Clay Transformations: An Innovative Research Project Transforming Lives Through Mutual Recovery

Statistical analysis of questionnaires has shown that participant’s social and psychological well-being improved significantly as a result of attending the sessions.  While qualitative data has indicated that particular benefits of attendance included aspects of being in a group, the unique features of working with clay, the experience of both the process and outcome of art creation and the potentially sustained and lasting impact of workshop attendance.  Some follow-up work is currently being undertaken in order to further pursue themes emerging from the Clay Transformations workshops.

The project has been publicised through a number of websites and newsletters, an article about the workshops has been published in the March/April edition of Ceramic Review (Argyle, 2015) and a video of the workshops has also been made.

A reunion of workshop participants is scheduled for 10th April, 2015 and exhibition of a selection of work performed in the workshops will be taking place in the Institute of Mental Health at the University of Nottingham from 13th April to 1st May, 2015.

There is also a project website at www.claytransformations.info/ and linked Facebook page at www.facebook.com/claytransformations.  These sites provide regular updates on the project and encourage the engagement of project stakeholders. The main site now has 66 registered users and 59 posts and the Facebook page currently has 100 likes from followers both within the UK (84) and internationally (16).

• Argyle, E. (2015) A Potter’s Day, Ceramic Review, 272:79