In May 2018 we started building l’Atelier de Céramique, up here in Nohèdes in the French Pyrenees mountains. The studio was largely built and furnished with second-hand materials, fittings and a lot of DIY and alterations. Our dear friend Louis even flew from Canada to help! (Poor Louis was working here in the rain practically the entire month he was here) I can honestly say that without his passion, motivation and humour we would never have accomplished what we have.

This project has had help by many friends and family members. Our dear neighbours, Nele and Michel helped on the preparation of the building and Nele donated her wooden pottery shelves which belonged to her late father (who was a potter himself). Michel commented on my uneven work of putting in the concrete floor as the northern wind ‘Tramontane’ and painfully helped me adjust it of which I learned a great deal. Kamil, Sebastian and their family helped finish off beautifully the roof, sidings, windows and doors and even installed the gate. Aart and Ton finished off our perfectly smooth concrete floor and helped us on plastering the walls. Family and friends contributed their times while enjoying their holidays here. Thank you René, Klaas, Marianne, Manja, Bas, Ingrid, Tjuut and Linde!

For me, it has been a great project and experience, my deepest gratitude to all the unsung heroes who helped accomplish and enjoy this wonderful atelier!