A POPULAR pottery teacher is retiring from teaching adults at Frome College after 28 years.
Russell Coates came to Frome in 1988 to take over the extensive pottery programme at Park Road, but quickly set about expanding both the range and the reputation of the pottery in Frome.
“It was a fortunate day for Frome when Russell arrived,” said Malcolm Lloyd, who ran Community Education for the first 15 years of Russell’s career at the college. “He has such exceptional skills and was so willing to share them with all the students. Their progress under his guidance was amazing and they formed such a friendly and welcoming group – they made friendships that have lasted for years. His contribution to the college and to Frome generally has been simply outstanding.”
Across the years, amongst other things, Russell’s students have built an outdoor Snake Kiln in the college grounds, performed Raku firings in the centre of Frome, hosted legendary exhibitions and sales at The Black Swan, and travelled to Crete and Morocco on study tours.
Russell also hosted Master classes at the college and took class visits to other potters and manufacturing establishments.
Malcolm continued, “Such was the reputation that spread, gaining a place in the pottery classes was something to be treasured. Queues on enrolment day would start hours before the doors opened, and the pottery classes would fill within the first few minutes.
“Students travelled from far afield, including Taunton, Newbury and Weston Super Mare – wandering how such a teacher and the superb facilities came to be in little old Frome! Russell also added classes for adults with additional learning needs which have continued for 27 years. His assistant in those classes, Judy Swanson, has also chosen to retire this year.
“In addition to his teaching, Russell produces much sought after Underglaze Blue Enamelled Porcelain, having examples of his work at The Potteries Museum in Stoke, and at exhibitions at The V and A in London. P&O commissioned a giant tiled work from Russell for their liner “Aurora” in 1999, and Russell continues to sell at shows in Italy, Germany and Austria. Teachers at Frome College were also awarded a ‘Russell Coates bowl’ upon completion of 25 years service.
“Russell will return for just one day a week next year, with the teaching of the other classes being undertaken by Russell’s wife, Hiro, and the current pottery technician, Andrew Eddleston.”
