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Hello, I’m Katrina Pechal, founder and principal of the school.

 

I first discovered clay at the age of 11, and it’s been part of my life ever since.  I graduated from Camberwell School of Arts in 1987 with a BA (Hons) in Ceramics. Just a few years later, in 1991, I set up my first studio—and I’ve never looked back.

 

Working with clay has always been my passion. I love creating and selling my own work (which has been collected internationally under my maiden name, Pechal), but just as importantly, I’ve always been drawn to sharing my skills with others. Teaching has been a huge part of my life for more than 30 years, and it brings me so much joy to watch students grow in confidence, creativity, and technical ability.

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My own specialism is throwing large sculptural pieces and exploring glaze surfaces with rich texture and depth. I also enjoy opening up the world of firing techniques to my students, showing how different firing atmospheres can completely transform a piece.

I’m also incredibly proud of my Full Time, 3 Month, Ceramic Development Course which has been running yearly since 2017. One of the most rewarding parts of my teaching journey has been following and mentoring students who have gone on to set up their own studios and businesses—some award-winning!

Clay is more than a material—it’s a lifelong adventure, and I feel privileged to guide others as they discover its endless possibilities.