St Ives-born, Kenneth Quick was one of the last of the Cornish apprentice potters taken on by Bernard LEACH, straight from the local school. He showed himself to be one on the most promising of the younger St Ives potters, subsequently spending many years at the Leach Pottery (1945-1955 and 1960-1963).  

He was a production thrower of standard ware, but his work soon showed a distinct individuality (which is what Bernard Leach looked for in his students), and when he was fully trained Kenneth taught many of the overseas students to throw. In 1955 Kenneth opened his own workshop - Tregenna Hill Pottery in St Ives - producing items for the kitchen and table, working in stoneware and red earthenware with his own pottery seal. After five years of running a successful one-man venture he took a six month instruction and teaching post in America.

On his return to Cornwall Kenneth asked Janet LEACH and Bernard if he could resume work at the Leach Pottery, to which they readily agreed. He and Bill MARSHALL were mostly responsible for the training of the new influx of pottery students from art colleges who were engaged on a two-year work-trainee basis. After a further two years of working at the Leach Pottery, Bernard and Janet, anxious to encourage the young man in his further development and exploration of pottery, helped him to realise his ambition of going to Japan to study with Norman GARSTIN. A month before coming home he was tragically drowned in a swimming accident, news which devastated the Leachs.