Lauren Frost graduated last summer with a first-class degree in BA (Hons) in Glass and Ceramics. Now, she is inspiring the next generation of students to discover ceramics and potentially encourage them to study Art at a higher level too.
She said: “Whilst studying at the University of Sunderland, I developed a passion for ceramics and discovered that I really enjoyed sharing my knowledge and enthusiasm through teaching. Opportunities such as assisting with workshops in the National Glass Centre, at a local primary school and teaching wheel-thrown ceramics at The Hepworth Gallery had prepared me for teaching independently once I finished studying my degree.”
The Mike Davies Scholarship helped Lauren to fund the cost of an additional wheel in her new studio for the purpose of teaching.
The 22-year-old explained: “The scholarship couldn’t have come at a better time. My sister who is currently studying GCSE Art has been my first student during the lockdown. She, like most young people in the north of Cumbria, has never had the opportunity to throw a pot on a wheel before.”
Her experience was shared on her school’s social media and shortly afterwards Lauren was commissioned by the school to create a video tutorial for their ‘Creative Futures Festival’.
Lauren continued: “In the video I demonstrated a step-by-step process to create a textured pinch pot; a process that any student could easily do at home with clay and materials sourced from their house.
“I have since been contacted by members of the public and a couple of local primary and secondary schools, enquiring about teaching wheel-thrown-ceramics once it is safe to do so. The fantastic thing about receiving the Mike Davies Scholarship funding towards an additional wheel is that I can now teach multiple students at once, therefore enabling more young people to discover ceramics and potentially encourage access to study at a higher level too.”
She concluded: “I am very grateful to Mike Davies and the University of Sunderland for awarding me a scholarship which not only benefits my career as a teacher and ceramicist, but also young people in Cumbria too.”