Description
Pottery Course: Open Studio – Self-Led Pottery Practice
6-Session Workshop – Wednesdays Evening Sessions
Join our relaxed and welcoming Open Studio, a self-led six-session workshop designed for experienced makers and confident beginners/intermediates who want to practice their skills and develop personal projects without the structure of a formal class.
Whether you’re refining your throwing techniques, experimenting with handbuilding, or simply looking for focused studio time, this workshop provides a supportive space for creative freedom. An experienced teacher will be available for guidance and advice as needed, but the focus is on letting you create at your own pace.
Booking Options
Each session is 3 hours. Choose from half-term, full-term, or full-year bookings.
1. Half-Term Booking
6 sessions per half-term (3 hours each)
£240 per half-term
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Half-Term 2A: 7 Jan – 11 Feb 2026
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Half-Term 2B: 25 Feb – 1 Apr 2026
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Half-Term 3A: 15 Apr – 20 May 2026
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Half-Term 3B: 3 Jun – 8 Jul 2026
- Half-Term 4A: 16 Sept – 21 Oct 2026
- Half-Term 4B: 4 Nov – 9 Dec 2026
2. Full-Term Booking
12 sessions per term (3 hours each)
£430 per term
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Term 2: 7 Jan – 1 Apr 2026
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Term 3: 15 Apr – 8 Jul 2026
- Term 4: 16 Sept – 9 Dec 2026
3. Full-Year Booking
36 sessions across 3 terms
£1,188 for full year
- 7 Jan 2026 – 9 December 2026
Time:
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6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
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Price:
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- £240 6 Sessions (18 hours total):Half term
- £430 12 Sessions ( 36 hours total): Full term
- £1188 36 Sessions (108 hours total): 3 Terms (Full- year)
What’s Included:
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Access to studio tools and equipment
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Clay charged at £5 per kilo of fire bisque (covers clay, glaze and firing)
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One bisque firing and one glaze firing included (gas or electric)
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Final session dedicated to glazing
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What to Expect
This self-led workshop is ideal if you:
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Have prior pottery experience and want to develop your own work independently
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Are an intermediate looking to consolidate your skills
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Appreciate the freedom to explore pottery with expert support available when needed
You’ll work on your own projects during the sessions, with a teacher on hand for tips, troubleshooting, and advice. The unstructured format offers flexibility to make, experiment, and improve at your own rhythm.
Please note:
This workshop serves as a partial studio membership. This is not a structured course, the teacher will focusing instead on supporting your independent work with relevant demonstrations and one to one support. Full open-access is not available due to building restrictions, a staff member will meet you in the foyer before your session to escort you to the studio. If you are running late please give us a call.
This Open Studio gives you time, space, and community to grow as a ceramicist. Book early to secure your place!
Teacher
Alice Wakefield is a graduate of Clay College Stoke. She makes functional hand-built and wheel-thrown pottery in her London studio. Her work is guided by traditional wheel throwing techniques and a practice of playing and sketching at the wheel.
Alice aims to retain the immediacy and rhythm of these making process in her work whilst experimenting with different firing processes such as gas, wood, salt and soda to create rich patina and textures.
Creating community through clay and utilising its therapeutic qualities has become an essential part of Alice’s creative practise.
Alice has extensive experience teaching throwing and hand-building pottery classes both adults and children, in potteries, community centres and in schools, running children’s clay clubs over summer holidays, clay classes for the over 65s. Additionally, she has run one-off workshops covering kiln building and firing, and preparation of raw materials. Alice also works as a production potter for County Hall Pottery producing our in House Lotus range.
Glazing & Firing
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Work must be completed by the week prior to the final glazing session unless you are continuing on another 6 week course.
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The last session is reserved for glazing your pieces.
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Clay usage is tracked by weight to calculate clay, glaze and firing fees £5 per kg.
Studio Etiquette
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Please clean your workspace, tools, and equipment after each session
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Help us keep the studio tidy and welcoming for all
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Staff do not clean up after students
Cancellation Policy
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All cancellations must be submitted in writing via email
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Refunds or exchanges may be granted at our discretion for cancellations made at least 7 days before the start date
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No refunds or rescheduling will be offered for cancellations made within 48 hours of the workshop – no exceptions
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You may transfer your place to someone else by notifying us in advance
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Make-up sessions are not available for missed classes
📧 For cancellations or questions, please contact:
gallery@countyhallpottery.com
