Olaria Pequena (The Little Pottery) is a ceramics and print studio and shop, just outside the village of Porches, in the Algarve region of Portugal.

In a typical old farmhouse, functional tableware and tiles are produced, illustrated with local themes such as olives and lemons. Although using traditional craft techniques, the design of the work is fresh and contemporary.

Ceramics is the main focus, but prints of the designs are also created on handmade paper.

The studio was set up by Ian Fitzpatrick from Glasgow, Scotland. After completing a degree in ceramic design at Dundee Art college, Ian came to Portugal in 1981 to work with Portuguese ceramic artist, Jorge Mealha in an old farmhouse outside the village of Porches, with the idea of working abroad for one year before returning to Scotland. After that first year, Jorge relocated to Lagos and Ian stayed on renaming the studio “Olaria Pequena” and it has been going ever since.

Various people have worked at the studio over the years, but for the past few years, the Olaria Pequena team has been just Ian and his daughter Molly, who came back to Portugal after completing a Fine Art degree in Falmouth, England.