January 2023

I fulfilled my soul’s longing for a return visit to El Torn, the pottery school in Barcelona where I had spent a monthslong learning residency in 2011-12. The facility has moved into larger storefront premises in Barcelona’s vibey, artsy and modern Poble Nou district. The new space enables an expanded offering of beginner to advanced wheel-throwing and hand-building classes provided by a team of 7 staff, with 4 kilns, and 40 different studio glazes. El Torn also features 60 compact “co-working” studio spaces for short and longer-term rental by potters from anywhere in the world who are seeking to learn, enjoy and experience ceramics in community. I am just one of the early names on a growing list of potter alumni from more than 20 countries who have been resident here.


I was graciously hosted and welcomed to El Torn by Paula Loew (pictured here at the school entrance) who now leads the thriving enterprise as Founder-Owner and Managing Director. Much-loved Martin Loew, my beloved master teacher of wheel-throwing, passed away in 2021 at the age of 72.