great fun and educational working alongside ‘proper’ potters and my knowledge of the ceramic’s world has hugely increased as has the working of charitable organisations (though my Pots still have a long way to go!!) It’s great working with such go getting people, the friends and contacts made and skills learnt will all last way into the future.

Janet White | Programme Coordinator
Offering events to our members that support them in their practice and connecting our community is the most fulfilling part of the events coordinator role! In this role, you get to meet wonderful makers who are great at their work, who are willing to share their experience and knowledge to the wider community. And the bonus is that you also get to learn at the workshops because you have to be there as the organiser.


Nikki Scott-Taylor | Magazine Editor
I have always enjoyed writing about art, but as Editor of LP magazine I get to ask the questions about things I am interested in. For anyone wanting to take on the role, it will improve your ability to cut copy to ensure it has clarity and flows. I am making friends through helping members promote their work and share ideas with others interested in all things clay.

Mari Balsama Wilson | Website & Digital Coordinator
I love helping members with their profile for the online LP Gallery and seeing it go live to showcase their work. Being able to offer my digital skills makes me feel part of something relevant. It is a good balance of give and receive. I learn via this amazing community and dedicate a fair amount of my time in return. If you feel like joining the website coordination team, ideally you will be a curious soul, digital savvy and enjoy being involved with an energetic charity team like LP. Nothing to lose and much to gain.

Mary-Clare Goodwin | Treasurer
When I returned to ceramics after a long hiatus after school, I knew no one who did pottery.  I was looking for my ‘tribe’ , people who I could talk ‘clay’ to, and I found London Potters. Volunteering on the committee seemed like a good way to meet people and get involved more. Being in London Potters has enabled me to contribute to a cause I’m passionate about, with people who share my passion.  It has allowed me to connect more with the community of potters, to find others who I can share my work and experience of ceramics with and given me an opportunity to collaborate with the like-minded people.  During the last 2 years as a trustee, I have fostered strong relationships with the other trustees and volunteers as we work towards the shared goals of the charity of education, networking and the promotion & appreciation of ceramics. There’s also immense satisfaction in using your expertise to support your community.  What expertise is required to fill the role of treasurer? You don’t have to be a qualified accountant, you just need organised, able to work with numbers/ spreadsheets and provide support the rest of the amazing team who organise the fabulous events, exhibitions and magazine that we all benefit from as members!