The emphasis in this course will be on discovering and developing your own sense of form and function in the pots you make by examining your own and other potters’ work individually with your tutor and in group discussion. The emphasis will be on how to produce good forms rather than making finished pots.

You will be taught at your own individual level and encouraged to practise and hone your skills with plenty of one-to-one advice from the tutor. From time to time the group will gather together to look at work made to train the eye and learn from each other.

Use will also be made of images and films available to examine contemporary and historical pieces.

The course is ideal for students who have attended any of the throwing and turning courses at West Dean, or for those who go to regular classes or practise at home, looking to extend their skills. You need to be able to centre clay confidently prior to joining the course.

Timetable: with individual help and group discussion on all four days.

First evening : 8-9pm. Meet up together in the pottery, covering course details, health and safety and ending with a short film

Day 1: Settling in, making cylinders AM and vase forms PM Day 2: Jugs AM and bowls PM Day 3: Other forms e.g. lidded casserole and lids and handles Day 4: Applying handles, knobs on lids, etc. and turning Course finishes at 3pm N.B.: All turning will take place on days 2-4.

Included

• All clay, glazing and firing costs (large work in size and quantity may be charged extra)

What students need to bring

• Aprons and an old towel
• Books of interest
• Any pots you own that you feel work or you are not satisfied with
• A roll of bin liners, to keep pots from drying

Course Reading List: For those interested in reading any books before the course, the following may be a useful reference (optional):

• Ceramic Form by Peter Lane (Collins)
• Ten Thousand Years of Pottery by Emmanuel Cooper (British Museum Press)
• The Unknown Craftsman by Soetsu Yanagi (George Allen & Unwin Ltd.)
• Creation out of Clay – The Ceramic Art and Writings of Brother Thomas (Eerdmans & Pucker Art Publishing)

Available to buy

Available from shop:

• Pottery tools, pottery knife (basic tools are available for use)
• Rough paper or sketch pad, and pencil
• Wood or plastic ruler and plastic set square
• Natural sponge

Additional information

Firing and glazing options:

1. Leave your most successful raw, finished pieces, 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 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).

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