Aberdeen Potter to Exhibit Coastal-Inspired Ceramics at Leading Design Market
An Aberdeen potter, who is inspired by the area’s beaches and coastal walks, has secured a spot to showcase her work at a prestigious design market.
Kicking off Tea Green Events’ national programme of winter design markets, over 50 independent designers will descend on Aberdeen Art Gallery on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November 2025 (10am – 5pm and 11am – 4pm respectively).
Amongst those exhibiting their work is Peterculter-based Juliet Macleod of The Cloud Pottery, who will exhibit and sell her beautiful pots.
Juliet, a former graphic designer, discovered her love of ceramics through winter evening classes at Gray’s School of Art.
Quickly evolving into a full-time business from her home studio, Juliet makes wheel-thrown porcelain inspired by the Scottish coast, specifically the local coastline and the Outer Hebrides, where she has since discovered generations of family links. Using sketches and photographs collected over the years, her pieces aim to engage viewers and evoke their own memories.
While enjoying walks locally, from Aberdeen beach and South Harbour in the city to the rural beaches of Cruden Bay and Balmedie, Juliet also collects and repurposes shoreline waste such as metal, plastic and rope into handmade tools for abstract mark-making that reference specific coastal landscapes and the effects of changing weather and light.
Juliet said, “If it hadn’t been for these three months of evening courses at Gray’s, I may never have become a potter but it was one of those experiences that changed my course. A line in the sand, and a fantastic experience which led to a surprising, full-time second career.
“After attending Tea Green’s winter market at the Burrell Collection last November, it’s absolutely wonderful and truly humbling to be selected to exhibit at this year’s Tea Green market at the Aberdeen Art Gallery, a market I’ve wanted to exhibit at for a long time. Tea Green attracts phenomenally talented makers and I’m proud to be part of that.
“Potters often tend to be solitary workers, so any event that brings you into the company of your peers is wonderful. I also prefer selling face-to-face. Since the COVID pandemic, I’d say more people seek out items designed to last a lifetime – there’s been a re-embracing of craftsmanship and a greater understanding of what’s involved in making something by hand versus by machine, and it’s only by engaging in person that you can capture that value and context, and truly connect.”
Climate change, coastal erosion, and marine litter also influence Juliet’s work, as she regularly collects a wide range of materials, including plastic and rubber, as well as grasses, sheep’s wool, and rope, for use in mark-making.
She added, “Unfortunately, it’s rare to see a beach that’s not littered in rubbish or marine waste so, if I can use it to make these decorations and patterns, that’s a great way to remove them from the beach, minimise their impact on nature, and re-use them.”
Specialising in carefully curated markets within some of Scotland’s most stunning creative spaces, Tea Green Events was launched by Dundee jeweller Joanne MacFadyen in 2014, who had observed a lack of events for local designers to showcase and sell their creations.
Joanne added, “As someone dedicated to celebrating Scotland’s creative talent, it’s a real pleasure to return to Aberdeen and see the growing creative community come together to showcase their work. Buying local, hand-crafted goods like Juliet’s not only supports small businesses but also makes environmental sense. Made with love and care to last, they’re the perfect choice for a spot of Christmas shopping.”
Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesperson, said, “I want to congratulate Joanne on the important work she’s done over the past 11 years showcasing Scotland’s creative community through the Tea Green design markets. We’re particularly pleased to welcome Juliet Macleod of the Cloud Pottery to the winter market at Aberdeen Art Gallery. Juliet received a Micro-commission award in 2021, an annual programme delivered by the Gallery to support local makers. Her beautiful work is now part of the collection. Visitors to the Tea Green markets can enjoy meeting the makers and buying direct from them, while enjoying the stunning surroundings of the Art Gallery.”
For more information about Tea Green Markets and the programme of events, visit https://www.teagreen.co.uk/
ENDS