Pottery & Claywork - Throwing & Turning Workshop - Improvers [SSK]

Course intent

This workshop will help you develop your skills at throwing pots on a potter’s wheel. If you like throwing and you are keen to practice making pots on a potter’s wheel and to finish them off to a good standard, then this is the workshop for you.

Enjoy the well-being benefits gained through working in a friendly, creative learning environment.

What will we cover?

Session 1

• throwing a large stoneware bowl
• practising and developing your throwing skills
• improving and building confidence with throwing skills

Session 2

• how to ‘trim’
• ‘trimming’ your pots and making them ready for the firing process
• surface decoration or adding handles, making lips and foot rings
• Safeguarding, Prevent and British Values
• Maintaining a clean and safe studio

Following the workshop your two chosen pieces will be bisque fired and glazed, ready to collect in mid-September. You will need to contact the centre to arrange collection. The Guildford centre will be closed in August.

Learners will be inspired by the contemporary and historical context of the craft and will need to keep a sketchbook / notebook to record ideas, processes and progress, and the feedback they receive from the tutor.

There will be demonstrations, instruction, one-to-one tutorial guidance, group discussions and critiques.

You’ll complete an Individual Learning Plan so that you make best possible progress.

Who is this course for? Is there anything I need to know before joining?

Some experience of throwing (at least 20 hours) is necessary. If you are left-handed please let us know as there are limited numbers for wheels that turn clockwise.

This workshop is for adults aged 18 years or older.

As our courses are taught in English, please contact us if you have any concerns about your level of English.

What do I need to bring to the first class? Will there be any extra costs?

• Sensible closed-toe shoes

• An old towel
• Apron & suitable clothes for a pottery studio
• Notebook or sketchbook and pen
• Long hair must be tied back for certain processes
• Nails should be clipped as long nails damage your work
• Avoid wearing hand and wrist jewellery to prevent loss or damage

Basic materials and technician costs are included.

If you choose to work on a large project, you may be asked to pay an additional cost for materials depending on its size. As a guide, Individual pieces higher than 15 inches/38 cm and wider than 12 inches/35 cm would be considered as large projects.

We are only able to fire work that has been produced in the class using materials provided by SAL (Surrey Adult Learning).

Please bring refreshments or change for the coffee machine onsite. A water bottle may be brought into the studio.

What can I do when I finish the course?

You have the opportunity to join a longer Surrey Adult Learning course or attend other pottery workshops. Glazing workshops are also available.

Additional information

Following the workshop your two chosen pieces will be bisque fired and glazed, ready to collect in mid-September. You will need to contact the centre to arrange collection. The Guildford centre will be closed in August.

We welcome learners with additional needs and disabilities. When you enrol, please let us know if you would like to discuss your extra support needs with a member of the Supported Learning Team who will then contact you as soon as possible. If you are enrolling within 10 days of the course start date, we may not be able to contact you before your first class. Surrey Adult Learning values and supports equality and diversity by promoting fairness and respect at all times.

How to enrol

Our courses are for adult learners aged 19 or over. If you are under 19, please call 0300 200 1044.

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