Introducing Your Expert Guide…
Dive into the avant-garde art world with our inspirational instructor Sue Barclay, who redefines creativity with every throw. Transform your perception as you explore boundary-breaking techniques in molding, throwing, carving, glazing, firing, and much more while innovating masterpieces that chart new visions of artistic expression.
Sue is not just a potter; she is a force of creativity and resilience. With each piece she molds, whether by hand or on the wheel, she pours her heart into the clay, transforming raw earth into works of art that reflect both her journey and her spirit. For her, pottery is more than a craft—it’s a language of expression, a way to connect with the world, and a practice of patience and perseverance.
As an educator, Sue inspires all participants to embrace their creative potential. In her studio, every student is encouraged to explore and experiment, knowing that failure is part of the process and that creativity thrives in imperfection. She teaches not just technique, but confidence—empowering her students to trust their hands, their instincts, and their unique voices.
Through her work and her teaching, Sue demonstrates that pottery is about more than making beautiful objects. It’s about shaping resilience, fostering creativity, and embracing the transformative power of art. She leaves an indelible mark, not only in the pieces she creates but in the lives she touches.
Behind Goat Willow
After studying ceramics at Grays School of Art in Aberdeen, I worked for over 20 years supporting adults with learning disabilities to create wonderful and unique pottery pieces. As well as this, I have been teaching classes at Edinburgh Ceramic Workshop since 2022.
Goat Willow Pottery CIC was founded from the idea that I wanted to make pottery available to all. Having experienced what an accessible and therapeutic medium clay is, I needed to find a way to share this with the wider community. In particular reaching out to those facing challenges in life, that may prevent them from easily accessing classes.
Through funding, we have run subsidised classes, which Goat Willow Pottery CIC will continue to offer. These classes will continue through further funds, grants, and ultimately revenue from paid classes, allowing subsidised places on all courses, fulfilling the ethos that our pottery is inclusive to everyone.
When I was considering names for the pottery I sought something linked with my four children. However, this proved very difficult, so, as having a love of nature and trees, I decided to see which trees were beside the workshop. This turned out to be a goat willow tree. So rather than the name relating to the children, they all employed their artistic skills to design the logo.
Sue Barclay
Pottery Instructor and Director at Goat Willow CIC
Funding Support
Goat Willow Pottery CIC has been fortunate to benefit from funding support, allowing us to purchase equipment such as potters wheels, glaze mixers, scales and other vital pottery tools which have provided excellent opportunities for our funded sessions, and will continue to benefit everyone in the community who attends classes or workshops.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our funders for the support we have received
