Hilary Fehr
Welcome! My name is Hilary Fehr. I am a creative, a potter and a teacher. I come from the NE of England, having lived abroad in different countries for many years I now call Gascony, in the south of France, my home.
I discovered the potter’s wheel at the age 16 and I was hooked. I went to an Art college for ceramics, learned from various potters and have been doing pottery for over 30 years.
I feel very fortunate to live in such a beautiful and peaceful place, which has evolved over the years reflecting who I am. I appreciate it all the more by sharing it with others. I love creating, connecting with people, hosting and teaching.
On the property, there is a ceramic studio, an art gallery with options to purchase, a beautiful french heritage house with a pool that is available for interns, artists in residence or vacationers.
-
COURSES
Come practice pottery, on the wheel or do hand building with the advice of a professional. Come with family or friends!
-
ARTISTS’ RESIDENCY
We are a creative retreat offering short residencies for writers, filmmakers, visual artists, designers, photographers, musicians, and other creators. It’s a quiet and distraction-free space where you can focus on your projects and explore new ideas at your own pace.
-
GALLERY
Discover the works created by the potter in the art gallery, located directly outside the workshop. A wide variety of pieces are on display and available for sale.
-
![Réalisation d'un salladier en céramique au tour.]()
On the wheel
The creation of the pieces begins on the wheel. This practice requires patience and dexterity, but allows the creation of symmetrical pieces of a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
-
![Vue sur les Pyrénées depuis Mauvezin dans le Gers.]()
Landscapes
On a clear day, observe the foothills of the Pyrenees, visible beyond the expanses of fields and the typical villages of the south of France.
-
![Ensemble de pots de fleurs en terre cuite.]()
The gallery
The art gallery brings together a wide diversity of shapes, colors and textures. There are both useful everyday objects (crockery, dishes and others) as well as purely aesthetic objects.
-
![Set of red ceramic bowls decorated with lace.]()
Lace decoration
Once shaped on the wheel, the parts are fired twice in an oven at very high temperatures, which makes them more resistant. These firings also allow the decoration of pottery.
-
![Terracotta slippers.]()
Art
The clay can also be worked very well without the wheel (by hand or “on the plate”. Other possibilities for shapes and textures then appear.
-
![Guest house with swimming pool in Mauvezin (Gers, France).]()
Relaxation
Aside from pottery, the fresh air of the southern French countryside allows you to clear your mind. The swimming pool allows you to endure the long sunny days, and to relax after practicing pottery.
-
![Centrage de la terre sur un tour de potier lors d'un stage.]()
Centering
Before being able to give shape to a first piece, it is necessary to correctly center the clay on the potter's wheel. This operation requires strength and experience. The help of the potter is often essential during the first attempts.
-
![Réalisation d'un bol au tour lors d'un stage de poterie.]()
First steps
During a first pottery course on the wheel, the movements are explained during a demonstration. It’s then up to everyone to get involved in contact with the earth!
-
![Four de potier au gaz.]()
Firing
In order to improve the strength and durability of pottery, two firings are necessary. Different methods exist (electric or gas oven). The temperature can rise to more than 1250° C depending on the type of soil.
-
![Terrasse avec vue sur la campagne du Gers.]()
Beautiful setting
The property has several century-old buildings made from local stone. Completely renovated, it combines authenticity and modern comfort.
