Jackie Zehnder, Ceramicist

Fern Ceramics is an independent ceramic studio run by Ceramicist, Jackie Zehnder.

Fern Ceramics is located to the east of Dumfries and Galloway between Canonbie and Langholm in an area of natural beauty and historic significance; the Langholm moors and the reiver trails.

Jackie’s creative journey is somewhat unconventional in that it developed alongside home schooling her 5 children over a period of 12 years. She initially attended short courses and subsequently developed her own personal style independently. Nature plays an important role in her work recently.

“The process starts with a fascination for the diversity of leaf types. Before the process of making begins I am often found foraging in hedgerows and undergrowth searching for the “perfect” leaf for the desired project.”

“The personal expression of ceramics I apply to my work is known as “The Slabbing Technique.” This process involves rolling clay into flat sheets which I then emboss with plant material and then fold around moulds to create vessels for functional or ornamental use. I like to leave the edges raw and irregular which serves to make each item a unique product and adds to the overall mood of the pieces.

Once dry after around a week, depending on the size of each item it is then fired to 900 degrees which leaves it semi porous and ready to add oxide and glaze. The oxide applied to the embossed areas recreates the leaf in a vibrant way and with unbelievable accuracy. People often comment on my work saying that they have never observed such detail on leaves. They also delight over feeling the mirrored image of the leaf on the ceramics. It’s as if the fact that it’s recreated on my ceramics out of context makes them notice nature in a new way. Items are then clear glazed and fired again but to 1,240 degrees which results in a robust stoneware product.

Lockdown in 2020 was a turning point when my outlet for selling my work, at a local gift gallery, sadly closed down. Wondering how to move forward with promoting my ceramics I decided to open my own studio and gallery. This took place a little over a year ago and was the start of a new phase for me in expanding my creativity and challenging me personally.

In December 2021 I opened my Studio as a Christmas Gift Gallery where I also had the work of 14 different Creators alongside my own. This was a success and something I am intending to repeat again each year.

The new year saw me involved in delivering courses which were part of a post covid community outreach to encourage the community to socialise again. This was very rewarding and something that I am continuing this winter.

For the first time, I took part in Spring Fling 2022, which was the next big step in my creative journey. It was such an inspiration to be involved in a prominent artists event and to become more involved with so many like-minded people. The involvement was a real encouragement so much so that in 2023 I am hoping to hold/ organise a drop in coffee and cake opportunity for artists to chat and chill together and be encouraged inspired and feel connected with fellow artists in the area.

Maggie Broadley manages and supports delivery of a range of DGU’s activities as our Programmes Manager. Maggie originally joined DGU as Development Officer East in February 2018, after 13 years leading Scotland’s only officially designated Craft Town.

Maggie is a prize-winning graduate of the Ceramics department of the Glasgow School of Art and has exhibited her studio ceramics across the UK, in Ireland and in Amsterdam. In 2004 Maggie began working to support the development of West Kilbride’s Craft Town. Leaving in 2013, she was described as “a driving force; her vision, talent and determination recognised locally, nationally and internationally.”

“Living ‘across the border’ in East Ayrshire, I was aware of Dumfries & Galloway’s creative community. It’s been a real privilege to be a small part of that since joining DGU. As well as Spring Fling, Wigtown’s Book Festival, Kirkcudbright Art Town and Moniaive Festival Village, the mix of creative practitioners and organisations delivering a diverse range of exhibitions, events, activities, and projects across the region provide me with constant inspiration. It’s been wonderful to see how they enrich local cultural life whilst contributing to the health and well-being of individuals and communities, from Stranraer to Langholm, Sanquhar to Castle Douglas.

It is incredibly tough to choose 3 stand out moments from a plethora of memorable moments as part of the DGU team, so this is very much a representative sample of excellent memories to date, as I look forward to many more!

The first was when I discovered I’d been successful at interview. I loved those early days of getting out and about, meeting creatives and developing supportive professional relationships. I remember my first DGU drop-in session hosted by Tina Fiske at CAMPLELINE, and our wonderful conversation about this fantastic independent arts organisation. It’s there I also met artist Bea Last for the first time, such a unique creative voice underpinned by environmental concerns around waste. Another of my early DGU projects was cocreating a bid to the Freelands Artists Programme. Whilst the bid wasn’t selected, working collaboratively with Matt Baker of the Stove and Amy Marletta of Upland strengthened our working relationship and emphasised their drive, commitment and the impact of genuine practitioner focussed and locally driven creative activity, also two passions of mine.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed discovering ‘new to me’ creative practitioners through my role with DGU, and that’s led me to move outside my ‘creative comfort zone’. Another highlight has been being part of the Women Over 50 project, developed by photographer Kim Ayres and writer Carolyn Yates. Starting off with a series of powerful photographs by Kim, Carolyn then wrote Gaze, a spoken word film funded by a Bright Sparks Award from DGU. It was such a privilege to see it performed after lockdown as a stage play at Catstrand.

Supporting young people to develop their voice and creative potential is an art in itself; I have been inspired by getting to know Jess Fusco-Naish through her work with Moniaive Young Theatre Makers. DGU’s ‘Get Involved, Get Inspired’ fund supported their production of “The Magic Paintbrush” and being part of the audience seeing them perform at Glencairn Memorial Institute was joyous. I remember Jess talking animatedly about finding support for young writing and performing talent Naomi Watson, whom she tutored. I was incredibly honoured to be invited to see Naomi in “Wee Yin”, a one woman show cocreated with Jess and performed by Naomi with the support of their family, friends, fellow creatives, local businesses and the community of Moniaive.”