A ceramics graduate of the Camberwell School of Arts & Crafts, Richard Phethean has forty years' experience in teaching pottery. He is a Fellow of, and recently retired as Chair of the Craft Potters Association. He is also a member of the Cornwall Crafts Association and the Penwith Society of Artists.

In 2014 Richard moved to west Cornwall and into Tresabenn studio near Penzance, from where he runs pottery courses. He makes thrown, altered and assembled vessels in coarse textured red and black earthenware clays with brushed slips and resist techniques.

He is a highly respected professional potter whose work is exhibited and collected widely in the UK and in Europe.