What you'll learn
Learn to create almost anything out of clay in one of our pottery short courses in Sydney!
Join our relaxing and friendly Pottery & Ceramics course and learn how to hand build pots, cups, bowls, vessels and plates out of a lump of clay.
This hand building course is designed to give you a sound foundation for the five foundational hand-building techniques such as pinching pots, coil building, slumping in or over moulds, slab building, and coil and pinch.
Explore the mindful craft and learn best practices when designing anything in clay. Gain an understanding of the medium and learn how to glaze your work. You will be able to learn all about the different glaze types and techniques that are available as well as know how to create some decorative effects on your beautiful project.
With assistance, you will start a simple self-initiated pottery project using the techniques learned over the first weeks of the course.
By the end of this pottery and ceramics course, you will know and have practised the foundational hand-building techniques, as well as have designed and made several pieces to be proud of.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this pottery and ceramics hand building course, you should be able to:
- Understand the fundamentals of clay including drying and firing
- Use different hand-building techniques
- Understand how to design and plan your project
- Create different decorative effects
- Prepare and apply glazes
Course content
What will be covered in this pottery course?
This pottery & ceramics course is designed to give beginners to ceramics five foundational techniques to hand build almost anything in clay.
Week 1 - Pinch Pots
Learn to make a small pot, simple cup or bowl by hand while learning to handle and understand clay. This class will introduce you to the fundamentals of clay, drying, firing and hand building. The pots will be bisque fired, then glazed in week 3 or 4.
Week 2 - Coil Building
Learn to make larger and shaped vessels using coils — an ancient (and still widely used) hand building technique. The vessels will be bisque fired, then glazed in week 4 or 5.
Week 3 - Slumping in or Over Moulds
Using rolled-out sheets of clay make new things from existing plates and bowls. In this class glaze types, decorative effects and glazing techniques will be discussed. The vessels will be bisque fired, then glazed in week 5 or 6.
Week 4 - Slab Building
Learn how to join rolled-out sheets of clay to make geometric forms and vessels. The vessels will be bisque fired, and then glazed in week 6 or after the course.
Week 5 - Coil and Pinch
Learn how to make larger vessels using this age-old technique of coil and pinching. We will also discuss your individual project to be started in the next session. The vessels will be bisque fired, then glazed in after the course.
Week 6 - How to Design Functional Ceramics and Individual Project
Learn best practices when designing anything in clay. With assistance, a simple self-initiated project will be started using the techniques learned ove the forst 5 weeks of the course.
These projects can be picked from the Rozelle Office after being bisque fired and glaze fired after the completion of the course. A timeline will be set for this to be organised.
Intended audience
Who is this pottery course for?
This course is for absolute beginners or students with minimal working knowledge of ceramics.
Course materials
Materials provided
All the necessary materials are provided, including:
- 1 bag of clay
- Tool kit
- Glazes - a selection of colours are available
- The firing of your projects
Additional information
Please note the following:
- Please don’t wear your best clothing! Clay will wash out, but it’s better to wear some older clothes
- If you have long hair, please tie it back
- Wear closed-in shoes
- These projects will be bisque-fired and glaze fired after the completion of the course and can be picked up from the Rozelle Office. A timeline will be set for this to be organised.
Course tutors
Carol Hudson
Great reasons to enrol in a short course with us
Small classes
A personal approach means quality learning, so you can enjoy plenty of interaction with your instructor and the chance to ask questions.
Short & sweet
Our short courses & workshops get straight to the point, providing the skills you need with minimal commitment of your precious time.
Facilities & equipment
Our range of venues suit every type of course, are easy to get to, and have the equipment and tech needed to support your learning.
Easy, secure enrolment
Enrol online 24/7 with a safe, convenient 3-step process, and you can change your mind up to 7 days before class starts.
Quality instructors
Our educators bring first-hand experience and knowledge, with up-to-the-minute practices from diverse industries.
Business or pleasure
Our courses help you rapidly increase your skills and knowledge, for professional development or personal interest.
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Classes Online Courses
<p>Learn to create almost anything out of clay in one of our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/handcrafts/pottery">pottery short courses</a> in Sydney!</p>
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If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Pottery & Ceramics Course: Hand Building in Clay
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