We partnered with Common Clay to offer four one-year residencies to WCCD members based in East Sussex.

Common Clay is an artist-led ceramics studio in Bexhill-on-sea, set up to provide a shared, open and experimental making space for a community of artists working with clay, alongside a programme of workshops, classes, social events and exhibitions.

We offered four artists from low socio-economic backgrounds a one-year residency at Common Clay. This residency aims to provide artists who have limited access to ceramic facilities the opportunity to experiment with clay and engage in dialogue with studio members, visiting artists, and curators to potentially activate new ideas in their work. The residency was open to artists looking to reconnect with the making process, be more playful and experimental in their practice, and who would benefit from joining a creative community.

The chosen artists were:

• RJ Fernandez

• Joan Glasgow Ashton

• Tanvi Kant

• Katalina Caliendo

The residency provided access to the Common Clay studio one day per week , technical guidance throughout plus one studio induction session and additional tuition if required, studio visits and professional development with established artists and curators, 1300sqft shared workspace, regular kiln firings 1000-1240c, use of equipment e.g wheels, slab roller, extruder, tools, access to glazes, slips, oxides, stains etc, all materials and firing costs, exhibition/event opportunities and opportunities to get involved in the community programme.

The Residence participated in Flatland Projects group exhibition 'Taking Time'; featuring 9 artists in dialogue with one another across the themes of language, memory, community and the built up environment, responding to Bexhill as a site of creative practice, reflection, communal thinking and connection.