Why We Built a Clay Community, Not Just a Studio
by Cáit Gould, founder of Clay & Co.
When I first started working with clay, I was drawn to the quiet focus it brought me. That sense of grounding. The calm repetition of movement. The tactile feedback you get from the material. But just as strong was the pull towards the people I met through pottery. The chats across the table, the stories exchanged while sponging down pots, the way even a short session could feel like a shared ritual. It wasn’t just the clay. It was the community.
That’s the feeling I wanted to create when I started dreaming up Clay & Co. I didn’t want to open just another ceramics studio. I wanted to build a space where people could find connection, creative joy, and the chance to grow their practice in a welcoming and supportive setting. A space that put people first.
It started with a question
When I moved back to Newbury, I couldn’t find the kind of pottery space I’d come to love in other cities. There were a few local classes, but nowhere that combined access to equipment with a sense of community. Nothing with a regular rhythm. Nothing built around mutual care and encouragement. So I asked myself: what would it take to build that kind of space here?
Not a silent studio. Not an elite gallery. But a place where people could make things, meet others, and keep coming back. Somewhere informal and warm. With good tea and music on in the background.
And so I started looking for a space.
The studio as a shared table
From the start, I saw Clay & Co as a kind of shared table. One you could pull up a chair to, whether you were a total beginner or someone with years of practice behind you. One where you could shape something with your hands, lose track of time, and talk about everything and nothing with the person next to you.
Community isn’t a bolt-on extra to making. It’s at the heart of it. It’s the reason we don’t just make at home on our own. It’s why people take classes together, or book birthday workshops, or join the same course again just to see familiar faces.
That sense of belonging can be rare in adult life. And yet, here it is in a bowl you made, drying on a shelf next to someone else’s wonky mug.
Accessibility and kindness over perfection
I’ve always been clear that Clay & Co isn’t about perfect pots. It’s not about impressing anyone. It’s not about the fastest progress or the most Instagrammable glaze results. It’s about having a go. Trying things. Enjoying the process.
That’s why we offer so many ways to get involved, from beginner-friendly taster sessions and one-off BYOB evenings, to more in-depth 6-week courses and flexible membership options. You don’t have to commit to anything long-term to feel part of the space.
And we keep things small, on purpose. I believe people learn best when they feel seen and supported. Our classes are capped to make sure everyone gets a meaningful experience, and no one feels like they’re lost in the crowd.
Sustainability with honesty
Pottery is a slow craft, but it’s not always an eco-friendly one. Firing kilns uses a lot of energy. Materials need to be transported. Waste clay can build up quickly.
That’s why we talk openly about the environmental impact of ceramics, and the ways we try to reduce our footprint. We reclaim and reuse clay. We batch fire to reduce energy waste. We keep the focus on making things that last, not things that sell.
Part of building a clay community is encouraging shared responsibility. We don’t preach perfection, but we do try to stay mindful, and invite others to do the same.
Celebrating local creativity
Newbury is full of brilliant, creative people. I wanted Clay & Co to be a home for that creativity. Somewhere that champions local artists and makers, invites in guest teachers, and gives people space to grow their ideas.
We’re already seeing collaborations between members. Ideas are being swapped across shelves. There’s talk of shared markets, exhibitions, new formats.
If I’ve learned one thing from ceramics, it’s that the process is richer when it’s shared. And that’s what we’re building here — together.
Looking ahead
We’re still at the beginning of our journey. The new studio is almost ready, and with it comes more space, better equipment, and new opportunities for people to join in.
But we’re not losing sight of what makes this place special. The warmth. The welcome. The mix of ambition and play.
Whether you’re new to clay or looking for a place to deepen your practice, I hope Clay & Co can be your home too. A place where you can get your hands dirty, make something honest, and feel like you belong.
See you in the studio,
