Our Founders

Moving into Once, Founders Lindy Barletta and
Anna Stewart, photograph by Charlie Hopkinson.

The idea for Once Gallery grew from a friendship between potters Lindy Barletta and Anna Stewart. Here is a little bit more about the founders and why they created the shop and studio.

Lindy, a potter of 30 years, owns Sheen Pottery, a teaching studio and shop, a short walk from Once. Lindy’s work as a potter and teacher has brought her many friends and followers; her pottery has been included in private collections and public exhibitions including the Royal Academy of Arts. Last year Lindy was looking for a new ceramics studio and came across a beautiful gallery-style shop with original features, set back from the High Street in East Sheen.

Anna is a relatively new potter (of five years) who took pottery classes from Lindy whilst running a consultancy on design and interiors. Previously she had managed a design programme of contemporary exhibitions and events. After moving to Barnes from East London, Anna became increasingly frustrated by the lack of contemporary, thoughtfully curated spaces in her area, and decided to create her own.

Anna and Lindy both saw the shop’s potential as a combination of studio space for makers and gallery / shop space. Once was created with a simple plan to provide good quality pottery from skilled, local makers.