The fine art of pottery: Jane Barclay offers courses with a view in her rooftop atelier of Dalheim
Pottery is a passion for Jane Barclay. In order to share this with others, the British-born artist has set up an atelier in Dalheim, where she has been offering workshops and (very) long-term courses for around ten years. High above the rooftops of the picturesque village, there is plenty of space for creative expression – with practical added value.
‘Creative therapy’: Pottery as a form of expression
Anyone who talks to Jane Barclay about pottery quickly realises that it is about more than just a job. It’s no coincidence that the word passion crops up more than once during the conversation – a passion that she wants to share with others: “These days, many people are stressed out by the demands of everyday life. A creative activity like pottery offers a way to switch off.”
Is pottery hence a form of therapy, as it is in her studio? “Definitely, but in a creative sense. What we create together during our workshops and courses is a form of artistic expression. The technical expertise that I share and the inspiration of each individual participant result in imaginatively designed unique pieces.”
Moselle view included: Unique surroundings
Inspiration is provided by the unique setting. Jane Barclay’s atelier is located high above the rooftops of Dalheim, in a covered roof terrace with a view as far as the German side of the Moselle. There is room for up to 5 course participants up here and they can let off tension creatively to their heart’s content. The hobby potters come from all over the world, and quite a few have been here for years.
Jane Barclay: “In a way, our courses are also a reflection of the country. We are far away from stress in an idyllic environment that inspires creativity. A real exchange takes place in the atelier, the versatility of which is reflected in the artwork of each individual. In this respect, the label “Made in Luxembourg” fits perfectly with what happens here, both in human and creative terms.”
Academic foundation: Decades of expertise
The fact that numerous course participants turn pottery into their “long-term therapy” is not least due to Jane Barclay’s decades of well-founded expertise, which is also academically sound. She learnt the craft of pottery as part of her studies at Middlesex University in the south of England, where she subsequently taught courses herself for a long time.
“Creativity and art were very important in my family, and I developed a passion for pottery as a child. It was thus somehow logical that I would make a career out of it. When I came to Luxembourg at the end of the 1990s, I also explored other art forms such as painting and ceramics. In the end, however, I ended up back at my true passion.”
Mortar & more: Individual products for a lifetime
In addition to courses, Jane Barclay also offers pottery for sale. Here, too, the individual touch plays a key role: ”I don’t tend to sell my work in many shops or outlets, but rather use markets, where I have the personal contact with anyone who buys a piece from me. It is important for me to connect with my clients and to encourage people to pick up a piece, hold it in their hands and feel a connection.”
“Every piece I make is hand-made. They are made with speckled stoneware clay which I do not entirely glaze all over to allow the clay to speak for itself and to be touched as well as seen”, continues Jane Barclay: “The mugs, bowls and cups may look the same as the next but as they are not made in moulds, they vary slightly. Everything is dishwasher safe and will remain with the person forever unless it gets dropped and broken. One of my bestsellers are mortars for crushing garlic and ginger, which is where another passion of mine comes into play; I love cooking and eating internationally.”
