Louise Smith, Founder and Managing Director
Louise established Open Artspace in 2022, as a CIC, after previously founding a large charitable open-access studio for ceramics, print and jewellery in Abbeymount Edinburgh, now managed by Edinburgh Design School and Out of the Blue.
After running the Edinburgh Studio for 6 years she moved to London where she worked for 3 years in Arts and Heritage project-managment.
Louise studied Ceramics and Printmaking at degree and now teaches courses in surface decoration at Open Artspace, as well as managing a small team of staff.
Rowan Ormiston, Studio Coordinator and Tutor
Rowan joined Open Artspace as a member in 2022, not long after it opened, and became a studio assistant and a year later.
Rowan studied Painting and Printmaking at Glasgow School of Art, and recently graduated from a masters in Art and Archaeology, she exhibits and sells her work locally and nationally.
Rowan's pottery skills have been honed over many years; as well as teaching our beginners courses Rowan runs regular sculpture classes for our members.
Sara Jane McIntosh, Young People's Lead Tutor
Sara Jane has been working as a primary teacher in the West End of Glasgow for 15 years. After studying fine art in Florence and Toronto she spent many years working as a puppet maker for stop motion animation and making sets and costumes for theatre.
Sara Jane joined Open Artspace in 2022 and has been working both with the wheel and hand building to create functional and decorative pieces.
“I really enjoy the endless possibilities that come with pottery and the opportunity to keep learning new skills and methods of making. I love creating colourful and fun projects using a wide variety of techniques.”
Hannah Scales, Steering-Group Member
Hannah is an imaging specialist and lecturer in immunology at the University of Glasgow. Her research focuses on how the immune system responds to pathogens like malaria.
Hannah joined Open Artspace in 2022 not long after it opened, after taking a hand building course she hasn’t looked back.
“I hand build mostly geometric shapes; my pottery tool kit includes a protractor and yes, I use it! I make a variety of pots, some functional, some purely decorative. I really enjoy experimenting with clay and shape, seeing what I can make.”
Chris Reynolds, Steering-Group Member
Chris working in education and has a background in theatre arts, photography and games.
Chris has been a member of Open Artspace since September 2023, he has been enthusiastic about clay since friend introduced Chris to pottery in her home studio at the bottom of the garden.
‘I love the opportunity clay provides for expression and mastery. There are so many things to explore and then display. I like to make striking, one-off pieces, I’m very fond of a vase!’
Mhairi Macenzie, Steering-Group Member
Mhairi is a professor of Social and Public Policy at the University of Glasgow.
Mhairi joined Open Artspace in September 2023 and spends most of her time on the wheel making functional pots, with deep green and red glazes.
Elise Whitely, Steering-Group Member
Elise has recently retired from a career as a public health researcher focussing on health inequalities and is now forging a path as a professional potter.
Elise has enjoyed creating ceramic animal sculptures for many years and joined Open Artspace in January 2024 in order to learn how to wheel throw dishes to incorporate them.
“MousePots is where whimsy meets functionality. My pieces are inspired by the playful charm of animals and I’m always on the lookout for new creatures or pets to put on my next pot.”
Doninika Zeiba, Steering-Group Member
Dominika moved to Glasgow in 2017 from Poland to study Mathematics at the University of Glasgow, and now works as a data analyst for a renewable energy consultancy.
Dominika took her first introductory pottery course at Open Artspace in 2024 and fell in love with the craft, and her life has been revolving around pottery ever since.
"I work on the wheel, producing functional stoneware pottery for everyday use. I aspire to create ergonomic forms that fit into hands with ease and comfort, and that are true to the process of their making and the material of clay.
Mo Gillespie, Steering-Group Member
Mo is a Move + Change Management consultant who specialises in workplace change and its impacts on people. Her work gives her fantastic experiences and opportunities to work with people all over the world.
Mo enrolled in the introductory course at Open Artspace in late 2024, and has been addicted to pottery ever since! The studio and its freedom to experiment provides a much-needed creative outlet to balance the corporate day-job.
“I find the process of making very therapeutic – it’s a chance for me to focus on creating something tangible in the moment. I love experimenting with colours and new techniques, and I’m excited by the endless possibilities of surface decoration.”