A Nambour pottery studio is gaining popularity as a “gym for your mental health” with its therapeutic space perfect for those looking for a social, creative or personal outlet.
The Pottery Studio began four years ago after owner Rod Constantinides realised there was nowhere for him to enjoy pottery as a hobby.
General manager Gaby Sheridan says the studio was initially set up for the region’s younger residents, but all ages are loving what is on offer. “The Sunshine Coast needed something for young people to do that was a bit different and not just going out for dinner,” she says.
The studio offers a range of classes including social clay and wine or coffee sessions, school holiday workshops and longer courses for those who want to do wheel throwing and sculpture making.
Ms Sheridan says the business directive is growing towards providing an outlet for people’s mental health through the creative process. “For us, pottery is so tactile and grounding; it’s really therapeutic,” she says.
“We really try to focus on the mental health and the therapeutic side of the process. Although it is something you come to do to make something, we really try to shift people’s focus off the result of the piece that they’re making and try to get them to be present in what they are doing and the making process.”
Ms Sheridan says the studio is becoming popular with mums who have down time while their children are at school and for baby showers or hens’ parties.
With a current shift towards local, handmade products, Ms Sheridan says visitors enjoy the process of creating something practical.
“I think it’s nice for people to make something that they look at in their house or they use, like a cup. Even if it’s not as good as something you might buy, they get a lot of appreciation out of it knowing that they made it.”
She says a lot of regulars attend to make gifts and she is always seeing trends come and go, with cups and cheese platters popular right now.
The Pottery Studio recently opened The Espresso Studio, a cafe next door that doubles as a place to sell old or left-behind creations.
“Currently they have works from last year on sale and all the money goes to local environment charities,” Ms Sheridan says.
“It’s a nice way to not waste the things that don’t get picked up.”
Ms Sheridan fell in love with pottery while living with a ceramicist during her overseas travels and has been teaching at the studio for more than two years.
The Pottery Studio is at 4/20 Brookes Street, Nambour. For more information visit thepotterystudio.com.au.