A ceramic studio and pottery school has moved to a new location in the heart of Builth Wells.
Church Street is the new home to Alex Allpress Ceramic Studio & Pottery School which was previously based in Newbridge-on-Wye.
Artist Blue MacAskill and potter Alex Allpress said that despite the difficulties brought with the Covid-19 pandemic, they are hoping to plan for “bright future”.
Blue and Alex, who have relocated their art studio to Church Street next to St Mary’s Church Builth , said: “It was a long process and we still have lots of work and ideas we want to do.
“We are so excited to move to such an inspiring location where we can bring all our energy and creative hub to the town we started calling our home four years ago.
“It has been very difficult through COVID to establish the pottery and keep spirits up, but hopefully with the community behind us we can plan for a bright future.
“We hope to expand the pottery, have a small gallery space and we have sculpture and painting studio too.”
The workshop is looking to celebrate its new space this Christmas with a ceramic show called ‘Shades of Clay’.
The show will run this winter from November 29 until December 5.
Blue and Alex said: “We have stunning vessels, mugs, jugs and bowls for sale as well as vouchers that you can buy in person, or order online or by phone.
“Vouchers can be for pottery lessons or buying ceramics.”
As well as celebrating their success, the artistic duo have thanked the Builth community who have supported them so far.
The couple commented that they felt the community had kept them going at what has been a “very difficult time”.
They said: “We would like to thank the local community who have supported us and already had lessons and popped in to say hello. Thank You so much you have really kept us going at a very difficult time.
“Some of you may have seen us volunteer at this Summer’s Fun Day on The Groe, what a wonderful experience that was and it was great to give people a free taster that day of what we have to offer.
“It was great working with the Town Council and we hope to be apart of events in Builth in the future.”
Alex and Blue, who are bringing their young family up in Builth, said it is “so important” for them to have many aspirational pathways for young people to explore.
They said they especially feels this because there have been so many “new creative self employed people” moving to Powys in lockdown.
The couple also said that they feel that creative hubs like the Pottery School and its success are important to Builth Wells “vibrant future” and the cultivation of an exciting tourist and creative hot spot.
All the ceramics by Alex Allpress Ceramic Studio & Pottery School are made on site from clay to glaze and kiln firings.
The couple have said that anybody hoping to participate should book via email or phone.
The workshop is on TikTok, Twitter, facebook, Google.
Blue and Alex said: “Look us up and come and say Hi this Christmas. We’re open by appointment and we have parking onsite.”
To book an appointment at the ceramic studio and pottery school - which is open from 10am until 6pm from Monday to Friday, and from 10am until 4.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays - ring 07443875016 or 01982552854, or email Alex using [email protected].
Go to Alex Allpress’s website to see more of his ceramic and pottery work and find out about the workshops he runs - which are open to all age and abilities - by heading online and visiting alexallpress.co.uk.