Be an artist for the day: Liz Emtage

Maybe you wish you had taken a more creative path in your career? Or perhaps you just need a break and would like to have a go at making something in clay….?

I (Liz Emtage) run workshops where you get to experience the fun part of being an artist. These workshops are usually run over two consecutive Saturdays, and are for a mix of ages and abilities.

On the first Saturday, I teach you how to make whatever you want in porcelain clay. This is usually from my range of work using my porcelain paperclay. There is time for experimentation, making mistakes and trying out new techniques.

The work is then fired, and on the subsequent Saturday, you learn how to glaze your work. You get to choose the colours you want to use and I show you some different ways to apply them. Your work is then fired again and is usually ready for collection the following week.

I have been teaching art since I was at school in the 1980’s. I have always enjoyed teaching alongside my own ceramic practise. I worked for many years with adults and young people with special educational and physical needs - creating and facilitating art projects for them.

Currently my workshops are designed to build creative confidence and teach basic skills with the idea that those who want to can develop their own creative path. If someone is struggling, I believe in helping them (through explanation and encouragement) as much as possible, without actually doing the work for them.

I enjoy working with a wide variety of people. I have people coming to my workshops on their own or in groups - with their best friend or a family member. Sometimes I get to be with a whole family group spanning 3 generations - which is lovely. I also work with specific groups, for example, corporate groups looking for team building exercises or parties wanting to celebrate a birthday or a hen-do.  

People buy my workshops as a gift or they come along and make gifts to give for special occasions - weddings & anniversaries. They might use significant flowers or textures - for example the flowers from a wedding bouquet - pressing them into the piece that they are making; developing the story of their work and creating an heirloom for the future.

My students come away from their session feeling lighter and happier: They have escaped the daily chores and work and the kids have had a fun break away from the screens and school stresses. They have all spent some time doing something completely different and learning new skills. The bonus at the end of the workshop is they have something that they have made themselves and are proud of – either to keep as a memory of a fun event, or to gift to someone special.

If this has inspired you to want to find out more, you can view all of my upcoming workshops HERE. My next workshop will be on the 21st of June: "Summer Flowers" - make something gorgeous out of porcelain, using your favourite blooms: BOOK HERE.