Experience throwing pots on your own potter's wheel with one-to-one tuition throughout the course, as you learn the techniques and processes for completing pots.

The course provides an excellent opportunity for beginners to experience working/ throwing on a potter's wheel. Everyone will have the use of a wheel throughout the weekend. You will be taught at your own individual level and encouraged to practise.

On the first evening, the tutor will give an introductory talk and demonstration, followed by an introduction to clay preparation (kneading and wedging). The evening will finish with a video or slides relevant to throwing.

On the first day, you will start with preparing your clay and you will then spend the rest of the day learning and practising throwing on the wheel. In the evening, the tutor may show slides or a video relevant to the course. If you are a non-resident, you may wish to book in for dinner via the Bookings Office, prior to the course.

On the subsequent days, you will continue with further throwing practice and cover the finishing processes of turning. The aim is for you to finish the course with six to eight pots made.

Included

• The cost of all clay, glazing and firing costs (large work in size and quantity may be charged extra)
• Basic tool kits are provided in the Pottery for use during the course.

What students need to bring

• Overall and old towel
• 15 clean plastic shopping bags or white bin liners

Available to buy

Available from shop:

• Pottery tools
• Pottery knife
• Rough paper or sketch pad and pencil
• Wood or plastic ruler and plastic set square
• Natural sponge
• Apron and covered footwear

Additional information

Firing and glazing options:

1. Leave your most successful raw, finished pieces (approximately 8), which you wish to keep, for biscuit firing, basic glazing and re-firing by the College for collection within six months.

2. Leave your most successful raw, finished pieces (approximately 8) for biscuit firing at the College. You can then book a place on a Glazing Day and glaze your own work (allowing four weeks for your work to be biscuit fired). This work will be re-fired after glazing and available for collection within six months.

3. Take away your unfired pots for firing and glazing elsewhere.

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Suggested course reading list: For those interested in reading any books before the course, the following may be in your public library:

• The Craft of the Potter by Michael Casson (BBC Publications)
• The Complete Potter's Companion by Tony Birks (Conran Octopus)
• The Techniques of Throwing by John Colbeck (Batsford Watson-Guptill)
• Throwing by Richard Phethean (Blandford)
• Throwing Pots by Phil Rogers (A & C Black)
• Pottery in the Making by Freestone and Gaimster (British Museum Press)
• 10,000 Years of Pottery by Emmanuel Cooper (British Museum Press)
• The Workshop Guide to Ceramics by Duncan Hooson and Tony Quinn (Thames and Hudson)

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 7.15pm for registration. Students arriving earlier are welcome to purchase dinner in the College Dining Room from 6pm.
Students meet their tutor in the Bar at 7.30pm prompt to go to studios.
First Teaching session: 7.30pm - 9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am - 5pm
Morning session: 9.15am - 12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm - 2pm*
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm
Teaching finishes: 3pm

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am. Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

*Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options

Terms & Conditions