- The Farmer’s Arms, Lowick, Ulverston LA12 8DT
- 10 hours per week: 24 month term, freelance contract fee £9,500 p.a
- Application deadline: Midnight GMT Monday March 30th 2026
- Start date ASAP
Notes For Applicants
Grizedale Arts is a small, dynamic arts charity based at Lawson Park (East of Lake, Coniston) and The Farmer’s Arms (Lowick Green near Ulverston). We are looking for a resident potter based at The Farmer’s Arms to continue the role of outgoing potter Francis Lloyd-Jones who joined us in 2022. The post holder will teach pottery at the pub’s studio, contribute to the upkeep of the facilities including the onsite honesty shop and take a lead in programming and delivering our popular annual pottery festival Social Clay. The part time role provides free 24/7 access to a well-equipped shared studio and will suit an emerging or mid career ceramicist with an expanding professional practice.
More Information
Under director Adam Sutherland, a trained potter, Grizedale Arts now has a long and varied pottery tradition, working with artists including Aaron Angell, Ryan Gander and Laure Prouvost on ceramics, and more recently creating a successful retail line of ‘mocha ware’ that sells from the The Farmer’s Arms shop. Soon after we acquired the pub in 2021 we developed the workshop and studio spaces, making tableware for the pub. Finding a strong local appetite for pottery classes, we have since then delivered small midweek evening classes and Friday drop ins that have become central to the pub’s success. Social Clay (est. 2022?) is an annual event (next dates Sept 18,19,20th 2026) welcoming practicing Socially Engaged practice and potters and learners alike to a varied weekend programme of practical activities and workshops mixed with social events and thought provoking presentations.
What are we looking for?
You will need to be an experienced and knowledgeable ceramicist with some teaching experience. As the open-plan workshop is within the pub, a warm and approachable manner and a capacity to talk to visitors and members of the public at any time is essential. There is scope to expand the role to include further teaching and project work, and for self-initiated projects. The onsite honest shop (and potentially the pub’s website) are both available sales outlets for the Resident Potter’s work.
Job Description in Summary:
- Teaching a min. of 2 x 2hr weekly pottery classes
- Supporting Friday drop-in sessions
- General routine maintenance of studio equipment and workshop space, ordering of supplies
- Contribute to the stocking and upkeep of the pub’s honest shop
- Preparing the workshops for occasional pub-wide events such as our Winter Fair
- Leading on the programming and delivery of the annual Social Clay event
Studio Facilities & Resources in More Detail
- Shared open plan studio space approx. 20m x 10m
- Kilns: Salt kiln, 2 electric small and medium, raku kiln
- 4 electric wheels and one kick, slab roller etc
- Access to work vehicles – pickup and electric van
- Free on site parking, easy access loading
- Potential for on site low cost residential accommodation (£250 per month inc. bills)
- Additional available work in the pub, bar and kitchens
- Potential for project work on local and international arts programme
- On site retail space
The Farmer’s Arms is within a 15 minute drive of Ulverston town and train station. Although there are some buses available, a car is very advantageous.
Days / Hours:
10 hours a week. Current pottery classes run Wednesday & Thursday evenings, 6-8pm. Drop-ins take place on Fridays 10am-4pm. Social Clay and some other seasonal events will require weekend working.
Renumeration = free use of workshop 24/7 and £9,500 per year
Important Dates:
Application deadline: Midnight GMT Monday 30th March
Shortlisting by 7th April
Interviews (Zoom if not locally-based, otherwise at The Farmer’s Arms) w/o 14th April
Appointment made by 16th April
Starting date can be immediate but before end May
To Apply:
Upload on this page one document (max. 4 x A4 sides) including a letter of application & a CV
The Selection Panel will include Adam Sutherland, Francis Lloyd-Jones and one studio keyholder.
Questions?
Please contact Grizedale Arts’ director Adam Sutherland in the first instance by email, on adam@grizedale.org
Visiting the workshop is easiest during pub opening hours, but other times are possible by arrangement.
