Gather with us to create, connect, and heal through clay, fire, and nature-inspired art in beautiful Derbyshire

Women's Circle with Clay, Fire & Community

A non-residential four day course over 2 weekends

September 5-6th and October 3-4th, 2026

10-30 - 3.00pm each day

Weekend One : September 5th - 6th

Over our first weekend, we will co-create a sacred space within a circle of trees as we work with story, poetry, movement, drumming, and ritual. Using natural materials and clay, you will be guided through hand-building pottery techniques and deep self-enquiry — fashioning your soul's responses into form, honing and expanding your work at your own pace. The clay objects you fashion will then be held safe, dried and bisque fired by Kate & Mary through September, so as to be ready for pit-firing together at the second weekend.

Weekend Two: October 3rd - 4th

The second weekend turns to the ancient, alchemical art of pit-firing. In our circle we will welcome back ourselves, each other and our claywork. You will wrap and prepare your objects for firing with your chosen combustibles. Then together, we will dig a pit into the ground for the firing and tenderly place your pieces in to be transformed. This most elemental of processes holds its own kind of magic — and Mary & Kate will accompany you through each step. On the final day, we will open the pit and retrieve your work. Time will be spent washing and welcoming the pieces, with opportunity given to honouring one another's process.

Outwardly you will leave with a clay piece (or pieces) that is entirely your own, shaped by your hands and fired by the flame. Inwardly you will have nurtured your deep self in the way that your soul has chosen.

£495 full price

(this is the total cost for both weekends)

To book in full or find out more, visit: Heartwood social farming centre/events

Special discount for Lammas available only on Heartwood's booking page until midnight on August 7th. Use the code Lammas45 on the checkout page of the link above to get £45 off a full price ticket.

Alternatively book with a £45 deposit through this Eventbrite page to secure your place. We will then contact you to arrange payment of the balance which will be due a month before the event (August 5th, 2026) and covered by Heartwood's refund policy.

Your facilitators are both HCPC registered professionals

Mary Nieder - Art psychotherapist and ceramic artist in Derbyshire

Kate Ackroyd Cooke - Art psychotherapist and ceramic artist in South Yorkshire

Description supplied by the event organiser.