Our Committee

The SPA is a Scottish Charity managed by a committee who are elected each year at our AGM.

All members of the committee are also members of the Charity and volunteer to serve on the committee.

They are also Trustees of the Charity. They are assisted by a number of sub-committees with one or more members each, who carry out specific tasks. These members are not Trustees and do not normally attend committee meetings.

2025 to 2026 Committee

Connie Robertson - Acting Chair and Membership Secretary

My name is Connie, I am SPA Chair and Membership Secretary and this is my clay story….

My pottery journey started with a very encouraging teacher at Fraserburgh Academy! I managed a clown figure holding balloons, I was hooked.

Then life happened and no clay for many years, a casual chat with my boss, uncovered her access to clay and equipment stored in her garage. Jamie had all his tools and stock stashed in Carols garage and we got to play with clay again. Jamie was our coach/mentor and ear to all our questions. We were allowed 3 at a time! Over the years all friends and family have been maxed out with my makes I now have an annual sale at NEOS ( North East Open Studios) in September

I joined SPA after attending Potfest and getting involved with helping out. SPA offer so many fantastic workshops at the social curry afterwards I got to hear that volunteers for committee posts were a bit sparse, I am always willing to help a friendly fantastic group of like minded clay heads, and put my hand up to be membership secretary.

Looking forward to a future of SPA workshops, Potfests, Springflings and meeting up with lots of other potters, creating with clay

membership@scottishpotters.org

Caroline Gault - Chair & E-Bulletin

Fourteen years ago, a friend asked me to come along to a ceramics evening class, I jumped at the chance, as I had never dabbled in clay, and I am always up to learn new crafts. 17 lessons later and a couple of years doing ceramics at my friend’s house and I eventually set up my own studio in the front room of my house.

Once I had the studio there was nothing holding me back. I filled my cupboards and shelves; all family and friends had several of my "pots" and my only avenue left was selling through local craft shops. These days I would say I’m a serious hobbyist - still got the day job. I love getting out and about to sell face-to-face at craft fairs, Horror Cons and ceramic fairs.

At my first SPA spring gathering in March 2019 I walked away as the social media committee member. Since that evening I have done Social Media, eBulletin, Newsletter, exhibitions, vice chair...I cannot stop raising my hand. In June 2024 I became chair of the SPA.

Caroline is currently taking time away from her position due to a personal bereavement.

chair@scottishpotters.org

Kirsty Forsyth - Secretary

When I was a student occupational therapist in the early 80’s I learnt basic hand building techniques and the therapeutic benefits of pottery at Langside College in Glasgow. Many years later I took classes, learnt to throw on the wheel and found that I wanted to be hands on with clay more often.
So, in 2015 I retired from the NHS and set up a mini pottery studio in our garage on the beautiful Island of Arran. I now take part in local craft fairs and am part of a collaborative group of artists and makers on Arran. I am still learning and developing my skills.
I joined the SPA as Secretary so that I could use my skills with a vibrant, inspiring group of people who are passionate about pottery.

secretary@scottishpotters.org

Carol Hiles - Treasurer

I have dabbled in clay for a while, but it's only since retiring and attending a pottery sculpting course that it has become a passion. I joined SPA in 2020 with the aim of going to the spring gathering, but covid put a stop to that. I remained a member as they are such a friendly and welcoming bunch of people.

treasurer@scottishpotters.org

Rona Slevin - Exhibitions

I studied Art & Design (Ceramics) at Glasgow School of Art from 1979-83. On leaving college I was not able to afford to continue with my ceramics although always kept up with my art doing drawing, painting & glasswork. After a long gap I returned to making ceramics in 2010 and set up a studio with a kiln in the garden at home. In 2022 I retired from a long career in Mental Health Social Work. I am really enjoying the time and space I now have to develop my ceramics. I was previously on the committee as Secretary from 2011-2016. I took on my current role as Exhibitions Coordinator following our Spring gathering in 2023.

exhibitions@scottishpotters.org

Evie Jackson - Website Editor

Hello, I'm Evie, a part-time (wannabe) potter based in Perthshire.

I started taking pottery classes on a whim in 2018 and was hooked from the beginning - although that may also be due to the chaos, madness and laughter that happens during a class.

Various life things happened, the regular rollercoaster, however that lead me to having a little more time to spend in the studio, where I create whimsical things inspired by nature and Scotland.

I joined the SPA in 2025, immediately attending my first Spring Gathering which was a wonderful experience and now I am here...

María Poyato - Student Representative

I am Maria, an artist based in Edinburgh currently making ceramics, illustration, exploring mixed media and spending as much time outdoors as I can.

My work is influenced by how nature helps us feel sane and grounded, inviting us to live a slow, simple and yet, joyful life.

Focusing on the landscape that surrounds me, I explore the organic beauty that I find in nature, with a special interest in found objects and earthy colours. This results in my ceramics bearing a significant presence of botanic motifs, organic textures, animals and astrology with a rustic, homely, earth-reverent feel to them.

I like to wheel-throw most of my pieces but hand building and sculpture are important techniques in my practice too. I use found objects to make organic marks and imprints on my pieces, such as leaves, bark and fossils, as well as illustration techniques like sgraffito and hand carving. I use a range of stoneware bodies and fire in both oxidation and reduction.

After a 2 year apprenticeship at Mud Station, now I work as an Studio Assistant at Aku Ceramics and volunteer as Student officer at SPA where I want to create community around potters in Scotland!

I also sell my pottery in local shops and host monthly pottery workshop where I teach people how to incorporate found object in clay.

Sylwia Kolasinska - Social Media

Oonagh Gil - Workshops

Gaynor Etter

Sub-committee members 2025-26

Roos Eisma - Website Technology

I started pottery classes in 2015 and shortly after I quit my job. I now sell my handbuilt sculptural vessels at ceramics shows and I love my new life!

website@scottishpotters.org

The SPA is a Scottish Charity managed by a committee who are elected each year at our AGM.

2025 to 2026 Committee