Pottery - Throwing & Turning - 2 Day Beginners & Improvers Workshop

Course intent

Learn how to throw on the potter’s wheel during this workshop held over two consecutive sessions. First session you will gain the skills needed to throw a successful pot. Then, when the pots are leather hard, return to turn and finish the pots and agree on surface decoration and/or glazing.

What will I learn?

You will

Session 1

• Wedging the clay, centring the clay on the wheel and making a basic cylinder
• altering the basic cylinder shape
• practising and developing your throwing skills
• improving and building confidence with throwing skills

Session 2

• ‘turning’ your pots and making them ready for the firing process
• surface decoration or adding handles, making lips and foot rings
• Maintaining a clean and safe studio

Following the workshop, a selection of your best work will be bisque fired and glazed, ready to collect after the course as advised by your tutor.

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

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

Some experience of pottery is helpful, and beginners are welcome

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

You need to bring:

• Sensible closed-toe shoes
• An old towel
• Apron & suitable clothes for a pottery studio
• Notebook 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
• Please bring a packed lunch or refreshments. There is a coffee machine onsite that accepts card payment and a microwave. A water bottle may be brought into the studio.

Basic materials and technician costs are included.

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

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. A glazing workshop is planned for Saturday 10th May 2025.

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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