|
|
|
Alan Gaff |
|
|
|
|
|
|
I was looking to go to Art Collage in Glasgow for a course in
Ceramics when leaving Oban High but after a summer job at Appin
Pottery in 1978 I was fortunate enough to get an Apprenticeship
through Craft Point (starting in July of 1979) under the tuition
of Joe Finch, proprietor of Appin Pottery including 6 months
under Ray Finch M, B, E. (Joes` father) at Winchcombe Pottery
(1980). Craft Points H,I,D,B, backed Apprentice scheme included
block release for business studies, marketing, mould making,
kiln building and many other courses. Set up Cottage Industries,
a small business making and wholesaling press moulded wee houses
it was a “cottage industry”, in the true sense as I had out
workers producing the cottages, it was a lot of work to organise
but good fun at the time.
1984-1987
I worked with Joe as his assistant for about a year then as he
and his wife Trudi, decided to move to New Radnor in Wales, I
managed Appin Pottery for him until they wanted to move to a
larger place and so had to sell Appin to realise this. Rather
than move to Wales myself I decided to set up on my own and so
we ended up just down the road here in Barcaldine.
1988-up to now.
Set up Argyll Pottery near Oban on the main A828 road to Fort
William, employing two assistants, once in a while we have been
known to take on the odd student part time for the summer
months. We make mostly high fired domestic stoneware with some
individual pieces including porcelain. The pots are mainly raw
glazed and once fired in our 65cu, ft, down draught wood burning
kiln to a temperature of 1300`C.
I some times also run pottery courses for locals in the winter.
Throwing on the wheel, hand building, slab pots, sculpture and
brushwork are included.
Some commissions undertaken, Occasional exhibitions, Member of
the Scottish Potters Association and The Guild of Master
Craftsmen.
|
|
|
|
|
