COMPLETION of the second phase of work at the Create Contemporary Crafts Hub in Camborne has been celebrated in style.
People visiting the new studio during its official launch were treated to a display of pottery, a look around the facilities and a glass of wine.
They also had the chance to enter a raffle for over 100 unique mugs, donated by local and national ceramicists including Leach Pottery, Richard Phethean and Kate Malone, that raised more than £2500 – with all proceeds going towards free after-school pottery classes for local children.
The studio is fully accessible and equipped with different sized kilns, a slab roller, glaze room with spray booth, extruders and wheels, as well as a plaster room for mould making that allows users to explore slip casting. It also has a teaching area and space for members to work on their own.
The hub is one of ten Camborne Town Deal projects and Val Dalley, chair of the Camborne Town Deal board, was at the launch to express her thanks to the Create CIC team for their progress in transforming the redundant Donald Thomas Centre into an accessible creative centre.
“It’s amazing to see what has been achieved so far,” she said. “Camborne was allocated a total of £23.7m in Town Deal funding in June 2021 and the Contemporary Crafts Hub was awarded nearly £474k as part of that to turn an under used Grade 2 listed building in the town centre into a vibrant community facility.
“Phase one was completed in July 2023 when a new creative co-working space, community crafts library, and exhibition space were opened. Now the new pottery studio is finished and judging by the impressive range of work on display at the launch, will doubtless soon be adding to the wonderful range of objects being produced.
“Huge congratulations to everyone involved in making the hub such a success. It’s rapidly becoming a real Camborne gem.”
The third and final phase of the Create development will focus on renovating the current glass and jewellery studio, building a new jewellery studio and implementing a programme of exterior works to restore the building’s facade and bring it back to its former glory.
Councillor Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council Portfolio Holder for Economy, said: “I am so pleased the new pottery at Create Contemporary Crafts Hub has now opened its doors to the people of Camborne.
“Based in the historic Donald Thomas Centre, which has been brought back into use as part of the Town Deal investment, the new ceramics studio creates a valuable and welcoming space for people of all abilities to explore their creative talents and grow their confidence.
For more information, visit www.createcic.co.uk and www.cambornetowndeal.com