David Westcott and Alice Gare took over Welcombe Potttery in 2003. Set in an old smithy, it was developed into a pottery and gallery in 1972.
Alice Gare
I have always loved making and decorating things as far back as I can remember. After studying Fine Art at WSCAD, Farnham, in the early 90's I became a full time potter, working with David. I went on to study glass crafts in 2010 and have been lucky enough to develop both practises alongside each other here in Welcombe.
I handbuild individual pieces in earthenware and porcelain, using lots of different techniques to explore colour, texture and form. Fascinated with
surface decoration, I design transfers from my own prints, using slips and pressing plants and found objects into the clay body. Both my glass and ceramics are inspired by the sea and big skies here on the North Devon/ Cornish coastline. I feel very fortunate to have such a creative job.
David Westcott
A degree in ceramics in the early 1970's set me off on a life in clay. I was completely hooked
with this amazing material and have spent a lifetime exploring it, using different clays and glazes
over the years, finally settling on stoneware and porcelain, making pottery for everyday use.
Design and use are all important to me, producing pottery that is good to handle with a simplicity of
form, and glazes that have depth and movement.
Glazes have always been a passion for me, formulating new ones, tweaking old ones and every
firing sees a few glaze tests in it.
My work continues to change, with new shapes and glazes being developed continually.
It's been said before, but one lifetime can barely scratch on this complex and diverse material.