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Dan Nasirpour

Dan Nasirpour

Oxpots - East Oxford Community Centre

When I arrived in Oxford in 1986 I looked for a ceramics studio, one like I had enjoyed for many years when I lived in Cardiff. Eventually, I found two, small, dilapidated and therefore unused rooms in East Oxford Community Centre
exterior view of East Oxford Community Centre seen from the Cowley Road [1]   exterior view of East Oxford Community Centre seen from the Cowley Road[2].
However, the rooms needed considerable maintenance before they could be used for anything. Water was entering through a ceiling and as a consequence the electrics were unsafe, then there was a whole host of other jobs requiring attention before potting could commence.

preliminary plans for the studio drawn in a note book [3]   preliminary plans for the studio reproduced from drawings in a note book [4] Drawings showing preliminary plans for the development of the two rooms . The completed studio includes benches suitable for a person in a wheelchair. Funding for the building conversion and ceramics equipment was obtained from several sources including; Oxford City Council, Oxford County Council, ITV Telethon Trust, the National Association of Community Centres and others. I estimated it could take up to three years to complete the maintenance and the job of fitting out the pottery studio. With a lot of anxiety and frustration, the project came in on time. The workshop is still used on a regular basis by two artists in residence who manage small groups and operate these workshops under the name Oxpots.

Photos of the Oxpots community pottery studio taken in April 2007
photo showing the shelves in the studio [5]   photo showing glaze materials stored in jars on shelves [6]   photo of a corner of the pottery studio [7]   photo showing a potter at work on a ceramic piece [8]   photo of the kiln room showing two electric kins, one with the top open [9]   photo of the studio showing a work bench and shelves stacked with wares in various stages of production [10]   photo of the studio showing a work bench and shelves with wares in various stages of production [11]

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page last updated 14.02.2022