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.
2024 to 2025 Committee
Caroline Gault - Chair & E-Bulletin
chair@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.
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.
Roos Eisma - Website
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!
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.
Connie Robertson - Membership secretary
My name is Connie, I am membership secretary of SPA 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
Julia Albert-Recht - Social Media
I took up pottery at a local class about five years ago, and quickly became obsessed. Over one summer I went to that studio nearly every day and taught myself how to throw. After about a year when I was sure the obsession wasn’t going to wane, I took the plunge and bought myself a wheel and a small kiln. I am lucky enough to live in an old house which has a solid but small outbuilding which was used for storage. Suffice to say, the stored items have had to find another home as I’ve managed to steal all the space.
Anyway, I’m now working practically full-time making pots and running a small business and it’s such a joy to discover this love late in life. Just not sure how it all happened!
Sub-committee members 2023–24
Clare Parsons - Workshop bookings
Fiona Robertson - Newsletter typesetting
Iain Campbell - Archive