A NEW resident to Frome, Jane Sheppard, is a ceramic artist whose large-scale handmade vessels are being featured for sale by Studio Ashay on Catherine Hill until Christmas.
Jane learnt her craft in the 1980s whilst studying at Bath Spa University and was a recipient of a development award from South West Arts. She taught ceramics for 15 years at Bath College and was a founding member of Black Swan Guild. The connections she made with other artists there encouraged her to move from Bath.
Her work is influenced by neolithic pottery and artefacts. The vessels are made using the ancient technique of coiling, building the forms layer by layer using hand-rolled bands of clay. Each one takes about a week to build and burnish before being fired and then decorated without glazes, using just the smoke from an open fire.
Jane said, “I’m delighted to be showing my work at Studio Ashay. The colours and ethos of this beautiful shop make a really good home for it. Donna understands my work and displays everything beautifully. I’m honoured that my work is available in the town centre – it feels like a welcome to Frome.”
As an experienced teacher, Jane is hoping to run workshops in handbuilding with clay next year. She is also an ordained interfaith minister and makes unique handbuilt funeral urns. You can see more of her work on www.janesheppard.me, or on instagram as rev_jane_sheppard.
