Get a taste for working with clay in our 6-week Introduction to Pottery courses designed for beginners.
You will learn
We offer two different courses in the Introduction to Pottery series, each focusing on slightly different handbuilding techniques. Either course will give you the skills and confidence to start working with clay, but you can attend both to deepen and expand your knowledge.
Course options:
- Introduction to Pottery: Pinch Pots and Soft Slabs
- Introduction to Pottery: Coiling and Slab Building
Both courses teach you how to shape, join, and decorate clay, creating a range of functional pieces. You will be encouraged to interpret projects in your own style, learning how to refine and finish your work and apply surface decoration ready for firing and glazing in our kilns.
By the end of any Introduction to Pottery courses, you will have a solid foundation in handbuilding and will have developed your unique artistic voice.
Please note, these courses do not cover throwing on the potter’s wheel. If you would like to learn how to throw on the pottery wheel, please book our Introduction to Throwing course or Throwing Taster sessions.
Upcoming courses
17 April: Coiling and Slab Building. This course covers techniques including, but not limited to: wedging and preparing clay, joining clay, creating pinch pots, working with soft slabs, using decorative underglazes, slips and oxides.
You will need
These are adult courses, perfect for complete beginners, or those who have attended any of our other introductory courses. You must be aged 14+ to attend, all under 18’s must be accompanied by a paying adult.
We recommend trimming long nails prior to the sessions, removing any jewellery, and tying back long hair.
Additional information
These pottery courses take place over 6 consecutive weeks starting on your booked date.
Sessions take place on Friday mornings 10am – 12.30pm.
The course cost includes all materials, tools and clay, plus glazing and firing of your finished pieces.
Ruth Waller
These courses are taught by Ruth Waller.
Ruth is half of the creative partnership Waller Hewett. Waller Hewett creates artwork and installations which combine art, design and craft, and has won them numerous awards including ‘Best in Show’ at the London Craft Fair.
She is a highly experienced tutor and teaches across the Harley Foundation’s education programme.
Image courtesy Ben Boswell
