About Rebecca Cottrell

Head and shoulders of Rebecca Cottrell standing under a tree with bushes in the background
Rebecca Cottrell is a ceramics artist. She trained as a potter and has set up many studios in the various places she has lived.

Rebecca was born in Harrogate, but her parents were Londoners and her family moved south to Essex and this is where she went to school and grew up. It was also here that she met and married Stephen. They have three grown up children and two grandchildren.

She trained as a potter and in various different ways this has been her constant occupation throughout their married life. She has set up her studio in the many different places they have lived, including in the garage when they lived in Huddersfield for nine years. 

Rebecca sells the pots she makes at craft fairs and small galleries. She has received a number of commissions. She has also discovered a love for teaching others. She runs a weekly evening class for adults who want to learn how to make pots. She does occasional day master classes, and has also visited schools to teach pottery and help set up pottery studios. In Reading she taught ceramics at Reading College of Further Education. This involved teaching adults with learning difficulties as well as mainstream students. Over the years she has worked as a Learning Support Assistant in several schools, usually working one to one with young boys on the autistic spectrum. This has involved using art, and pottery in particular, therapeutically. This is something she is very interested in and is exploring further. 

Most of Rebecca’s spare time is spent in the studio, but she also loves growing vegetables, theatre, dance, and walking.

In February 2023 Rebecca was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire.