Pottery & Ceramics
Pottery on Saturdays
A flexible ceramics course for beginner and intermediate learners covering hand building, throwing, surface decoration, glazing and firing.
Choose a date before booking
Upcoming classes
1 class
About this course
The course introduces several ceramic-making methods, including pinching, coiling, slab building, press moulding, throwing and sprigging. Learners explore clay through different stages, from wet and soft to leather hard, and investigate surface decoration, glazing and firing. Teaching combines practical demonstrations, group and individual tuition, slide talks and hand-outs. Learners also use sketchbooks to explore and record ideas, with opportunities to discuss and review their work with teaching staff and other participants. Beginners follow simple projects, while more experienced learners are encouraged to develop individual approaches.
What you'll learn
- Make ceramic pieces using hand-building or throwing techniques
- Apply surface decoration processes to ceramic work
- Glaze ceramic pieces and understand the role of firing
- Use a sketchbook to investigate ideas and document learning
- Develop ceramic ideas through experimentation, reflection and discussion
Is this course right for you?
The course is intended for both beginners and intermediate learners. Beginners can work through simple projects introducing core pottery methods, while more experienced participants can develop their own ideas and styles. Learners should be able to follow written and spoken instructions, demonstrations and health and safety information. Self-review and group discussion form part of the learning process.
- Suitable for learners at beginner or intermediate level
- Requires participation in group discussions and individual review of learning
- Includes both guided projects and scope for developing personal ideas
Before you go
- Clay is charged at £3 per 500g before firing; porcelain costs £24 per bag or £12 per half bag.
- Payment for materials used is made by contactless card reader in the final week.
- A sketchbook is used during class and, where appropriate, between sessions.
- The motor on the potter's wheels may pose a serious risk to people with pacemakers or internal defibrillators. Those affected cannot work in the ceramics studio while the wheels are in use and should contact the Ceramics Department before enrolling to discuss this.