News / People
A citywide pottery treasure hunt
A citywide treasure hunt is being organised by a potter who leaves his handmade pots, bowls and plates across Bristol for passers-by to discover.
Rich Henderson took up pottery as a career after a serious brain tumour forced him to give up the marketing company he had spent the last 20 years building up.
Instead of making new pieces of pottery, he is currently leaving one item from his r-ceramic collection somewhere in Bristol each day.
is needed now More than ever
Rich takes one pot with him on his daily walk, leaves it somewhere, takes a photo of it and then posts this to Instagram with a note of the road on which it is on – ready for somebody to find.
Rich Henderson took up pottery as a career after suffering a serious brain tumour – photo: Rich Henderson
“It’s basically me getting out for a walk during lockdown,” says Rich, 45, who lives in Clifton with his wife, Anna-Carin.
He has so far left his pottery in locations including St Werburgh’s, Redland, Henleaze and Leigh Woods.
“My pottery classes at the Folk House have stopped for the time being and I don’t like being bored.
“So to have something to do I go for a walk every day, bring one of the small pots I started off making and put them in nice places where I know people can find them.”
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Rich struggled to make bigger pots when starting pottery after his treatment as his body was not strong enough.
“Pottery is good physical therapy for me,” he explains. “And I’ve gradually regained my technique and my pots are getting better and better.”
Before lockdown began, Rich threw a record 25 pots in one day (“A record for me!”) with the idea for the treasure hunt coming from his home being slowly overtaken with his work.
Before leaving the pots – which if sold would cost around £30 – on pavements, benches and walls, Rich puts stickers on them to let people know they are his work.
“My marketing and advertising background is hard to shake off!” he laughs.
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“Some people have been a little cautious to take them, wondering if they’re really allowed to. But it’s so nice to see the reactions and then the pots being used in people’s homes.
“It’s a very nice connection to make with the people who find them.”
So how long will the treasure hunt last for? “I guess until the lockdown ends or until I run out of pots!”
Main photo courtesy of Rich Henderson
Read more: New pottery painting workshop opens in Bishopston
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