About Malta

CLAYART MALTA

Malta

Malta is situated in the middle of the Mediterranean, 93 km south of Sicily. It is a rocky Island with mild, rainy winters and hot dry summers.

The Population is 389,534 persons living on roughly 316 sq km of land.

Although small, Malta has much to offer the inquiring tourist. There are a few sandy beaches, and rocky areas to swim from, these get crowded in the summer, but there is a wealth of treasure in the history of the Island.

From a potters and ceramist point of view, most of the materials we use have to come from neighbouring Italy, (mostly low firing clay and glazes), or from England.

The local clay is low firing to maximum 1000c, a lovely orangey terracotta when fired. This was used for flower pots in the past, but these can now be bought quite cheaply from Italy.

Map of Malta and Gozo

There are a few factories which produce clay products, and one or two will sell some materials to the local potters
Clay art is now appreciated much more and is on a level with other art forms. This hasn't always been so.

Some schools are equipped to teach pottery, usually as part of an art lesson, and a few people give lessons from their studios.

The trade school, Targa Gap includes ceramics with their courses and evening classes are also available. This has undoubtedly helped in the appreciation and knowledge of the whole process.

To appreciate our Island, have a look at the gallery of pictures

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