Olaria Pequena (The Little Pottery) was set up by Ian Fitzpatrick from Glasgow, Scotland. After completing a degree in ceramic design at art college, Ian came to Portugal to work with Portuguese ceramic artist, Jorge Mealha. He started Olaria Pequena in 1983, in an old farmhouse outside the village of Porches, and it has been going ever since. Various people have worked at the studio over the years, but for the last ten, the combination has been Ian and Marco Correia from Silves.
While greatly admiring traditional Portuguese tiles (azulejos) and pottery, Ian and Marco do not attempt to reproduce classical styles but want to create pieces based on typical local themes that are fresh and contemporary.
