Illustration of the brick Necel Family Kashubian Pottery Museum in Chmielno, with white window frames, a fence and side steps beside a ceramic vase.

Chmielno, pomorskie

Pracownia garncarska Neclów

A family pottery workshop with an exhibition in Chmielno, with ceramics from three generations, Kashubian ornaments and work at the potter’s wheel.

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About

Pracownia garncarska Neclów

In Chmielno, the Necel family makes pottery in a workshop that also houses an exhibition of pottery made by previous generations. Franciszek Necel arrived from Kościerzyna in 1897, bringing the skills of the family’s seventh generation of potters. The exhibition opened on 23 June 1993. Local children and their parents helped assemble the collection by donating pottery preserved in their homes.

The exhibition includes work by Franciszek, Leon and Ryszard Necel, dating from 1897–1996. It presents different vessel forms, family documents and awards. Seven traditional ornaments painted on glass by Krystyna Malek are shown separately. They include tulips, lilac, a lily, a wreath, fish scales and the geometric Kashubian star. Leon’s foot-powered wheel from 1936 has also survived.

The working pottery introduces the journey from soft clay to a finished object: throwing, drying, decoration, glazing and firing. Viewing the collection, watching a potter and trying the wheel yourself are different parts of the experience. Practical sessions produce a new vessel that still requires further processing. The workshop shop sells ceramics from current production. Visitors can explore the exhibition and the workshop itself, including the old kiln.

For children

In this exhibition you meet a family of potters through their vessels. A potter makes objects from clay. Franciszek Necel came to Chmielno in 1897. His son Leon and grandson Ryszard later worked here. The exhibition contains pottery made by these three generations. The exhibition opened in 1993, and local schoolchildren and their families helped collect the pieces.

The vessels have different shapes, but seven family patterns keep appearing. There are two tulips, lilac, a lily, a wreath, scales and a star. The patterns were also painted on glass so they could be viewed separately. Leon’s old wheel shows how feet and hands worked at the same time.

A working pottery operates alongside the exhibition. During a demonstration you watch the potter; in a practical session you try making a vessel with help. The clay must then dry and be fired. Painting and glaze are further stages. Your piece does not become a finished cup the moment it leaves the wheel.

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Opening hours

May-October

May 1 – October 31

Monday
08:00–17:00
Tuesday
08:00–17:00
Wednesday
08:00–17:00
Thursday
08:00–17:00
Friday
08:00–17:00
Saturday
08:00–16:00
Sunday
Closed

November-April

November 1 – April 30

Monday
08:00–16:00
Tuesday
08:00–16:00
Wednesday
08:00–16:00
Thursday
08:00–16:00
Friday
08:00–16:00
Saturday
08:00–15:00
Sunday
Closed

The workshop is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Individual visits do not require booking. Groups should arrange a date. Individual participation in practical sessions depends on availability during the visit.

Tickets

Exhibition and workshop admission

Admission per person
PLN 15.00

Additional pottery sessions

Throwing with an instructor
PLN 40.00
Throwing, drying and one firing
PLN 60.00
Throwing and two firings with glaze
PLN 80.00

Admission costs PLN 15; working at the wheel is charged extra. Current session prices are PLN 40, 60 and 80. Prices of PLN 45, 65 and 90 respectively, including admission, are planned for next season; their start date has not yet been set. A guide is free for groups of more than 15. Groups book a date; individuals take part subject to availability. Shipping individual participants’ work starts at PLN 35. Drying may take around four weeks or longer, and completion more than six months. Collection in person or shipping; work is stored for a maximum of 1.5 years.

Exhibitions (1)
  • Illustration of the brick Necel Family Kashubian Pottery Museum in Chmielno, with white window frames, a fence and side steps beside a ceramic vase.Permanent exhibitionPottery from three generations of the Necel familyWork by Franciszek, Leon and Ryszard, family ornaments and the old potter’s wheel.
Exhibits and points (7)
  • Illustration of the brick Necel Family Kashubian Pottery Museum in Chmielno, with white window frames, a fence and side steps beside a ceramic vase.Seven patterns on glassFamily ornaments painted by the artist Krystyna Malek.
  • Illustration of the brick Necel Family Kashubian Pottery Museum in Chmielno, with white window frames, a fence and side steps beside a ceramic vase.Leon Necel’s potteryTraditional ornaments and large forms made by the family’s eighth generation.
  • Illustration of the brick Necel Family Kashubian Pottery Museum in Chmielno, with white window frames, a fence and side steps beside a ceramic vase.Leon Necel’s potter’s wheelA foot-powered potter’s wheel made in 1936.
  • Illustration of the brick Necel Family Kashubian Pottery Museum in Chmielno, with white window frames, a fence and side steps beside a ceramic vase.Ryszard Necel’s potteryThe ninth generation, the recovered workshop and the creation of the exhibition.
  • Illustration of the brick Necel Family Kashubian Pottery Museum in Chmielno, with white window frames, a fence and side steps beside a ceramic vase.Franciszek Necel’s potteryThe family’s first Chmielno potter and his move from everyday vessels to decorative ceramics.
  • Illustration of the brick Necel Family Kashubian Pottery Museum in Chmielno, with white window frames, a fence and side steps beside a ceramic vase.The pottery workshopPreparing clay, throwing, drying, painting and glazing.
  • Illustration of the brick Necel Family Kashubian Pottery Museum in Chmielno, with white window frames, a fence and side steps beside a ceramic vase.The old pottery kilnA kiln associated with the cooperative’s expansion of the workshop and traditional firing.
  • +4See remaining items
Contact

Address

ul. Gryfa Pomorskiego 65
83-333 Chmielno
Getting there
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Location

Accessibility

The workshop and exhibition occupy different floors. Contact staff before visiting to discuss access to each area.

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