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. The first three upcoming courses are visible. To see later course dates, click 'show more'.
-
Sat 07 Aug
- $240.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Sat 07 Aug 10:00 - Sat 07 Aug 16:30Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Sun 08 Aug 10:00 - Sun 08 Aug 16:30Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3: Glazing session
Sat 28 Aug 10:00 - Sat 28 Aug 13:00Selwyn College, Auckland.Event is fullJoin waiting list -
Tue 19 Oct8 classes, Tuesdays 7 - 9 pm Selwyn College, Auckland. Matt McLean
Essential to attend the first two weeks if you're new to this course
- $240.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Tue 19 Oct 19:00 - Tue 19 Oct 21:00Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Tue 26 Oct 19:00 - Tue 26 Oct 21:00Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Tue 02 Nov 19:00 - Tue 02 Nov 21:00Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Tue 09 Nov 19:00 - Tue 09 Nov 21:00Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Tue 16 Nov 19:00 - Tue 16 Nov 21:00Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Tue 23 Nov 19:00 - Tue 23 Nov 21:00Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Tue 30 Nov 19:00 - Tue 30 Nov 21:00Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Tue 07 Dec 19:00 - Tue 07 Dec 21:00Selwyn College, Auckland.Register2 places remaining -
Wed 20 Oct8 classes, Wednesdays 7 - 9 pm Selwyn College, Auckland. Matt McLean
Essential to attend the first two weeks if you're new to this course
- $240.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Wed 20 Oct 19:00 - Wed 20 Oct 21:00Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Wed 27 Oct 19:00 - Wed 27 Oct 21:00Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Wed 03 Nov 19:00 - Wed 03 Nov 21:00Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Wed 10 Nov 19:00 - Wed 10 Nov 21:00Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Wed 17 Nov 19:00 - Wed 17 Nov 21:00Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Wed 24 Nov 19:00 - Wed 24 Nov 21:00Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Wed 01 Dec 19:00 - Wed 01 Dec 21:00Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Wed 08 Dec 19:00 - Wed 08 Dec 21:00Selwyn College, Auckland.Register2 places remaining
-
Sat 30 OctSat & Sun 10am - 4:30pm plus Saturday glazing session 10am - 1pm Selwyn College, Auckland. Matt McLean
- $240.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Sat 30 Oct 10:00 - Sat 30 Oct 16:30Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Sun 31 Oct 10:00 - Sun 31 Oct 16:30Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3: Glazing session
Sat 20 Nov 10:00 - Sat 20 Nov 13:00Selwyn College, Auckland.
Description
Courses starting February, May and July courses have been removed from the website as they are now full with long waiting lists.
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 followup class will run on a Saturday 10am to 1pm to finalise glazing your pieces.
Course dates for 2021
- Evening course: Tuesdays 7 - 9pm starting 16 February for eight weeks FULL
- Evening course: Wednesdays 7 - 9pm starting 17 February for eight weeks FULL
- Weekend course: Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 February 10am - 4:30pm plus Saturday 20 March 10am - 1pm glazing workshop FULL
- Evening course: Tuesdays 7 - 9pm starting 4 May for eight weeks FULL
- Evening course: Wednesdays 7 - 9pm starting 5 May for eight weeks FULL
- Weekend course: Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 May 10am - 4:30pm plus Saturday 5 June 10am - 1pm glazing workshop FULL
- Evening course: Tuesdays 7 - 9pm starting 27 July for eight weeks FULL
- Evening course: Wednesdays 7 - 9pm starting 28 July for eight weeks FULL
- Weekend course: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 August 10am - 4:30pm plus Saturday 28 August 10am - 1pm glazing workshop
- Evening course: Tuesdays 7 - 9pm starting 19 October for eight weeks
- Evening course: Wednesdays 7 - 9pm starting 20 October for eight weeks
- Weekend course: Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 October plus Saturday 20 November 10am - 1pm glazing workshop
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).
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
From 2019: "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"
Feedback from 2018:
- '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'
