Pottery Beginners
Have you ever wanted to work with clay, but not known where to start? Come and learn a range of skills that you can later adapt to fulfil your creative ideas. This course, designed for beginners or relative beginners, teaches hand building skills in a structured way. It is essential to attend the first two evening classes or the first weekend day to learn foundational skills. Read below dates for more information.
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Sat 29 OctSaturday and Sunday 10am - 4:30pm plus 10am - 1pm on Sat 19 Nov At Selwyn College, Auckland. Matt McLean
- $260.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Sat 29 Oct 10:00 - Sat 29 Oct 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Sun 30 Oct 10:00 - Sun 30 Oct 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3: Glazing session
Sat 19 Nov 10:00 - Sat 19 Nov 13:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Event is fullJoin waiting list
Description
Course formats
Evening courses run over eight weekly sessions. Courses are available on either Tuesday or Wednesday evenings 7 - 9pm. Weekend courses run over two weekends. The first part of each course runs on a Saturday and Sunday 10am - 4:30pm. Then a follow-up class will run on a Saturday 10am to 1pm to glaze your pieces.
Course dates for 2022
- Evening course: Tuesdays 7 - 9pm starting 15 February 2022 for eight weeks FULL
- Evening course: Wednesdays 7 - 9pm starting 16 February 2022 for eight weeks FULL
- Weekend course: 12 - 13 March 2022 10am - 4:30pm plus glazing session 26 March 10am - 1pm
- Evening course: Tuesdays 7 - 9pm starting 3 May 2022 for eight weeks FULL
- Evening course: Wednesdays 7 - 9pm starting 4 May 2022 for eight weeks FULL
- Weekend course: 14 - 15 May 2022 10am - 4:30pm plus glazing session 4 June 10am - 1pm Changed to 18 - 19 June plus 2 July
- Evening course: Tuesdays 7 - 9pm starting 26 July 2022 for eight weeks FULL
- Evening course: Wednesdays 7 - 9pm starting 27 July 2022 for eight weeks FULL
- Weekend course: 6 - 7 August 2022 10am - 4:30pm plus glazing session 27 August 10am - 1pm FULL
- Evening course: Tuesdays 7 - 9pm starting 18 October 2022 for eight weeks FULL
- Evening course: Wednesdays 7 - 9pm starting 19 October 2022 for eight weeks FULL
- Weekend course: 29 - 30 October 2022 10am - 4:30pm plus glazing session 19 November 10am - 1pm.
Matt will discuss dates and times for collecting fired pieces.
About Pottery Beginners
Ideal for beginners or those relatively new to pottery, this course 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 some 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.
Maximum class size 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.
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.
Testimonials
August 2022:
"Dear Anne
- 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
