Just last fall, Salma Al-Hassan hosted her very first ceramics circle at Dalston Clay in London.

Although she was no stranger to the ceramic craft, Salma often found herself underrepresented in wellness spaces that were intended to feel safe and relaxing.

In a city grappling with a cost-of-living crisis and a loneliness epidemic, she decided to start earth.works, a space for Black women and women of colour to create, rest, and commune.

We sat down with Salma to talk about why she created this wellness community, the secrets to success in community building, and what plans are on the horizon for her creative project.

Q&A with Salma Al-Hassan, Founder of Earth Works

Q.1. What sparked the idea to create Earth Works, and why did you feel it was a space London’s BPOC community needed?

earth.works really came from my own experience. I was drawn to pottery as a way to manage stress and anxiety – for anyone who’s tried pottery they’ll know there’s something so grounding about working with your hands. But a lot of the spaces I found myself in didn’t feel very reflective of me or my community, and I realised I really wanted connection with people who shared similar experiences.

I wanted to create something where Black women and women of colour could access that same sense of calm and creativity, but in a space where they felt seen, comfortable, and able to fully relax. Creative wellbeing spaces for BPOC communities feel especially important – not just for expression, but for rest, connection, and community.

More broadly, it feels like we’re in a moment where people are really craving in-person connection again. You’re seeing more community-led spaces forming around shared interests and a desire to meet your people. So earth.works sits within that – creating a space that feels intentional and welcoming.

That’s really where it began – from a personal need that I realised was shared.

Q2. Ceramics is at the heart of Earth Works – why this practice specifically, and what does it offer people that other activities might not?

There’s something really unique about ceramics because it slows you down in a very natural way. You can’t rush it – the process asks you to be present, patient, and a bit more gentle with yourself.

Working with clay is also very tactile and grounding. It brings you out of your head and into your body, which can feel really relieving, especially if you’re used to being busy or overstimulated.

And I think there’s something powerful about creating something with your hands – not for perfection, but just for the process. That shift away from productivity into play and curiosity is something a lot of people don’t often permit themselves to experience.

Q.3. Has anything surprised you while building this community, and has the experience changed you in any unexpected way?

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is how important it is to ask for help – and to actually accept it. I’ve always been extremely independent, and I’m used to just getting things done by myself. That drive has been really helpful in starting something like earth.works, but building a community isn’t something you can or should do alone.

Learning to lean on others, collaborate, and let people support the vision has been a real shift for me. It’s still something I’m working on, but it’s made the process feel a lot more connected and sustainable

I’ve also become much more aware of what it means to hold space for others. It’s not just about running workshops – it’s about creating an environment where people feel comfortable, seen, and able to show up as they are. It’s something I’m still learning as I go but is a very meaningful part of the process.

Q.4. Are there any moments that have reminded you exactly why you started this community?

The connections that have come out of this have been really special.

After spending some time away from London, I came back wanting to rebuild a sense of community – and through earth.works, I’ve met such an incredible group of women. Some of those connections have continued beyond the workshops, and we’re even planning a small retreat together in Wales.

That’s been a really full-circle moment for me – because creating a space where people could form genuine connections and friendships was always part of the intention.

Q.5. What does the future hold for Earth Works — any new workshops, collaborations, or directions you’re excited about?

I’m really excited to keep growing earth.works through collaboration. I’ve recently hosted a workshop with a friend from Listen Journal, which felt like a really natural alignment, and I’d love to continue working with other creatives and wellness practitioners in London – and maybe even beyond.

The next workshop is coming up at the end of May at a beautiful, female-led studio in North London called Rochester Square Studio & Garden, which I’m really excited about.

Longer term, I’d love to expand into more regular workshops, retreats, and different types of creative experiences – continuing to build spaces that centre rest, creativity, and community for BPOC women.

earth.works is hosting their next ceramics circle on May 30th at Rochester Square studio & garden in London. Follow their instagram to stay tuned on upcoming workshops, retreats, and expansions into other creative and wellness spaces.