This year's Frome Open Art Trail was a wonderful opportunity to exhibit my work in Jennifer Douglas's beautiful studio in Somerset. Sharing the space with Jennifer's playful sculptural pieces created a thoughtful dialogue between functional ceramics and contemporary art.
For the exhibition, I presented a selection of newly developed cakestands alongside some familiar forms that have become part of my collection. It's always rewarding to see these pieces outside of the studio, in conversation with one another, and to hear how visitors imagine using them in their own homes, cafés, and restaurants.
To mark the opening, I hosted a private view where drinks were served alongside hazelnut financiers and pearl sugar chouquettes. Throughout the rest of the week, I prepared a small menu of desserts to be enjoyed from the ceramics on display, including a strawberry baba soaked in strawberry syrup and served with fresh strawberries and lime, a classic marble cake, and creamy rice pudding.
Exhibiting during the Open Art Trail is always a valuable opportunity to share my work in a more personal setting. Inviting people into the space, talking about the process behind each piece, and presenting ceramics alongside pastry continues to reinforce the connection between my two practices.
