Demonstration & Workshop by Ruth Gibson

This demonstration & workshop is being organised by PACS Potters in association with the Southern Ceramics Group.

Working in porcelain, Ruth Gibson combines a love of photography, printmaking and ceramics, to evoke a sense of place; in particular the Shropshire landscape and the Welsh coast and mountains. Inspired by many walks on the rugged Stiperstones, or the Long Mynd, imagery includes winter trees, textures in nature, birds in flight, the rocks beneath the surface, and the inclusion of sections on map, rooting the work to the place it is inspired by. Ancient standing stones found scattered across the Shropshire and Welsh hills are echoed in the shapes of the ceramic pieces.

“Utilising photography and ceramic printing techniques allows for photo realism to be combined with more abstract mark making to build up layers of images. Once screen-printed the clay can be stretched over molds, the print can be distorted, or small sections can be added or removed to create abstract patterns. The work is enhanced by the addition of glazes used in a painterly style. Through this ceramic artwork, I am interested in conveying the peace and contemplative qualities which one can experience when immersed in the natural environment. I seek to enhance the qualities of porcelain and to reflect nature; the whiteness of a perfectly round pebble, the seemingly scratched patterns found in stones and the smoothness of sea-worn shells inform the design and surface quality.”

Ruth has exhibited widely at international and national festivals, taught at the University of Wolverhampton and has created brick and ceramic public art sculptures.

At this demonstration / workshop Ruth will talk about her inspiration and work and show us her screen-printing process/techniques, culminating in a chance to have a go ourselves!

The workshop element will be carried out in pairs, each working with an example screen provided by Ruth. You will need to bring along some basic equipment for the workshop activity, including slab making equipment (rolling pin, guides, board or material), squeegee (or large rubber kidney), and protection for the table and floor. There may also be other optional items which we will tell you about ahead of the demonstration date.

Further details of her work can be seen on her website:  Ruth Gibson Ceramics

Sunday 21st September 2025

10:00 am – 4:00 pm.  Arrival from 09:30 am onwards,

£30 for SCG members and PACS Potters members and £40 for guests.  This includes costs for materials for the workshop (clay, black underglaze, etc).

Herne Farm Leisure Centre, Petersfield, GU31 4PJ

Bookings should be made via the Southern Ceramic Group website. Registration is required for all attendees.

Please use the form below to book your place(s) at the demonstration, and to make your payment online securely by credit card or debit card. Also – please note that any cancellations requested more than 2 weeks ahead of the event will be refunded in full, after that period no refunds will be issued however your place may be transferred to another named person.

Lunch will be our famous sharing buffet (please bring crockery and cutlery to save washing up!) – please bring a contribution with a description of the dish clearly labelled for those with allergies or diet sensitivities – but please STRICTLY NO nuts of any type please, to avoid any nut allergy issues. 

Tea, coffee, biscuits will be provided.

There will be a raffle for an item of Ruth’s work during the demonstration/workshop.

There are a limited number of places due to the space and equipment required for the hands-on workshop activity, so book soon!

We will also need some help on the day, please contact Richard Hollingbery (richhbery@aol.com) if you are able to do this.

For any queries please contact us at richhbery@aol.com

Booking Form