A WORK DEPARTMENT

Gay Smith and Marijke Wilhelmus with the kiln at Findhorn Pottery

The Findhorn Pottery as a department was heavenly hard work. In the autumn of 1976 with Craig Gibsone focalising, Scott Goldberg potter extraordinaire, and myself a rank novice, one project was making the Hall’s healing light fixtures. We had an oil fired kiln which belched black smoke and flakes but produced luscious pots. The Pottery thrived and liaisons with ‘outside’ potters enriched our work. Nature spirits invoked, our pottery celebrated the elementals, earth, water, air, fire. Our world service was supporting the Community by making cups, pitchers and bowls with our pottery for use in all work departments and sold in the shop. Work is love in action was easy for us, potters passionate about making beautiful, functional ware.

Bowl by Belia Biesheuvel

In the 80s the Pottery’s repertoire added education; guest sessions, workshops and ongoing classes including Steiner School kids. With only small raku and wood kilns the Pottery’s future required the gas kiln I built with donations from generous Community members. Then Brian Nobbs returned, transforming the Pottery into an independent business preventing its demise into a maintenance shed.

For artists monetary anxieties often create tension between making objects of quality or marketability. Pots last for eons and our choices leave a trail of our best and worst work. As a Findhorn potter I learned to engage the universe’s support and sustain creative energy by pursuing beauty and excellence and the skill to execute them.

The Findhorn Pottery is more than a building or a business. It’s a community of knowledge, experience and aspiration, long hours and labour over years nurturing and nurtured by the Community, weaving in and out of its homes and meeting places, ornamentation and delight in the use of everyday utensils. Its wares and potters infect our planet, seedlings celebrating our connected life. Dedicated to Findhorn potters everywhere.

Gertrude Graham (Gay) Smith