I make pots and ceramic art, but also do some painting and weaving. My work is usually fun, characterful with a substantial amount of silliness. I want this fun to be part of everyday life so I usually make (semi)functional work that is affordable. As a fermenter and grower, i’m also developing functional ware based on my own experience of these crafts: fermenting crocks with weights, mushroom growing pots, kombucha vessels.

I’ve recently been falling in love with local, wild clay, dug from Hoo Hole in Mytholmroyd and intend to do more clay-discovery around the Calder Valley. You can read more about that here https://hebdenbridgeopenstudios.org/artist-feature/katie-bates/

I am a member of Brier Hey Pottery in Mytholmroyd which is where I make my pots, and am also a member of the Halifax Square Route Weavers, a tapestry group.

I’m originally from Essex but spent a decade and a half in London, first at university (including an Art Foundation at Camberwell College of Arts), then working as a social researcher at the London School of Economics and then as a digital services product manager in central government. During this time I attended evening classes in weaving (Handweavers Studio) and ceramics at the Kiln Rooms, later becoming a studio member. I moved to West Yorkshire at the end of 2021. I’ve been making pots on a fairly full-time basis since joining Brier Hey in January 2023.

I also spend a lot of my time hanging out with dogs, growing food and fermenting it. I’m a trustee of the Station Building in Mytholmroyd, in my nearest town, which is turning the derelict station building into a community and arts centre.

I’m in the process of developing my home pottery studio where I will be offering the chance for people to spend uninterrupted time at the pottery wheel (and I have a few types you can try out), and/ or handbuilding, slab building with some light tuition. Dogs, fermented food, homegrown food can also be part of the day if you’re up for it. Accommodation is available too. Email me for more information.