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Bermuda Clayworks
 A century ago, trades on Bermuda were often learned through apprenticeships, a rapidly fading tradition today. But at Bermuda Clayworks, located at Royal Naval Dockyard since 1997, this tradition lives on with an informal intern or apprentice programme designed for new artists selected to join the group. Apprenticeship is a tradition that is especially important to current owner Sundee, whose grandfather was a shipwright apprentice at Dockyard more than 100 years ago. Sundee herself grew up in the Dockyard area, where her father worked while the British were still a presence there.
When Bermuda Clayworks opened, Dockyard was still a quiet outpost — quite different from the busy capital of Hamilton at Bermuda’s centre and quaint St. George in the East End. It proved to be ideal for artistic inspiration and has rapidly become the cultural centre of Bermuda, with the highest concentration of working artists, studios and galleries on the island.
What began as a small cottage industry with resident studio potter Jon Faulkner has now grown into a full-time production pottery, artist studios, main gallery and loft gallery, as well as a collective-type setting for eight ceramic artists, the majority of whom work on-site. “I love the potential for growth and creativity,” says Sundee, “and look forward to the day when we can further expand to incorporate the many other elements we would love to have, such as rooms for workshops and studios for visiting artists or a permanent art collection of contemporary pottery and ceramics.”
The Bermuda Clayworks’ tableware designs are vivid and varied. Traditional motifs are portrayed in an abstract fashion such as “Cottage,” with its bold pink cottage background with moongate, and “Jazz,” with an all-over fruit and keyboard design that is often described as reminiscent of the work by famous British decorator Clarice Cliff. Other designs include “Wild Rose,” with delicate white flowers against a soft blue background; “Dragonfly”, which intertwines turquoise and blue-green dragonflies with purple flowers; and “Dolphin,” a sprightly design of dolphins swimming in a Bermuda blue and turquoise sea. The most recent designs are “Blossom,” a cherry-blossom pink and red floral motif on a mint-green background, and “Autumn,” another Asian-inspired design of red and orange leaves set against ivory beige. Bermuda Clayworks is most well-known for its customised house plaques, seen islandwide on many of Bermuda’s homes and hotels.
The other Bermuda Clayworks artists bring a diversity of styles and forms of clay work, including elegant vases by Aubrey, ceramic jewellery by Monika, detailed patterned mugs by Rachel, terracotta wall hangings by Suzie, Bermuda-themed souvenir items by Helle, and agate vases by Carlos. The main gallery area highlights the work of studio potter Jon Faulkner, who specialises in hand-thrown salt glaze stoneware and porcelain tableware, all in contemporary and theatrical designs. His salt glaze kiln is fired using recycled waste vegetable oil from nearby restaurants.
Says Sundee, “Dockyard is a unique environment that still maintains our maritime trade combined with a place of production and industry. This is one of the few places on the island where Bermuda-made products are still manufactured.”
Whether for one’s own home or purchased for a loved one, a handcrafted gift imbued with this kind of history will surely be treasured.
Visit Royal Naval Dockyard at www.thewestend.bm.
Enjoy Bermuda's historic sites and attractions by booking your visit online now.
Interested in learning more about Bermuda history? Please see our History section.
Relax, enjoy, save and see Bermuda by bus. A blue or pink pole indicates bus stops. If the pole is topped with blue, the bus travels from Hamilton; if the pole is topped pink, the route is toward Hamilton.
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Make your Bermuda trip even more memorable with dolphins! Dolphin Quest offers fun, interactive dolphin encounter programs for all. Book your adventure today!
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Have a fun-filled vacation with a cycle from Oleander. If you can ride a bicycle, you can easily ride an Oleander scooter. See all of Bermuda...reserve one today!
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