The Melville Mud Room
Providing a safe creative space to find your way with clay
I offer regular classes, one-on-one clay sessions, group events, family creative time and independent studio time from my pottery studio in Melville, Johannesburg. Clay provides infinite possibilities to explore, create, play, heal and to gently let go of preconceptions of ourselves and limiting self-attitudes.
My Story
Clay slows me down. It calms me. I touch the clay and the clay touches me. I started finding my way with clay a decade ago. Initially I made tentative pinch pots on my own at home. Forming the clay amazed me – I was like a child again creating mud pies – and I felt as satisfied with my clumsy creations as I had when I was young.
The clay has revealed to me much about myself - my resilience, my creativity, my ability to explore and play – but also my impatience. I make imperfect vessels and I like my creations to expose the story of the making. Clay was a lifeline during a time of immense trauma and grief in my life. Through clay, being in touch with the earth, with a most elemental and primal process of transforming the earth into a ceramic material - touching the clay, forming the clay, having the clay touch me back - I was able to find my way back to life.
Cornelia Elbrecht writes “Follow your hands! Your hands know the way; in your head you will just stay in the known; in order to explore the unknown and find new ground, you need to trust your hands and follow the impulses in them…”
The clay has revealed to me much about myself - my resilience, my creativity, my ability to explore and play – but also my impatience. I make imperfect vessels and I like my creations to expose the story of the making. Clay was a lifeline during a time of immense trauma and grief in my life. Through clay, being in touch with the earth, with a most elemental and primal process of transforming the earth into a ceramic material - touching the clay, forming the clay, having the clay touch me back - I was able to find my way back to life.
Cornelia Elbrecht writes “Follow your hands! Your hands know the way; in your head you will just stay in the known; in order to explore the unknown and find new ground, you need to trust your hands and follow the impulses in them…”
“It is the pots we are forming, yes. And it is ourselves as well”
- MC Richards
- MC Richards
Bio
I am part of the first cohort of students in South Africa to study art therapy at the University of Johannesburg. I intend to practice as an art therapist once I have completed my Master's degree in art therapy.
I have facilitated many arts-based workshops over the years. I am passionate about working with clay and its ability to heal.
I have facilitated many arts-based workshops over the years. I am passionate about working with clay and its ability to heal.
- Certified Creative Grief Practitioner - Creative Grief Studio
- BA HONS Art Therapy - University of Johannesburg
- Masters in Heritage - University of the Witwatersrand
- Advanced Diploma Visual Art - Unisa
- Community Art Counsellor - Lefika la Phodiso
- Working with Groups (year one) - Ububele
Certified Creative Grief Practitioner - Creative Grief Studio
•
BA HONS Art Therapy - University of Johannesburg
•
Masters in Heritage - University of the Witwatersrand
•
Advanced Diploma Visual Art - Unisa
•
Community Art Counsellor - Lefika la Phodiso
•
Working with Groups (year one) - Ububele
CLASSES
I work from my studio in Melville, Johannesburg. I provide a safe, creative space for people of all ages to find their way with clay. I offer weekly pottery classes, one-on-one sessions, independent studio time, group events and family time. Over and above these sessions, I also present workshops from time to time and these are advertised on my social media platforms. Please email me for details and costs.
Use the contact form below for more details- Creative grief support sessions – These can take place in person or online.
- Clay sessions – I have a love for clay and its healing benefits, and offer individual healing clay sessions.
- Occasional workshops - I offer workshops in doll making and clay experiences.
Creative grief support sessions – These can take place in person or online.
•
Clay sessions – I have a love for clay and its healing benefits, and offer individual healing clay sessions.
•
Occasional workshops - I offer workshops in doll making and clay experiences.
WHY CLAY?
The enjoyment of clay is innate. We need only look to infants who, as soon as they are able, grasp soft objects. A toddler delights in pounding playdough and young children gravitate towards wet soil which they transform into mud pies. As adults we forget to have fun, and clay allows us to laugh at our spectacular flops and delight in our mini-masterpieces. Best of all, the messiness of clay means we cannot multi-task. Between the slips and clay, there is no room for an electronic device, there is however plenty of room for you to explore and create.
Even seemingly small creative acts can have as much impact as bigger acts of art making. In the words of Kurt Vonnegut "To practice any art no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow". When we are creative, we get to engage with challenging questions in a way that is non-threatening and doesn’t require the effort of a verbal answer.
To this end, I also offer individual two-hour healing clay journeys. These sessions are particularly beneficial for people who are significantly bereaved. The cost is R950 per session, including materials and firings.
Even seemingly small creative acts can have as much impact as bigger acts of art making. In the words of Kurt Vonnegut "To practice any art no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow". When we are creative, we get to engage with challenging questions in a way that is non-threatening and doesn’t require the effort of a verbal answer.
To this end, I also offer individual two-hour healing clay journeys. These sessions are particularly beneficial for people who are significantly bereaved. The cost is R950 per session, including materials and firings.
Contact
For more information or to book a session please email me using the contact form.
