Pottery Beginners
Interested in classes at our Auckland pottery studio? Have you ever wanted to work with clay, but not known where to start? Join our beginner pottery class and learn a range of essential clay techniques. Whether you're a complete novice or have some experience, this pottery course will help you develop key skills, including hand-building and clay molding. Come and join Matt McLean, one of New Zealand's top award-winning potters and learn a range of hand building and wheel throwing techniques.
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Tue 10 Feb
- $320.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Tue 10 Feb 19:00 - Tue 10 Feb 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Tue 17 Feb 19:00 - Tue 17 Feb 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Tue 24 Feb 19:00 - Tue 24 Feb 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Tue 03 Mar 19:00 - Tue 03 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Tue 10 Mar 19:00 - Tue 10 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Tue 17 Mar 19:00 - Tue 17 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Tue 24 Mar 19:00 - Tue 24 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Tue 31 Mar 19:00 - Tue 31 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here. -
Wed 11 Feb
- $320.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Wed 11 Feb 19:00 - Wed 11 Feb 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Wed 18 Feb 19:00 - Wed 18 Feb 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Wed 25 Feb 19:00 - Wed 25 Feb 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Wed 04 Mar 19:00 - Wed 04 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Wed 11 Mar 19:00 - Wed 11 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Wed 18 Mar 19:00 - Wed 18 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Wed 25 Mar 19:00 - Wed 25 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Wed 01 Apr 19:00 - Wed 01 Apr 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here. -
Sat 14 MarSaturday 14th and Sunday 15th March 10am - 4:30pm plus glazing session Saturday 28th March At Selwyn College, Auckland. Matt McLean
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Sat 14 Mar 10:00 - Sat 14 Mar 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Sun 15 Mar 10:00 - Sun 15 Mar 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
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Tue 05 May
- $320.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Tue 05 May 19:00 - Tue 05 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Tue 12 May 19:00 - Tue 12 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Tue 19 May 19:00 - Tue 19 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Tue 26 May 19:00 - Tue 26 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Tue 02 Jun 19:00 - Tue 02 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Tue 09 Jun 19:00 - Tue 09 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Tue 16 Jun 19:00 - Tue 16 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Tue 23 Jun 19:00 - Tue 23 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here. -
Wed 06 May
- $320.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Wed 06 May 19:00 - Wed 06 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Wed 13 May 19:00 - Wed 13 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Wed 20 May 19:00 - Wed 20 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Wed 27 May 19:00 - Wed 27 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Wed 03 Jun 19:00 - Wed 03 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Wed 10 Jun 19:00 - Wed 10 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Wed 17 Jun 19:00 - Wed 17 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Wed 24 Jun 19:00 - Wed 24 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here. -
Tue 28 Jul
- $320.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Tue 28 Jul 19:00 - Tue 28 Jul 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Tue 04 Aug 19:00 - Tue 04 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Tue 11 Aug 19:00 - Tue 11 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Tue 18 Aug 19:00 - Tue 18 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Tue 25 Aug 19:00 - Tue 25 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Tue 01 Sep 19:00 - Tue 01 Sep 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Tue 08 Sep 19:00 - Tue 08 Sep 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Tue 15 Sep 19:00 - Tue 15 Sep 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here. -
Sat 29 AugDuration Saturday & Sunday 10 AM - 4:30 PM & glazing session Saturday 19th September At Selwyn College, Auckland. Matt McLean
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 2
Sat 29 Aug 10:00 - Sun 29 Aug 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 1
Sun 30 Aug 10:00 - Sun 30 Aug 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here. -
Tue 13 Oct
- $320.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Tue 13 Oct 19:00 - Tue 13 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Tue 20 Oct 19:00 - Tue 20 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Tue 27 Oct 19:00 - Tue 27 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Tue 10 Nov 19:00 - Tue 10 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Tue 17 Nov 19:00 - Tue 17 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Tue 24 Nov 19:00 - Tue 24 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Tue 01 Dec 19:00 - Tue 01 Dec 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Tue 08 Dec 19:00 - Tue 08 Dec 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here. -
Wed 14 OctEight Wednesdays, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (No class 4th November) At Selwyn College, Auckland. Matt McLean
- $320.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Wed 14 Oct 19:00 - Wed 14 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Wed 21 Oct 19:00 - Wed 21 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Wed 28 Oct 19:00 - Wed 28 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Wed 04 Nov 19:00 - Wed 09 Dec 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Wed 11 Nov 19:00 - Wed 11 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Wed 18 Nov 19:00 - Wed 18 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Wed 25 Nov 19:00 - Wed 25 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Wed 02 Dec 19:00 - Wed 02 Dec 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here. -
Sat 31 OctDuration Saturday & Sunday 10 AM - 4:30 PM & glazing session Saturday 7th November At Selwyn College, Auckland. Matt McLean
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Sat 31 Oct 10:00 - Sat 31 Oct 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Sun 01 Nov 10:00 - Sun 01 Nov 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
Description
Course formats
Evening courses run over eight weekly sessions. Courses are available on either Tuesday or Wednesday evenings 7.00pm - 9.00pm.
Weekend courses run over two weekends. The first part of each course runs on a Saturday and Sunday 10.00am - 4:30pm. Then a follow-up class will run on a Saturday 10.00am to 1.00pm to glaze your pieces. Courses are limited to 12 per year due to constraints in our pottery room and kiln room. Each year's courses are published in approximately November of the prior year.
Course dates 2026
- Tuesdays 7pm - 9pm starting 10 February
- Wednesdays 7pm - 9pm starting 11 February
- Weekend Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th March 10am - 4:30pm plus glazing session Saturday 28th March
- Tuesdays 7pm - 9pm starting 5th May
- Wednesdays 7pm - 9pm starting 6th May
- Tuesdays 7pm -9pm starting 28th July
- Weekend Saturday and Sunday 29th & 30th August 10am - 4:30pm plus glazing session Saturday 19th September
- Tuesdays 7pm - 9pm starting 13th October
- Wednesdays 7pm - 9pm starting 14th October
- Weekend Saturday and 31st October and Sunday 1st November 10am - 4:30pm plus glazing session Saturday 7th November
Matt will discuss dates and times for collecting fired pieces.
About Pottery Beginners
Ideal for beginners or those relatively new to pottery, this Auckland class introduces a range of clay forming and decorating techniques that will equip you to work independently at home. A range of hand building approaches, wheel throwing, slip trailing and press moulding are covered.
This course is focused on learning technical skills which Matt teaches in a systematic way - usually demonstration first, then group practice. For most students it takes a full course to acquire these basic skills and you will produce a few simple pieces as part of your learning. Once you have mastered the basics you are encouraged to pursue your own creative direction (in either a second term of classes or at home). It is important to attend the first two classes of your course as foundational skills are covered in this classes. Please enrol at a time when your schedule will permit this.
The maximum class size is 11 students. We have three wheels available for most classes. Your fee covers basic clay and glazes as well as firing. Matt will have some tools available to share with the group (cutting wires, smoothing tools, texture tools, shaping tools, sponges etc). You are welcome to share the use of these tools or buy your own (a cheap kit is available at The Warehouse and Matt will talk about this in the first class).
Matt is one of New Zealand's top award-winning potters, and is a dedicated and patient teacher.
About our facilities
We are excited to have you join us in our small pottery shed, located next to our kiln room at the back of Selwyn College, for a fun and creative pottery experience. Since the shed can be cold in the winter months, it is essential to dress appropriately to ensure your comfort while you work on your pottery masterpieces. We suggest you layer up, wear a warm top, warm socks, closed shoes or boots, hat and scarf if you particularly feel the cold.
By dressing appropriately for the class, you can fully enjoy the experience without being distracted by the cold weather. We'll have heaters in the shed to make it as comfortable as possible, but dressing warmly will ensure you have a great time learning and creating your pottery pieces
If you have any further questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact the office.
Expected learning outcomes
On completion of the course it is expected that you will be able to:
- use a range of hand-building techniques
- form a simple vessel on the wheel (if you choose to learn the wheel)
- decorate with slips, oxides and stains
- apply glazes
Who should attend?
Those new to pottery wishing to learn hand forming techniques in a structured setting. Matt encourages students to attend the course twice if possible to practise learned techniques in a supported environment before crafting at home.
Next level course
Once students have acquired strong hand building skills (this usually takes two terms of the beginner level course), Matt offers a Next Steps course to develop more complex techniques such as handles, spouts, feed and lids.
Testimonials
Dear Anne, I’m just writing to say what a privilege it was to do your Pottery Course with Matt McLean. He is an extremely experienced tutor with a wealth of knowledge to pass on to his students. This is high calibre teaching at its best. Thank you for the opportunity. Sue M August 2022
Feedback from past students:
- Hi Please pass on my thanks to Matt-thoroughly enjoyed these evening classes and the tolerance, generosity and humour that Matt brings to the lessons. Highly recommended. Kind regards Cheryl
- What a privilege it was to do your Pottery Course with Matt McLean.
- He is an extremely experienced tutor with a wealth of knowledge to pass on to his students. This is high calibre teaching at its best.
- The course is good with reasonable price and suitable class size. It's great that more people can know and join. Great fun!
- I liked that it is not too structured - you're free to make what interests you but other tools and ideas are available if you want to branch out
- Matt is very knowledgeable, clear in his explanation, patient and helpful - and friendly! This is my second time taking this course, I am happy I returned
- Enjoyed everything! I attended this course along with 2 friends last year - this yer we all cam back and brought 2 more friends. I like the combination of practical skills and freedom given my the tutor to experiment. The course covers a great range of techniques so beginners can accomplish a variety, rather than feeling restricted by their newbie-ness. Matt is a great tutor, gives lots of good instructions, and feedback when needed. He's very knowledgeable, and great at one-on-one and group instruction. I'll probably be back for a 3rd run soon
