Description
Pottery Course: Open Studio – Self-Led Pottery Practice
6-Session Workshop – Wednesdays Morning 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 1B: 5 Nov – 10 Dec 2025
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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 1: 17 Sept – 10 Dec 2025
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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
Time:
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
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. 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. The teacher will not provide formal instruction, focusing instead on supporting your independent work.
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
Teacher
Alice Wakefield is graduate of Clay College Stoke and makes functional hand-built and wheel thrown pottery in her shared studio space. She aims to retain the immediacy and rhythm of these making process in her work which she fires in wood/salt or soda kilns. Alice has experience teaching students in both throwing and hand-building in potteries, community centres and in schools across London and Stoke on Trent. Alice’s experience is varied and includes running children’s clay clubs over summer holidays, clay classes for the over 65s and evening classes for adults. Additionally, she has run one-off workshops covering kiln building and firing, and preparation of raw materials. Creating community through clay and utilising its therapeutic qualities has become an essential part of Alice’s creative practise.
This Open Studio gives you time, space, and community to grow as a ceramicist. Book early to secure your place!
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
