Welcome

Welcome to the homepage of Furzebrook Studios, an exciting centre of creativity in the beautiful Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, located in an ‘area of outstanding natural beauty’ near Wareham. You’ll find a diverse range of arts and crafts folk at work – glass, painting, drawing, print making, photography, pottery & sewing. Primarily, Furzebrook Studios are working studios where the residents work full time in their chosen discipline:

Rachel Fooks is an established ceramicist making sculptural forms in locally dug clay.
Julie Herring embraces the natural environment as inspiration for her artwork.
Wendy Jeavons is an artist creating artwork in glass and paint that connects you to the magical essence of the sea.
Peter Joyce is an internationally recognised contemporary artist who paints abstract landscapes.
Anna Tayler is a seamstress well known for making and sending hundreds of dresses around the world to children in need.
Timeline Arts has an eclectic mix of collectable studio pottery on display.
Peter Young is a photographer capturing decades of social history.

As well as creating lovely things, Furzebrook Studios offers the community an interesting selection of classes to attend. You can learn to (or improve) your drawing and painting skills or have a go at lino-printing with artist Julie Herring. Rachel Fooks does weekly pottery classes as well as ‘one-off’ sessions using hand-building techniques. Seamstress Anna Tayler can guide you through using a sewing machine, teach you how to follow a dress-making pattern and many other fun projects. Wendy Jeavons teaches fused glass including specialist processes such as screen-printing, embossing and painting on glass.

There’s also a small exhibition space/shop where you can purchase art and craft made at the studios and additionally, events are held throughout the year for you to enjoy.

Explore this website to find out more about the makers, what they do, the classes on offer and the programme of community events Furzebrook Studios have throughout the year.

We’ll look forward to seeing you!

Residents

Furzebrook Studios has 6 resident creatives… Rachel Fooks (Potter), Julie Herring (Artist), Peter Joyce (Artist), Anna Tayler (Seamstress), Patti Walczewska (Photographer) & Timeline Arts (Collector).

Pottery Classes

Rachel has been running pottery classes successfully for over a decade. The classes are for all abilities and are very relaxed and informal.

Contact

You can find Furzebrook Studios just off the A351 between Wareham and Corfe Castle. Take a look at the contact page for full details.

I have been following the ceramics of Rachel Fooks for some time, and am the proud owner of one of her sea inspired sculptures, a couple of vases and a beautiful porcelain glass bottomed bowl! I have visited her at her studio and found it interesting and inspirational to see where she works. Furzebrook Studios is a delightful hidden treasure full of creative energy. I hope to enjoy attending at least one of the classes that they have on offer!

Annie Davis ~ Journalist

I’ve been attending pottery classes with Rachel for a number of years now, and love doing pottery at Furzebrook Studios. The pottery studio is light, well equipped with lots of space to get creative! Rachel creates a wonderfully relaxing and inclusive environment where I have been able to develop my confidence as a potter, as well as make new friends. I’ve loved every minute of it!

 

Wendy Mansell ~ Human Resources Manager