Join us for an inspiring Creative Conversation with ceramicist Jo Walker as she shares how making and creativity have helped her navigate the ups and downs of everyday life. From the rhythmic calm of the potter’s wheel to the meditative process of sgraffito decoration, Jo will explore how immersing herself in clay has shaped both her practice and her wellbeing.
In this relaxed and honest conversation, Jo will reflect on how creativity became a lifeline after the birth of her second child, and how teaching others to make has become just as meaningful as the work itself. She’ll talk about her love of natural forms and modernist design, the evolution of her work, and the quiet power of taking time to slow down and create.
Whether you’re curious about pottery, interested in the link between creativity and mental health, or just looking for some inspiration, this is a conversation not to miss.
Jo Walker is a Fife-based ceramicist creating thoughtful, tactile pottery from her studio just outside Dunfermline. Originally trained in jewellery at Edinburgh College of Art, she discovered a deep love for working with clay over a decade ago - a medium she continues to explore and evolve through wheel throwing, coiling, slip casting and surface decoration.
Much of Jo’s work is inspired by the overlooked beauty in nature, weeds and wildflowers, pebbles and wings, expressed in her delicately detailed botanical range. Her bold, geometric pieces, on the other hand, reflect a passion for mid-century design and architectural forms. Jo’s signature use of sgraffito brings a sense of drawing to her ceramics, revealing fine lines and contrast through layers of coloured slip and raw clay. Recently, she’s been experimenting with the tactile interplay of glazed and unglazed surfaces, adding another sensory dimension to her work.
Jo’s practice is grounded in the joy of making and the sense of calm and focus it brings. Her teaching aims to share not only skills but the emotional and mental health benefits of creativity itself.
Wednesday 6 August
Design Suite, Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy
6pm - 7pm
Tickets are Pay What You Can - £1, £3 or £5 - so everyone can come along while helping us support local artists.
Creative Conversations happen on the first Wednesday and third Thursday of each alternating month, and they’re all about making space for inspiring stories, new ideas, and friendly faces. We’d love to see you there.