Material Matters 2: In Conversation

Deadline: 5pm on 27th March 2026

Taking place at Create CIC’s community crafts hub in Camborne, this course is for artists from any discipline. The focus is on how engaging with glass and ceramics can transform and inform their existing practice, regardless of their primary medium. The course is designed to inspire material exploration for artists who are already established in their own discipline, providing the opportunity to expand their practice through the voice of a new material.

The course aims to:

• Provide artists with the opportunity to experiment with new materials and broaden their practice

• Encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration and the exchange of ideas

• Foster artistic growth through hands-on learning and reflective exploration

• Build a supportive, long-lasting creative community

Participants will also be able to apply for a £100 bursary for continuing skills development.

The course will run across 10 weeks, (including a break for half term week and a week for exhibition) 8 of which include tutorials and skills training with expert guidance in glass and ceramics. Studio time will be held on Fridays from 10.30am to 4pm. There will also be 2 weeks exhibition preparation time, as well as a half day group mentoring session.

6 participants will benefit from:

• Group tutorials to encourage shared learning and discussion

• 1-to-1 mentoring sessions with in-house glass and ceramic artists, offering personalised guidance and feedback

• A group mentoring session to help artists explore professional development opportunities

• Studio access to experiment and create with glass and ceramic

• The opportunity to exhibit and present work, focusing on the process of exploration rather than a final product

The programme is open to all artists, including self-taught and self identifying practitioners, who are excited to push their creative boundaries through material exploration. To be eligible, applicants must be residents of Cornwall and able to commit to all active weeks of the course. Applicants must have an established creative practice and are ready to explore how working with glass and ceramic can transform and enhance their existing artistic dialogue.

All 6 places on this course are fully subsidised, thanks to funding from the Goldsmiths’ Foundation. Create CIC will provide studio space, equipment, and all necessary materials for glass and ceramic exploration.

To apply, you must be a Creative Kernow Associates member. The membership fee starts from £5/month.

The first four weeks will consist of skills lessons in glass and ceramics, held on Fridays (April 24th, 1^st May, and 8^th May, 15th May) from 10am to 12.30pm, followed by open studio time from 1.30pm to 4pm. These sessions are designed to help artists integrate new technical skills into their existing practice, focusing on glass and ceramics with time in the studio to play. Please note that the ceramics element of this course will focus specifically on mould making.

Week 5 : 22^nd May, 1-to-1 tutorials. With studio access from 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4pm. Participants will meet for 1-to-1 sessions with ceramic and glass artist educators and begin to formulate their ideas for their self-directed piece.

Half Term (non-compulsory) Week 6: 29^th May. Studio time available to work on own projects. Recommended group crit to formulate ideas: 10.30am – 4pm.

Week 7: 5^th June. Begin own projects: studio time: 10.30am – 4pm with tutors available for support.

Week 8: 12^th June. Work will begin on individual projects.

Week 9: 19^th June. Group Crit with tutors re: exhibition prep.

Week 10: 26^th June. Exhibition set up

Date of Exhibition to be held at Create CIC: Saturday 27th June to Friday 3rd July.

Set up Friday 26^th June. Preview: 6pm – 7pm

Take down: Friday 3rd July

• Evidence of an established creative practice, whether through a formal or self-taught background
• A clear willingness to prioritise the process of experimentation over the production of a finished ‘product’.
• A strong explanation of how glass and ceramics (specifically mould making) will transform or enhance their current work.
• An eagerness to contribute to group discussions, shared learning, and a supportive artist community.
• A well-articulated reason for wanting to expand their practice through these specific materials.

To apply, please fill in the application form below and submit separate documentation of your work in any of the following formats:

• Videos showcasing process and/or finished pieces (If submitting video files we recommend keeping each file under 100-200 MB for easy viewing and sharing. If sending via email, aim for 25-50 MB per video to fit common attachment limits. Use MP4 (H.264) format with 720p or 1080p resolution to balance quality and size.)
• Traditional portfolio images.
• Link to website including some explanation of your creative process.
• Images/sketchbook/notes including explanation of your creative process.

Please send your application form and portfolio to Angela Hatherell angela@createcic.co.uk by 5pm on 27^th March 2026.

The selection panel will be Jane Smith, Helen Eastham, Anna Harris and Sam Taft. We will let everyone know the outcome of selection by 10^th April 2026.

Create CIC is a collaboration between Jane Smith, Angela Hatherell, and Helen Eastham. The team share a passion for community engagement and accessibility for all through the diverse disciplines of glass, ceramics and jewellery. Create CIC’s home is the Donald Thomas Centre in Camborne in 2021. Create runs community events and workshops working with ceramics, glass and small metal, as well as professional development opportunities for artists.