Pottery & Claywork - Beginners

Course intent

You will learn the basic knowledge and skills to work creatively with clay in the pottery studio. You will begin by developing your handling, design skills and understanding of the firing and glazing processes, moving on to throwing and turning.

What will I learn?

You will learn how to:

• use the tools and equipment safely
• handle & work with clay
• apply basic hand-building techniques - pinching, coiling and slab-building
• apply a design to a piece
• apply surface decorating techniques
• fire and glaze
• throw and turn on a wheel
• the importance of a clean and tidy studio

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

  This course is for Beginners and those who have limited experience of working in the pottery studio, perhaps having completed single workshops.

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

  You will need:

• Sensible closed-toe shoes, an apron and suitable clothing
• Notebook and pen

Will there be any additional costs?

Basic materials/technician costs are included.

It is not possible to fire pieces larger than 30cm x 30cm x 40cm.

It is not possible to fire anything larger than this.

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

What can I do when I finish the course?

Learners can progress onto more advanced pottery courses with SAL.

One-day workshops are available for specific subjects such as throwing and turning.

Additional information

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.

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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