Phil Rogers was born in South Wales in 1951. In 1977 he returned to Wales after four years teaching art and ceramics in England to open his own pottery at Rhayader.

The move to his current location, Cefn Faes Farm, came seven years later in 1984. He built a 65 cu ft oil-fired downdraft kiln for the reduction firing of stoneware, and a year later a 40 cu ft kiln for salt glazing.

Phil's specialties are salt glaze and reduced stoneware. He uses local minerals and wood ash for his glazes. He has traveled the world giving demonstrations, lectures and workshops, and is a popular author on ceramics. He has recently made appearances on Harlech Television.

His work has been exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum; the National Museum of Wales; Newport Museum; Buckinghamshire Museum; the City Museum, Stoke-on-Trent; the Princesshof Museum, Netherlands; and the Keramic Museum, Hohr Grentzhauzen, Germany. Phil is a fellow of the Craft Potters Association, and served four consecutive terms as chairman from 1991 to 1994.

A few words about Phil's workshop;

If you missed this workshop, you missed the boat!

It was a joy to attend Phil's workshop. It is easy to watch him work. He is an articulate speaker and has a wealth of information to express. His demeanor and throwing style are relaxed and at the same time inspire throwing and thought.

I was impressed with his ability to get his point across without pushing an issue, and yet, felt completely at easy asking questions.

His work is simple yet a pleasure to look at. By his own admission he decorates in a minimal way, yet his pots are beautiful. When he does decorate he adopts a "Just Do It" approach. He believes too much thought in decorating leads to over-working the pot. Quick deliberate movements and methods make the best decorating.

I would, without doubt, not hesitate to attended his workshop again if I had the opportunity.

Thanks Phil, for a great workshop!