Ref: SSS39926
You will develop your understanding of the potential of clay to express ideas through form, surface, technique, skill and knowledge. This course is suitable for anyone who has developed throwing skills and wants to be able to make work that is individual and expressive.
Making work that is more individual and expressive sounds so easy but as many of you will know, actually developing thrown forms that have their own personality is more difficult than it seems. There are so many options, so many materials and techniques that you like, how do you decide what to do?
The key is in developing a visual language through which you learn to identify your own criteria. This can take the form of a sketchbook where you make notes and diagrams, collect images and draw, or it can be in an electronic format such as Pinterest or Instagram.
You will begin to ask yourself what is it that makes your ceramic work belong to you? What does the touch of a hand or the imprint of a tool say about the person who created the object?
This course will help you develop a range of wheel thrown ceramic pieces that are individual, by increasing your understanding of the potential of clay to express ideas through form, surface, technique, skill and knowledge, and by learning to appreciate the many properties that clay can have, the many personalities it can embody, from refined forms to bold aggressive vessels, from beautiful bowls to constructed abstract pieces, the choice is yours.
By the end of the week you will have a selection of fired samples, a group of ceramic pieces which can be taken home or fired at the College and a visual resource from which you can develop future work.
Summer School Highlights
The Summer School week is an immersive learning experience with more time to develop your creativity and embrace opportunities for creative development beyond your chosen course. A detailed timetable for your Summer School week will be given to you on arrival. This will include:
All lunches and evening meals are provided for residential and non-residential students during summer school due to planned activities/events in the early evenings.
The cost of clays, glaze materials and firing of small pieces is included in the course fee. Large work in size and quantity may be charged extra.
Please bring with you a small collection of imagery (photographs, cuttings or drawings) and three-dinensional objects or fragments which inspire you. Think about ways of recording textures, surfaces, colours and forms that you like and bring them with you.
Available from shop:
Firing and glazing options:
1. Leave any raw, finished pieces that you wish to keep, for biscuit firing, basic glazing and re-firing by the College, for collection within six months.
2. Leave 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.
Wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear i.e. no open-toes or sandals.
Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-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 (lunch included)
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 - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)
Teaching finishes: 3pm
All lunches and evening meals are provided for residential and non-residential students during Summer School due to planned activities/events in the early evenings.
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.
Several evening events are planned throughout the week, a detailed timetable for your Summer School will be given to you on arrival.
Kyra Cane studied Ceramics at Camberwell College of Arts, she has taught and examined on numerous courses, notably Harrow Ceramics, University of Westminster. Her work is exhibited in national and international galleries. She has written a book about Making and Drawing and is currently Chair of the Craft Potters Charitable Trust.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study.
Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.
