Mirka Golden-Hann is a Czech-born ceramic artist and tutor with over 25 years’ experience in the field. She is a master of her profession with a reputation as a passionate and intuitive thrower. Whilst being a glaze technology specialist, her interest in ceramics is the pursuit of the medium beyond utility, exploring its nature to narrate and explore concept.

After graduating from The University of Westminster, Harrow Ceramics in 1999, she set up her first studio making salt glaze work. Funded by the AHRC she obtained a first-class MA Ceramics from Bath Spa University in 2009.

Throughout her career, Mirka’s pedagogical and curatorial practice has focused on collaboration, on creating learning spaces which enrich the community by forging meaningful interpersonal bonds, and most importantly on enabling others to thrive creatively.

In 2021 Mirka was invited to assist with the setting up of Messums Studios West in Chilmark and became the head of the studios in January 2022.

She is a published researcher and collaborative practitioner. Her work is held in public and private collections in the UK and abroad.

Emma J Findley is a fine artist, photographer, and art educator whose creative practice spans over 25 years. Working across fine art photography, drawing, and painting, her approach is process-led, valuing observation, material exploration, and reflective enquiry. Her work engages with themes of memory, landscape, and personal history.

Emma holds a BA (Hons) Fine Art from Leeds Beckett University and has worked across a broad range of educational contexts, from early years to higher education and alternative provision. Teaching remains central to her practice, shaping an inclusive, enquiry-led approach to making and learning. Alongside her studio work, Emma has facilitated exhibitions, residencies, and creative programmes, and continues to develop work at the intersection of artist, educator, and community practitioner.

Sandra Combes has been a member of Messums Studios since the start, first as an avid student, later on as a volunteer, and from Spring 2025 she took on the responsibilities of the studio coordinator and ceramics instructor/ tutor. Sandra lives locally and holds an Open BSc (hons) from the Open University with a bias towards Design. She brings to her work experience from her varied past careers in science and engineering and people-facing work. Her previous creative interest in textiles being a spinner, weaver and felter reflect in her clay work now.

Sandra trained in ceramics with Andy Glass and Mirka Golden-Hann, as well as learning from many of the Messums visiting artist tutors. Sandra also learned drawing and painting from Edward Scott and Laura Rich.

Sandra has a wealth of creative knowledge  besides ceramics which she enjoys passing on to Messums students, helping them to build their own creative confidence.

Lynne Heaton is an artist and sculptor with a deep fascination for translating fables and fairy tales into works of art. Lynne works in mediums such as felt, painting, collage but most notably in clay. She is a qualified art therapist who is registered with the Health Professions Council, the British Association of Art Therapists and works as a practitioner with the Family Counselling Trust Wiltshire Charity.

Lynne is an experienced clay and art workshop leader who has worked with many community groups of all ages for over twenty years.