Meet the Artists Behind Tithe Barn Ceramics Studio
On the ground floor of the Tithe Barn at Moulsecoomb Place, tucked behind the Manor House, is a bright, spacious ceramics studio shared by four artists. Their work ranges from bold slip-cast vases to delicate clay imprints of plants gathered just outside the door. Together, they are part of the growing creative community being built by East Brighton Trust, making art, skills and enrichment more accessible to local people.
Rowena Gilbert, Saya Mcnairn-Yanagi, Simon Mathews and Sarah Vosmer make up Tithe Barn Ceramics Studio. We spoke to them about their journeys, their creative practice, and what it means to be based at Moulsecoomb Place.
Rowena
Rowena has worked with ceramics since school. After studying at Christ’s Hospital and later at the University of Brighton, she spent more than two decades in a single studio producing work for galleries across the UK and internationally.
When that space closed, East Brighton Trust offered the group a new home at the Tithe Barn.
“It’s been really lovely to start fresh in a new space and become part of a new community.”
Her work focuses on slip casting: colouring liquid clay and pouring it into plaster moulds. She creates abstract, vibrant vases using clay slips mixed with oxides and stains, producing striking colours once glazed and fired.
Rowena currently works with around ten galleries, including Cameron Contemporary Art, and has exhibitions coming up as part of Artwave.
Saya
Saya is a ceramic artist who also runs an art school for children in Brighton.
“As soon as I finally got my hands on clay, I just knew that was it. I love being messy, I love working in 3D.”
After moving from Cardiff to Brighton, she joined Rowena and Simon in their former studio. When that space closed, they stayed together and moved into the Tithe Barn.
“We really lucked out. It’s such a great space.”
She says having East Brighton Trust behind the studio has made a huge difference.
“It feels like they genuinely want to support you rather than squeeze every penny out of you.”
Saya now uses the space for children’s holiday workshops and hopes to offer free summer sessions for Moulsecoomb families and lower-income residents.
Simon
Simon has been making pottery for around 40 years. He works mainly on the wheel, creating thrown pieces and developing glazes from recipes refined over time.
“You start with a lump of earth and end up with something completely different.”
For Simon, form is everything. He works on a kick wheel with no electricity, which creates a direct, physical connection with the clay.
“You can’t throw properly if you’re stressed – you have to settle into a rhythm.”
During the studio’s recent Open Studios weekend, visitors were invited to try the wheel themselves. Around 16 people took part, each creating something completely unique.
He hopes future open days will continue bringing local people into the studio to experience ceramics first-hand.
Sarah
Sarah has worked with ceramics for around 30 years and found her way to the Tithe Barn after searching for a new studio space.
“It’s an amazing space. The light is incredible, and you’ve got nature right outside the door.”
Since moving to Moulsecoomb Place, she has launched a monthly home education workshop for children and families, creating a welcoming space to learn, connect and be creative.
She is also starting an adult pottery workshop at The Skep, focused on decorative pieces such as tiles pressed with plants.
Nature runs through all of Sarah’s work, from birds and plants to detailed clay impressions gathered from the surrounding landscape.
A Creative Home at Moulsecoomb Place
What the group found at Moulsecoomb Place was more than just a studio. They found room to create, collaborate and open their practice to the wider community through workshops, events and shared learning.
Tithe Barn Ceramics Studio is part of a growing creative network at Moulsecoomb Place, alongside organisations including Culture Shift, AudioActive, Vincent Dance Theatre and Brighton People’s Theatre.
Together, they are helping make Moulsecoomb Place a place for creativity, learning and community life.
You can find out more by following Tithe Barn Ceramics Studio on Instagram.