Illustration students collaborate with renowned Leach Pottery
14 November 2025
A collection of student-designed decorative plates made in collaboration with Leach Pottery is now on display in the glass cabinets at Falmouth Library.
Created by second-year Illustration BA(Hons) students last spring as part of a collaboration module led by Senior Lecturer Linda Scott, the plates were previously included in an exhibition celebrating the tradition of Cornish pottery and the expressive potential of contemporary illustration at the St Ives September Festival earlier this year.
The world-renowned, long-standing pottery studio was founded by Bernard Leach in 1920 and is now among the most respected potteries worldwide. Collaborating with Leach Pottery offered the illustration students a chance to learn about the craft from leading practitioners.
The trip began with a lecture from Dr Jeanie Sinclair who shared with the students the rich history and enduring legacy of Leach Pottery. This was followed by a drawing workshop led by Julie Ann Monks, which allowed students to develop thematic ideas and create initial sketches for chargers and a collaborative tile design.
Each of the charger plates were hand-thrown by Leach Pottery’s apprentice potter Callam Cowie before the students applied their own designs, using a range of decorative techniques such as sgraffito, stencilling, and painting with molochite slip and iron oxide. This process was guided by Head Potter Neil Robinson.
The collaborative tile design drew from sketches, reflections and impressions gathered during the students’ visit — capturing their creative response to the environment, craft and heritage of Leach Pottery. Working together, the students produced a series of illustrated ceramic works that celebrate Cornish wildlife and traditional craft.
Reflecting on the trip, student Elliot Quick said: “Collaborating with Leach presented an exciting merger of practices! We were lucky to have complete creative control of the project alongside expert guidance on applying our designs to the unfamiliar medium.”
The charger plates are currently on display in Falmouth Library until the end of November.
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