Originally from Scotland, Hilary studied Three Dimensional Design (Ceramics) at Loughborough University after which she completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Art Education leading to a long teaching career which continues to inform and enrich her creative process. Hilary's ceramic work captures the moods of the ever-changing landscape displaying rhythmic shifts of light, colour, and pattern. Inspired by reflections on water, shifting skies and the movement of colour across land and sea, each piece creates a harmonious dialogue between form and surface, where delicate gradations of colour and intricate geometric patterns enrich the sensory experience.

This one-year-on exhibition at New Ashgate Gallery celebrates Hilary's achievement as Surrey Artist of the Year 2025 and presents a new collection developed since receiving the award. Her pieces, which are hand-built forms using slabs of earthenware clay, can be shown alone or as part of a group. The surfaces are painted with multiple layers of colour involving a combination of techniques including paper and wax resist, sgraffito, underglaze and glaze, creating a soft tactile quality, lending these pieces complexity and richness. The exhibition brings together landscape, geometry and skilled making, offering a vivid new view of one of Surrey's award-winning contemporary ceramic artists.

As part of the Craft Your Year 2026 programme, families are invited to join Hilary's Introducing Sgraffito workshop at New Ashgate Gallery on 27 October, 11am-3pm. This free, hands-on drop-in session invites participants to explore surface design, pattern and clay, connecting Hilary's ceramic practice with Farnham's wider programme of accessible, maker-led craft activity. No booking is required.

SAOY winners are supported by Patricia Baines Trust. Craft Your Year is supported by South Street Trust.