Mud Gang pottery studio helps shape local community

Mud Gang - based at the Hart Club in Lambeth North - runs inclusive pottery workshops and provides clay kits to disadvantaged members of the community.

The company was originally set up by Rachael Nilsson and Imogen Bellotti, who met as members of a ceramics studio in Peckham.

The pair bonded over a love for colours, playful ceramics and a desire to share this with their community.

But having noticed issues with accessibility and a lack of female leadership in existing ceramics institutions – despite most members being women – they decided to create their own, more inclusive business.

Leanne Viera Commins later joined the team, helping to run weekly drop-in sessions – with the focus of making ceramics accessible and affordable for all.

Recent charity work has included a crowdfunding campaign, which provided over 50 clay kits to the Childhood Trust, who work with primary school children in Brixton on free school meals.

A further 20 kits were also supplied to an ‘Art in a Box’ summer school program, benefitting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Mud Gang co-founder, Rachael Nilsson, says pottery is an important creative outlet:

“Wealth, gender, race, sexuality and disability too often form barriers from accessing and succeeding in the arts to the very people who could benefit from them most.

“Having recently applied for and obtained C.I.C (community interest company) status, Mud Gang hopes to grow and provide consistent outreach, support and representation within their community and beyond.”