Geoff & Christine Cox

Geoff has a degree in three dimensional design and a post grad teaching certificate. He taught at secondary school level for 13 years then became a full time ceramic artist 20 years ago. With Christine he founded Potfest in 1994. Both have taken part in ceramics festivals in Holland, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Japan, and have 12 years experience in ceramics event management. In 2004 Geoff instigated the Kiln Park for Cumbria.

Christine gained a degree in Fine Art and a post-graduate teaching qualification in Manchester. After a short time teaching at secondary level she became a full time potter 25 years ago. With Geoff she founded Potfest in 1994 and has helped run it since. She built and has maintained the Potfest website since 1997.
Has organised Geoff Cox for 30 years.

Andy Lowther

Andy has a background in construction and project management. His most recent major project was working on the Commonwealth Games in Manchester 2002. Since relocating to Cumbria in 2003 he has designed and built the Kirk Neuk Ceramics Studio and Gallery now run with his partner, ceramicist Annie Peaker.

Ray Pearson

Ray studied ceramics until 1969 at Carlisle Art College then spent the next 31 years working in all areas of operations management within the automotive industry; ending his career as director of operations in Barcelona when he took early retirement aged 50. Ray has spent the last four years ( with the help of Martin Lungley ) building 4 wood fired salt kilns and converting his redundant farm buildings into what is now The North Lakes Ceramics Centre, an educational establishment specialising in teaching throwing and wood firing. Ray helped build all the kilns in the Cumbrian Kiln Park.

Sue Sharp

Studied Fine Art and Ceramics at Newport, South Wales. In the early 70’s Sue worked for Maiden Lane Community Association and Freightliners Free School running Craft Workshops. She moved to Alston, Cumbria in 1976, working as an artist, youth worker, women’s study group & evening class tutor, and organising children’s pottery classes. She was a Founder member of Alston Craftworkers Co-op Ltd., a self- help marketing group and in 1990 studied vocational ceramics at Cumbria College of Art with Jim Malone. In 1991 she began working full-time as a potter, making slip-decorated domestic earthenware, and has worked with many schools and community groups making large scale tiled murals.