CREATIVE COMMUNITY
' ' I LOVE THE
SPACE AND AM
THERE A FEW
TIMES A WEEK
M
ANY of us at the College know
Chris Reynolds as a key member of
our Organisational Development team.
However, outside of work, Chris dedicates
his time and energy to a completely
different passion: volunteering at Open
Artspace Glasgow Hillhead. This nonprofit
community studio champions the power
of hands-on creativity to enhance wellbeing and foster
community connections,
specialising in pottery and printing.
Chris joined the College back in
September 2022, and his journey into the
world of pottery began when a friend, who
had taken up pottery after retirement,
invited him to give it a try. Inspired by
the experience, Chris sought out classes
and discovered Open
Artspace:
"It's a very comfortable
and welcoming space.
The teachers are artists
and makers themselves,
and there are lots of
approachable members. The introduction
courses give you a thorough grounding,
and the memberships offer the chance
to practice and develop your own skills
independently. I love the space and am
there a few times a week. Very keen!"
Hosting workshops at Open Artspace
is another aspect Chris loves. The
enthusiasm and passion people bring
to pottery makes it a pleasure. He finds
interacting with others, observing
their techniques, and building a shared
vocabulary from these
interactions enriching and
challenging. It enhances
his own understanding and
communication of pottery
techniques.
The recent move to a new
location just off Byres Road marks a
significant milestone for Open Artspace.
The new premises allow for the creation
of a separate classroom, enabling the
studio to diversify its course offerings
and run workshops for young people and