About Sea Drift Pottery
Ceramics created at Sea Drift Pottery evoke Scotland's west coast in the layered slips, glaze, sand and found clays. Mixing throwing, hand building, natural earths, collage, pattern and shapes, there is so much to discover.
Sea Drift Pottery is owned and run by Pauline Beautyman and this year marks the 10th anniversary of the studio being open in its current form. Having spent many years learning from professional potters and attending community run classes, Pauline set up her own studio in 2016 near Dunoon, Argyll. Here she creates her own style of ceramics and also teaches pottery wheel courses.
Traditionally a wheel thrower and production potter, Pauline developed a popular Sea & Sky range of tableware which very much evoked the Scottish west coast. With blue and grey glazes, each piece reminded customers of special beaches and weather battered shorelines.
The rhythm and repetition of throwing all the pots in small batches is appealing and the popular Sea & Sky pots are made on request for individuals and commissions on a larger scale.
There has however been a move away from the Sea & Sky pots, mainly due to a shoulder injury which forced Pauline into a change of pace and a change of style. She does still enjoys throwing and helping others to learn and develop their throwing techniques, but, it's definitely less often at the moment.
Hand formed pots provide a slower, more individual approach to creating and some finished items are a hybrid of thrown and hand built elements. Instead of the sea and shorelines these hand formed pots take their inspiration from the land. They provide a canvas for exploring texture and layers of various coloured clays and glazes. Pauline is keen to bring the natural elements into her work with particular use of locally found clay from the hills, silt from rivers and sand from the lochs. All providing depth of texture in the final firing and rooting each piece of work in its location.
Pauline records her surroundings in sketchbooks as many people do. Mixing print, drawing and abstract collage as a means of recording her surroundings this has developed onto clay as 'collage' pots bringing simplified shape, colours and repeated pattern. When these come together on the surface of a pot, they create individual artworks which are vibrant and exciting.
Please scroll down to find out about 2026 events where you can come see and purchase Sea Drift Pottery work, or drop into the studio if you are in the area.
Pottery wheel courses for 2026 are now open for booking
2026 events
I'm excited to be heading into a year of ceramic and art shows to exhibit my new work. It's a great chance to see and handle pieces you might like to take in to your home. If you are in the area, please do pop in to the studio to see the full range of pottery I make. Or come along in September for our open studio trail to visit a range of artists in the local area.
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'Conversations in Clay' Inverness Museum and Art Gallery Until 28 February
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Borders Art Fair 13 -15 March
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Local Markets in Dunoon and Bute Yard, Rothesay 4 & 5 April
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Potfest Scotland, Perth 12 - 14 June
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Pittenweem Arts Festival 1 - 8 August
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Summer Exhibition at Studio 44, Largs Opens 17 August
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Autumn Exhibition at Mor Studios, Yorkshire September (final date tbc)
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Cowal Open Studios, Dunoon 25 - 28 September
Getting Here
Sea Drift Pottery is situated in Sandbank, Argyll but is well connected to the central belt of Scotland only being an hour from Glasgow.
Local Directions
From around the Dunoon area: Drive to Sandbank and into the marina, keep straight ahead towards the reception office. Turn left before the office and park.
From the North
Drive into Sandbank with Holy Loch on your left. Take the first turning left in the village and the entrance to the marina is on the left at the bend in the road.
From the West
If you are visiting from the other side of the Clyde, take the Western Ferry from Gourock to Hunters Quay. When you get off the ferry turn right and follow the shore road to Sandbank. After you pass the play park on your right you will come to a sharp bend in the road to your left. At this bend, the marina is on your right.