Our Pottery and clay work courses are very popular and there is a high demand for the wheels and the kilns.
We limit enrolments for long-term courses to one per learner. This gives access to these resources to as many Surrey residents as possible. This does not apply to our workshops.
If you do enrol for more than one course, we will contact you to ask you which enrolment you prefer to keep.
About this subject
Explore the exciting medium of clay. Start with basic claywork techniques: pinching, coiling, and slabbing. Then, move on to throwing on the wheel and turning.
Discover how to glaze and decorate your work to achieve different effects and impact.
Our well-equipped pottery studios provide an inspiring creative area. We have modern throwing wheels and space for hand-building, glazing and surface decoration.
In our sculpture classes, you will learn the necessary skills and techniques. These include clay modelling, making armatures, and working with proportion. You will progress from sketching your ideas to creating unique finished sculpted pieces.
Our courses run over a period of weeks for a term. We have three terms in the year from September to July plus short courses at the start of summer. We also offer more specific one-day workshops throughout the year.
Enrolments open every term in March, July and November. If courses have already started you may still be able to join so please contact us.
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Course levels
- Introduction courses will give you a taste of subject. You can then progress to a longer course.
- Beginners courses are for those with no previous experience. They would also suit anyone who would like to refresh there basic skills.
- Improvers courses are for those with some previous experience. They would suit anyone wishing to develop their skills further.
- Advanced courses are for those who have lots of previous experience. They would suit anyone who can work independently. But, still want the support and guidance of a tutor to improve.
- Mixed Ability courses are suitable for those with any level of previous experience.
Saturday and one day workshops
Each year we offer a variety of one day workshops which is ideal for anyone wishing to try their hand at pottery.
Saturday and one day workshops
Pottery
Learn the key pottery techniques. These include pinching, coiling, slabbing, and throwing. They range from beginner to advanced levels. Learn to glaze and decorate your work and gain confidence to express your creativity.
Sculpture
Combine art and practical skills to transform your ideas into 3D reality. Learn how to make armatures and model in clay, or have the opportunity to carve in wood or stone. Your inspiration may be examples from the world of art and sculpture, as well as your own interpretations. We offer classes with a life model, where the model is unclothed.
Discounts and support with fees
We have many discounts and fee support options. These include money off your first course if you are a library member, Surrey Heritage user, or over 66.
We include a small charge in the fees. It covers the cost of materials used by tutors for demonstrations. The fee does not include the cost of materials and equipment used by learners, unless stated otherwise. If you have any questions, please ask when enrolling. We advise you not to buy extra materials for a course until your enrolment is confirmed.