New Community Pottery Studio Opens in Liskeard

A new not-for-profit pottery studio has opened in Liskeard this spring, aiming to bring creativity, connection and wellbeing to the town.

The Clay Haven CIC, founded by community arts practitioner and ceramicist Claire Menear, is based at the newly developed Liskeard Cattle Market site. The space has been designed to welcome people of all ages and backgrounds to explore creativity through clay.

A Space Built for Community

The studio offers a range of pottery experiences, including workshops, five-week courses, open-access studio memberships and community-focused programmes. These are intended to support mental health and help reduce social isolation.

Claire Menear said the project was shaped by her own experiences:

“The Clay Haven was born from my own experience of how powerful creative spaces can be in helping us reconnect with ourselves and with others. I wanted to create a space where anyone can walk through the door and feel welcome, regardless of their experience or circumstances.”

Claire has a background in mental health, advocacy and community support, which has influenced the direction of the studio.

Strong Local Support Before Opening

The Clay Haven has already received significant backing from the community. Workshops sold out ahead of opening, and a crowdfunder was supported by local residents and organisations.

The project has also received funding support from Cornwall Council’s Social Inclusion Fund.

Alongside its classes and programmes, the studio will include an in-house retail space where work by Cornish artists will be showcased and sold, providing opportunities for local makers.

Launch Event Set for April

The official launch event is scheduled for 24th April 2026 at 5pm at The Clay Haven CIC in Liskeard Cattle Market.

The event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Fynn Allen, winner of Channel 4’s The Great Pottery Throwdown.

Looking Ahead

The Clay Haven aims to grow into a creative space for South East Cornwall, with plans to offer subsidised sessions, partnerships with local organisations and opportunities for people who may face barriers to accessing the arts.

Claire added:

“This is about more than pottery. It’s about building community, nurturing confidence, and creating a space where people feel they belong.”