This year marks the sixth anniversary of Corrie Bain International Ceramics School in Barcelona, a destination for ceramicists from all over the world. To celebrate this milestone, we sat down with the school’s founder, Corrie Bain, to learn about her artistic journey, and how her unwavering commitment to creativity has taken her from her childhood studios to the far corners of the world, and finally to the heart of Barcelona.
A childhood shaped by art and nature
Corrie’s love for ceramics began in childhood. Raised in a home steeped in creativity, Corrie’s father Alan Bain was a ceramicist, and her mother Schoniad was a social worker who supported the arts. “Our home was filled with art, and we were constantly surrounded by visiting artists,” she recalls. “It was a truly international upbringing—ceramics weren’t just an interest; they were part of my everyday life.”
Born in Scotland, Corrie’s early years were spent in Greece on the island of Evia. Her parents took over the running of the Candili Mountain Pottery, designed by Michael Cardew, where people came from around the world for intensive pottery courses. It was part of the Achmetaga estate ownedby Francis Noel Baker, an idyllic yet industrious setting, alive with creativity and nature. “We lived on a self-sustaining farm filled with plants, animals, and artistic energy. It was a place where life and art intertwined seamlessly.”
Corrie’s connection to ceramics began almost as play. “I was always in my father’s pottery studio,” she says. “It was a world of exploration and experimentation, but at the time, I didn’t realise how unique that experience was. I thought every child loved ceramics.”
Beyond the studio, Corrie’s childhood was deeply influenced by the land and its flora and fauna. She recalls being taught Latin plant names by Francis Noel-Baker, the estate’s owner and a dedicated botanist. “He gave me my own section of the garden to plant and grow flowers, sparking a lifelong love for botany. This connection to nature profoundly shaped my artistic vision, especially in my later works, like the Seed Pod series.”
A lightbulb moment at art school
Even as a young child, Corrie knew that she wanted to attend art school. “The only thing that was clear to me was that art school was where I wanted to go, and I just wanted to try lots of different mediums and not be restricted to any one material , because I wanted to make art. And it was always about expression. So it was much more about thinking about, how can I express a concept, or how can I express an idea? And the medium was not really the important thing.“ To prepare herself, from the age of 12 she began taking classical drawing lessons on Saturdays, travelling an hour and a half each way to study still-life and technical skills, and building a robust portfolio over five years.
But Corrie’s journey to art school wasn’t straightforward. Facing financial challenges, she saved enough money to return to Scotland, where she juggled preparatory courses and part-time work to secure her place. Her persistence paid off when she was finally accepted to her first choice, the Edinburgh College of Art. “Getting into art school was a dream realised,” she says. “It was a turning point where I began to see art not just as passion but as a potential future.”
At Edinburgh, Corrie explored a diverse range of disciplines, from illustration and sculpture to photography and jewellery-making. But it wasn’t until the end of her first year, when she finally took a ceramics module, that everything clicked. “It was like a lightbulb moment,” she explains. “Ceramics combined everything I loved—conceptual exploration, physical engagement, and a connection to nature. I realised this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
Connecting to cultures through ceramics
After art school, Corrie’s journey took her across the globe, each destination adding a new dimension to her artistry. One of her most formative experiences was in South Korea, where she lived for two years, learning from Korean Master ceramicists in the village of Anseong in Gyeonggi-do Province, near Icheon. She visited workshops, and attended classes with master ceramicists such as Lee Yeounhyu, Lee In Chin, Lee Kang Hyo, Yoo Kwangyul, and Han Ho Hyon, learning how to make Korean Buncheong, Sanggam, and Onggi ware. “Korean ceramics opened my eyes to the possibilities of clay as both an art form and a functional medium,” she shares. “Their mastery of form and expression, particularly in abstract expressionism, was revolutionary.”
Her travels also took her to Japan, where through her friend and fellow ceramist Phil Rogers, she was introduced to Tomoo Hamada, Shoji Hamada´s grandson, and attended workshops with Ken Matzuzaki in the pottery village of Mashiko. She went on to continue researching oriental philosophy and ceramics in both Bizen and Kyoto, focusing on improving her understanding of Raku firing, and learning the art of Kintsugi. “In Japan, I was struck by the philosophy of wabi-sabi—the beauty of imperfection—and the way it aligned with my own artistic values,” she says.
Corrie also visited China, where she travelled to Beijing, Xian, Yunnan, Yixing, and attended workshops in Jingdezhen, where she learned how to work with porcelain clay alongside local potters. “In China, the history of porcelain and its technical brilliance inspired me to push the boundaries of what clay could do.” She also visited North Korea and Thailand in the course of her research on celadon glazes, each culture influencing her work in profound ways.
As Corrie immersed herself in each culture, she learned different ceramic techniques as well as the philosophies and traditions that underpin them. “Ceramics became a way to connect deeply with people and places,” she explains. “It’s a universal language that transcends borders.”
Putting down roots in Barcelona
Corrie’s path eventually led her back to Europe, where she settled in Barcelona. Initially, she came to learn Spanish and reconnect with her sister, but the city’s creative energy captivated her. “Barcelona felt like a perfect fit,” she says. “It’s a city that celebrates art and design, but it’s also close to nature—a balance I need to thrive.”
Corrie began teaching workshops and producing her own work, but she quickly saw a need for a more comprehensive ceramics education. “Many of my students wanted something beyond short courses,” she explains. “They were seeking a program that combined technical skills with creative exploration, something that would set them up for a career in ceramics.”
In 2019, the Corrie Bain International Ceramics School was born, offering its flagship three-month intensive course. “The course is designed to provide a strong foundation,” Corrie says. “It’s about giving students the tools and confidence to pursue their vision, whether that’s starting a studio, exhibiting their work, or continuing their education.”
Nature, texture and experimentation
Corrie’s artistry is deeply rooted in her connection to nature, a theme that runs through much of her work, including her iconic Seed Pod series. “The Seed Pod series began as an exploration of form and texture,” she explains. “It’s inspired by microscopic images of seeds and the organic patterns found in nature.”
The series has evolved over two decades, reflecting Corrie’s growth as an artist. “Each piece is unique, a meditation on materiality and form. I embrace the challenges of working with porcelain—it’s delicate and demanding, but it rewards patience and precision.”
Experimentation is at the heart of Corrie’s creative process. “I never repeat a piece,” she says. “Every work is an opportunity to push boundaries, whether it’s exploring new textures, forms, or techniques. For me, the joy of ceramics lies in the endless possibilities of clay.”
Corrie has also created sculptural installations including figurative socio-political works related to topics such as the Syrian refugee crisis, environmental issues and Brexit. She has collaborated with other artists on large sculptural pieces such as ‘Banquet Table Tales’ in collaboration with Antoni Miralda, exhibited at the Documenta Exhibition, and now held in the permanent collection of the ‘GrimmWelt Museum’, in Kassel Germany.
Mentoring the next generation of ceramicists
As a teacher, Corrie finds immense fulfilment in mentoring her students. “The most rewarding part is seeing them surprise themselves,” she says. “When students surpass their own expectations, it’s magical. It’s about creating an environment where they can explore, experiment, and grow.”
The school’s three-month course covers everything from glaze chemistry and mould-making to artistic concepts and portfolio development. “It’s intensive, but it’s designed to give students a comprehensive foundation,” Corrie explains. “We emphasise both technical mastery and creative expression, encouraging students to develop their own voice.”
Many graduates have gone on to exhibit internationally, start their own studios, or pursue advanced degrees. “It’s incredible to see their journeys unfold,” Corrie says. “They leave with not just skills but a sense of confidence and direction.”
Six years of the Corrie Bain International Ceramics School
As the Corrie Bain International Ceramics School celebrates its sixth anniversary, Corrie reflects on its impact and looks to the future. “These six years have been about building a community—a place where people from all over the world can come together to share their passion for ceramics.”
For Corrie, the journey is far from over. “Ceramics is a lifelong pursuit,” she says. “There’s always more to learn, more to create, and more to share. This school is just the beginning of something much larger—a legacy of creativity, craftsmanship, and connection.”
Whether you’re an aspiring ceramicist or an admirer of the craft, the Corrie Bain International Ceramics School invites you to celebrate six years of creativity and innovation. Explore our courses and visit our studio to see the pieces created by the students, coworkers and artists that form our creative community.