We arrived after what seemed a long flight feeling tired yet excited about our residency  -looking tired as well! Nothing like travelling for twenty hours in cramped spaces to do that…Steve, one of the managers at ICU, very kindly met us at the airport and drove us through the flat prairie-like landscape to Kecskemet. The studio was more deserted than when we were year almost two years ago but it is part of the pleasure of being in a different country experiencing the rhythm of the area with the change of seasons moving through Winter’s end, Spring and early Summer.

After a quick tour of the place, a meal of spicy Hungarian goulash, sauerkraut salad and beer we walked about the old town…

As it is the beginning of the season for the studio there are few students here – this quietness suits me well – it will become very busy before long. We have an American artist from the University of Wyoming living on the same floor by the name of Margaret Haydon. Her interest is working with sturgeon and she has contacted the Ministry of Fisheries to talk with them – a fusion of science and art. Today, Hungary’s most famous ceramacist is on site – Schrammel Imre. A book on his work called Schrammel, illustrates his largely expressive figurative sculptures. He’ll be working in the studio for about three weeks and welcomes the attendance of students. Reveared as a craftsman and artist in Hungary so there is lots to be learned.