A NEW exhibition will showcase the talents of up and coming ceramics makers who trained at Kirklees College.

The exhibition, The Northern Collective sees the launch of Ceramics North which will support and foster emerging new talent.

The show is in The Design Quarter at Redbrick Mill, Batley, and is the latest project from established artist Norrie Harman who operates his own working studio in the top floor space.

This group show features the work of a collective of up and coming ceramicists who have all graduated from Kirklees College and are all practising within the field.

“We are looking forward to working in collaboration with Kirklees College and the Ceramic Department, a hotbed for the most exciting graduates emerging in the field, “ said Norrie, the gallery director.

“With a series of ceramic exhibitions already planned I believe Ceramics North will become the leading destination for contemporary ceramics outside of London,” he said.

The collaboration between Gallery North and Kirklees College offers an exciting opportunity for current and past students to gain first-hand experience of the commercial side of life in ceramics.

Mark Clough, Award Leader of the Ceramics Foundation Degree at Kirklees College said: “The students will benefit from our association through invitations to participate in an exciting programme of upcoming shows. We have something very special here in Ceramics North. Watch this space."

Warren Dunn, Ceramic Specialist at Kirklees College said: “I think this is a great opportunity for students to continue their professional development, as well as being a platform to raise the profile of ceramics in the school and within the region.’

It is a view shared by Felicity Aylieff, Senior Tutor, Ceramics and Glass Department at The Royal College of Art and one of the most important figures in the ceramic industry.

She has given a big thumbs up for the new ceramics course at Kirklees College. She said: “For me this course ticks all the right boxes equipping students with all the essential tools they need to operate successfully in the creative industries. At last ceramics is on its way to becoming the sexy subject!”

Ceramics North will open with an exclusive launch event on Thursday May 6 from 6pm-8pm at the Redbrick gallery with a selection of some of the freshest ceramic work from the most exciting makers in the region.

Certainly not one to be missed. The exhibition runs until May 31.