Description
Discover the art of handbuilding and wheel throwing pottery in this six-session evening course, tailored for beginners or those with some experience who want to explore clay in a relaxed, friendly environment at our London studio. Across six weeks, you’ll be introduced to the core techniques of handbuilding: pinching, coiling, and slab-building, as well as decorative and glazing techniques, to create your own unique ceramic pieces.
What You’ll Learn:
In this course, each week builds on the last, giving you a strong foundation in:
Throwing
– The basics of centering and pulling clay to create simple forms like cylinders and small bowls.
– Shaping more complex forms, refining techniques, and exploring new designs.
– Trimming a foot on your cylinders and bowls.
– Pulling handles
– Decorating using slips and underglazes
Handbuilding
– ​​Introduction to clay and handbuilding basics, starting with pinch pots and learning foundational techniques.
– Expanding into coiling and slab-building to create functional forms like bowls, plates, or small sculptures.
– Adding texture, patterns, and decorative elements to personalise your pieces.
– Glazing and finishing techniques, preparing your pieces for their final firing.
Course Details:
- Dates: 6 sessions over 6 weeks
- Thursday 10Â April – Thursday 15 May
- Thursday 22 May – Thursday 26 June
- Thursday 3 July – Thursday 7 August
- Thursday 11 September – Thursday16 October
- Thursday 6 November – Thursday 11Â December
- Time: Every Thursday between 6pm – 9pm
- Skill Level: All are welcome, no experience necessary
- Included: All materials, tools, glazes, and up to four fired pieces
- Class Size: Limited to ensure personalised attention
- Price: £280 per person
Perfect for a creative evening activity or exploring a new hobby, this course will help you bring your ceramic ideas to life in a warm and supportive setting. Spaces are limited to keep classes small and personal, so book early to secure your spot!
The last session of every course is glazing. Work must be finished the week before to be fired. The final glazing session cannot be rescheduled, but we’ll glaze your pieces in your chosen colours if you miss it.
All cancellations must be submitted in writing via email. Refunds or exchanges may be granted at our discretion for cancellation requests made at least 7 days before the scheduled class, course, or workshop. No refunds or rescheduling will be offered for cancellations made within 48 hours of the workshop. There are no exceptions. However, you can transfer your place to another individual. Please send us their name(s) in advance.
If you cannot attend a session of a longer course, we can’t accommodate you with another session. For any inquiries regarding cancellations, please contact us at gallery@countyhallpottery.com.
All classes will take place in our pottery studio at:Â Â County Hall Pottery, Belvedere Road, Waterloo, SE1 7PB.
A welcome email with further instructions about what to expect before your class is sent around a week before your class commences. This email will be sent to the email provided at booking.
Your instructor will meet you in the foyer of the main entrance to County Hall Pottery on Belvedere Road – you’ll know you’re in the right place if you’re standing on the beautiful mosaic floor! They will take you through to our studio space. If you are running late, please call the studio phone when you arrive as you will need to be escorted.Â
Please feel free to bring a sketchbook or notepad along to make notes during your workshop.
We really hope that you enjoy your workshop with us! Â
If you have any questions, please see our frequently asked questions page here or contact us at gallery@countyhallpottery.com.linux136.unoeuro-server.com.
Collection of Artwork
Your work will usually be ready for collection within 6 weeks, but times may vary depending on firing schedules. You will be notified by email when your pieces are ready for you to pick up from our gallery. You can arrange for your artwork to be delivered to you (for an additional fee) within one month of the original pick up email being sent out. If your pieces have not been collected or sent within this time-frame, then we regret that we will have to give them away to our local community, as we are limited on shelf space.
Clay Allocation
A set amount of clay is included in the courses. Two kilograms of clay is included in a 3-hour class. Ten kilograms of dry clay work is included in a 6-week course. Additional clay is available to purchase at a cost of £2.50 per 500g of dry work. Work is weighed before the first firing.Â
Rescheduling, Cancellation And Refund Policy
* For one-day courses, when given 10 or more days’ notice we can either reschedule, refund or generate a gift code for rebooking your class.
* For one-day courses, when given 9 days or less notice for a cancellation for any reason, we regrettably are unable to reschedule or provide a refund. There are no exemptions. However, you can transfer your place to another individual. Please send us their name in advance.
* For courses longer than one-day, we regret we will not be able to replace or rearrange missed sessions. Please do not ask us to make exceptions.
* We can only accept one named individual to attend sessions for the duration of a course, individuals cannot transfer their place for any of their sessions.
* Gift Cards are non-refundable
* When an instructor is unable to teach a one-day class, for example due to illness, we will do our best to find an alternative. If that is not possible, you will receive a full refund. Notice of this will be given as soon as possible.
* If a teacher is unable to cover a session on a 6-week course, the session will be covered by an alternative and the class will continue as usual. Notice of this will be given as soon as possible.
Health And Safety Policy
* Pottery is a messy business, so it is advised that you wear clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. We provide aprons but you are welcome to bring your own.
* Please don’t wear loose clothing or jewellery that might catch and tie up long hair.
* Closed-toe shoes are preferable
* There is no eating inside the studio. Drinking is only permitted from a closed-top vessel. There is a kitchenette that adjoins the studio where eating and drinking are allowed.
* Please let us know if you have any allergies, health or accessibility requirements in good time before the class, by emailing gallery@countyhallpottery.com.linux136.unoeuro-server.com
* We aim to educate and inspire through fun workshops. In order for all participants to enjoy our classes, we retain the right to ask individuals to leave if their conduct is deemed unsafe or offensive.Â
Arrival And LatenessÂ
* Due to our studio’s location in an historic building, please get in touch before the day of your class if you have any accessibility requirements at gallery@countyhallpottery.com.linux136.unoeuro-server.com
* You will need to meet your instructor at the main entrance of County Hall on Belvedere Road as the journey through the building to our studio is not straightforward! The class will gather in the foyer – you’ll know you’re in the right place if you’re standing on a beautiful mosaic floor! – and you will then be shown to our studio.
* If you are running late and the class has already left the foyer, a member of security will escort you to the studio. This may take some time – so please arrive early. You can enjoy our Gallery space while you wait!Â
Facilities
* Drinking water is provided in the studio, however if you require more sustenance throughout the class please feel free to bring items along.
* Our studio has a small kitchenette you can make use of and there is an array of cafes, restaurants and shops both within County Hall and the surrounding streets.
* Our gallery has a courtyard with tables and chairs that are free to use within gallery opening hours
* Toilets are available for use and adjoin the studio space
