International ceramics award for University

The Student Award for Education was presented to the University at the International Ceramics Festival 2009 in Aberystwyth, Mid Wales.

Gwen Heeney, from the University’s School of Art & Design, received a special ceramic bowl made by Ashraf Hannah and donated by Studio Pottery, to mark the award. One of the University’s recent BA graduates, now studying for his Masters in ceramics at Wolverhampton, Serge Sanghera, is demonstrating at the festival alongside leading potters and ceramicists from around the world as part of this award.

The Student Award was established to support new and emerging ceramicists and gives either an individual student/recent graduate or group the opportunity to present a project or a firing at the festival and to work alongside the world’s most respected artists. This year’s winner was Serge Sanghera, who is studying for a Masters in ceramics at the University of Wolverhampton’s School of Art & Design, with the University receiving special recognition for its work in the field of ceramics.

Serge makes large scale wheel thrown vessels, and combines his skill in throwing with his training in two Japanese martial arts – whilst the thrown pieces are rotating on the wheel he strikes it with a sword using martial arts techniques. His presence at the festival was sponsored by Studiopottery.co.uk 

2009 is the 12th International Ceramics Festival, which takes place every two years and attracts over 1,000 ceramicists and potters to partake in demonstrations, talks, lectures, spectacular firings given by renowned and influential potters and ceramicists from all over the world.

The festival is a joint initiative between Aberystwyth Arts Centre and North and South Wales Potters, and takes place at the Arts Centre, which is situated at Aberystwyth University.

Further information

Picture: Serge Sanghera demonstrates at the festival

Picture: Senior Lecturer Ceramics Gwen Heeney receives the special student award for education by International Ceramics Festival 'Master of Ceremonies' Ingrid Murphy.

For further information please contact Louise Amery 01970 622889/ lla@aber.ac.uk or Vickie Woodward, University of Wolverhampton Media Relations Officer, on 01902 32 2736 or 07973 335 112.

Photographer: Glenn Edwards