Born in 1935, Alan Ball trained and worked as a design engineer for many years. He began making pots in 1965, teaching pottery at Highfield Comprehensive School after training at Neville’s Cross College, Durham. Alan had a studio and worked and taught as a full time self-employed potter at Washington Arts Centre for 20 years. He was a founding member of Northern Potters. He now works from his home studio making smoke decorated sculptures and one-off pots and bowls.