Description
Masterclass with Tim Copsey – Sculptural Vessels Inspired by Nature
County Hall Pottery, London
Dates: 25 & 26 July
Times: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Price: £300 per person
Optional Follow-on: Half-day Ikebana Flower Arranging Session or Glaze your work Session (booked separately)
Join ceramic artist Tim Copsey for a two-day masterclass combining hand-building and throwing techniques to create sculptural yet functional vessels inspired by the natural environment. Drawing on Tim’s deep connection to landscape, this course focuses on form, surface, and movement, encouraging participants to develop a small body of expressive ceramic work.
Participants may choose to extend their learning by booking an optional half-day Ikebana workshop with Miyuki Griffin president of the Ohara Schol of Ikebana, England Chapter, where fired vessels created during the course can be used for Japanese flower arranging, offering a complementary way to explore how ceramics function beyond the studio.
Course Overview
This two-day masterclass explores the relationship between sculptural form and functional ceramics through hands-on making. Participants will work with hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques to develop vessels that respond to natural textures, rhythms, and structures. We also consider how vessels can be designed with use in mind, particularly in relation to floral arrangement and display. Guided by Tim, participants will focus on developing form, surface, and intention
Learning takes place through demonstration, repetition, and guided studio practice. There is time to test ideas, respond to material behaviour, and refine work across sessions. The emphasis is on process: how decisions made in making influence how a vessel performs when used.
All work made during the course will be bisque fired as part of the course fee. After firing, participants may either take their work home to glaze and fire independently or choose to book a glazing session with County Hall Pottery.
What You Can Expect
Daily Schedule / Course Content
Day 1
- Introductory talk and demonstrations
- Hand-building and throwing techniques
- Developing sculptural vessel forms
Day 2
- Continued making and refinement
- Surface exploration inspired by nature
- One-to-one guidance and group discussion
- Considering function in relation to display and use
What You Will Learn
- Sculptural and functional vessel design
- Combining hand-building and throwing techniques
- Approaches to form, surface, and natural inspiration
Optional Follow-on: Ikebana Flower Arranging (Half Day, Booked Separately)
- Introduction to core principles of Ikebana
- Working with line, negative space, and balance
- Using ceramic vessels in practical arrangements
- Observing how ceramic form and plant material interact
(This session can be booked as a standalone course or as a continuation of the ceramics workshop.)
What You Will Take Away
- A small body of bisque-fired ceramic vessels (approximatley 40 x 40cm)
- The option to take your work home to glaze independently or to book a glazing session at County Hall Pottery
- A clearer understanding of functional and sculptural vessel design
- If attending the follow-on session: practical experience of Ikebana flower arranging
Work will be ready to collect within 3–4 weeks after the course.
About the Teachers
The course is led by Tim Copsey, a practising ceramic artist whose work responds to the landscape and seasons of the Peak District. His practice explores texture, movement, and surface, drawing from waterfalls, peat pools, and layered rock formations. He has a long association with Ikebana and regularly collaborates with Ikebana artists through commissioned vessels and co-led workshops.
The optional Ikebana session is led by a practising Ikebana artist Miyuki Griffin president of the Ohara Schol of Ikebana, England Chapter, bringing specialist knowledge of traditional and contemporary Ikebana practice.
Key Information / Practical Details
- Location: County Hall Pottery, Belvedere Road, London
- Level: Suitable for beginners and those with some prior ceramics experience
- Class Size: Maximum 10 students
- Materials: All tools, materials, and bisque firings included
- Flowers provided for the optional Ikebana session
All classes will take place in our pottery studio at: 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.
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!
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.
Shipping
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. While we follow best practices to protect all ceramic pieces during packaging, we cannot guarantee that damage will not occur in transit. Once your item leaves our gallery, we are not responsible for any breakage or loss that may happen during shipping.
In-person pickup is highly recommended for delicate or sentimental pieces.
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.
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.
Arrival And Lateness
* 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!
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
