THREE artists are working with a leading North-East ethical business to have their designs produced by potteries in South America.

Megan Randall, 23, Jennifer Allinson, 30, and Kathryn Wightman, 27, are visiting potteries in Peru in April, where they will create a range of ceramic products.

The three University of Sunderland PhD students have been commissioned to design an exclusive line of ceramics for fair trade organisation Traidcraft, which was founded by Durham university student Richard Adams in 1979 and is now based on the Team Valley, in Gateshead.

ALLPA, the umbrella organisation for all the potteries, will pay for accommodation and subsistence allowance, but the students must cover the cost of the flights and have embarked on a fundraising mission.

Miss Randall said: “We are now all busy working on our portfolio of designs prior to the visit and once in Peru, we’ll be working with ceramicists to bring those designs to life.

“Traidcraft were concerned that the potteries are not currently producing saleable work, and needed a more contemporary edge. They are eager to develop products that can be brought to a UK market.”

One of the potteries that the trio hopes to visit will be in Chulucanas. This is a town famous for its pottery that has traditions originating from pre-Inca times.

Today its ceramic ware is exported all over the world, but Traidcraft believed the university’s design insight and advice are needed to ensure the export market stays strong and provides stability for the local economy.