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. Do you want us to email you when new courses are scheduled? Click on "Let me know about future course dates".
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Tue 02 May
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Tue 02 May 19:00 - Tue 02 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Tue 09 May 19:00 - Tue 09 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Tue 16 May 19:00 - Tue 16 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Tue 23 May 19:00 - Tue 23 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Tue 30 May 19:00 - Tue 30 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Tue 06 Jun 19:00 - Tue 06 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Tue 13 Jun 19:00 - Tue 13 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Tue 20 Jun 19:00 - Tue 20 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Event is fullJoin waiting list -
Wed 03 May
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Wed 03 May 19:00 - Wed 03 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Wed 10 May 19:00 - Wed 10 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Wed 17 May 19:00 - Wed 17 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Wed 24 May 19:00 - Wed 24 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Wed 31 May 19:00 - Wed 31 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Wed 07 Jun 19:00 - Wed 07 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Wed 14 Jun 19:00 - Wed 14 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Wed 21 Jun 19:00 - Wed 21 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Register4 places remaining -
Sat 06 MayFull weekend, Sat & Sun 10 AM - 4:30 PM plus glazing session 27 May 10 AM - 1 PM At Selwyn College, Auckland. Matt McLean
Weekend course
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Sat 06 May 10:00 - Sat 06 May 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Sun 07 May 10:00 - Sun 07 May 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3 Glazing
Sat 27 May 10:00 - Sat 27 May 13:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Register2 places remaining
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Tue 25 Jul
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Tue 25 Jul 19:00 - Tue 25 Jul 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Tue 01 Aug 19:00 - Tue 01 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Tue 08 Aug 19:00 - Tue 08 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Tue 15 Aug 19:00 - Tue 15 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Tue 22 Aug 19:00 - Tue 22 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Tue 29 Aug 19:00 - Tue 29 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Tue 05 Sep 19:00 - Tue 05 Sep 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Tue 12 Sep 19:00 - Tue 12 Sep 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland. -
Wed 26 Jul
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Wed 26 Jul 19:00 - Wed 26 Jul 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Wed 02 Aug 19:00 - Wed 02 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Wed 09 Aug 19:00 - Wed 09 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Wed 16 Aug 19:00 - Wed 16 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Wed 23 Aug 19:00 - Wed 23 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Wed 30 Aug 19:00 - Wed 30 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Wed 06 Sep 19:00 - Wed 06 Sep 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Wed 13 Sep 19:00 - Wed 13 Sep 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland. -
Sat 29 JulFull weekend, Sat & Sun 10 AM - 4:30 PM plus glazing sessions 19 August 10 AM - 1 PM At Selwyn College, Auckland. Matt McLean
Weekend
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Sat 29 Jul 10:00 - Sat 29 Jul 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Sun 30 Jul 10:00 - Sun 30 Jul 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3 Glazing
Sat 19 Aug 10:00 - Sat 19 Aug 13:00At Selwyn College, Auckland. -
Tue 17 Oct
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Tue 17 Oct 19:00 - Tue 17 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Tue 24 Oct 19:00 - Tue 24 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Tue 31 Oct 19:00 - Tue 31 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Tue 07 Nov 19:00 - Tue 07 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Tue 14 Nov 19:00 - Tue 14 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Tue 21 Nov 19:00 - Tue 21 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Tue 28 Nov 19:00 - Tue 28 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Tue 05 Dec 19:00 - Tue 05 Dec 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland. -
Wed 18 Oct
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Wed 18 Oct 19:00 - Wed 18 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Wed 25 Oct 19:00 - Wed 25 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Wed 01 Nov 19:00 - Wed 01 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Wed 08 Nov 19:00 - Wed 08 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Wed 15 Nov 19:00 - Wed 15 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Wed 22 Nov 19:00 - Wed 22 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Wed 29 Nov 19:00 - Wed 29 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Wed 06 Dec 19:00 - Wed 06 Dec 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland. -
Sat 28 OctFull Weekend, Sat & Sun 10 AM - 4:30 PM plus glazing session 11 November 10 AM - 1 PM At Selwyn College, Auckland. Matt McLean
Weekend course
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Sat 28 Oct 10:00 - Sat 28 Oct 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Sun 29 Oct 10:00 - Sun 29 Oct 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3 Glazing
Sat 11 Nov 10:00 - Sat 11 Nov 13:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.
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. 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 for 2023
- Evening course: Tuesdays 7 - 9pm starting 14 February 2023 for eight weeks FULL
- Evening course: Wednesdays 7 - 9pm starting 15 February 2023 for eight weeks FULL
- Weekend course: 4 - 5 March 2023 10am - 4:30pm plus glazing session 25 March 10am - 1pm
- Evening course: Tuesdays 7 - 9pm starting 2 May 2023 for eight weeks
- Evening course: Wednesdays 7 - 9pm starting 3 May 2023 for eight weeks
- Weekend course: 6 - 7 May 2023 10am - 4:30pm plus glazing session 27 May 2023 10am - 1pm
- Evening course: Tuesdays 7 - 9pm starting 25 July 2023 for eight weeks
- Evening course: Wednesdays 7 - 9pm starting 26 July 2023 for eight weeks
- Weekend course: 29 - 30 July 2023 10am - 4:30pm plus glazing session 19 August 2023 10am - 1pm
- Evening course: Tuesdays 7 - 9pm starting 17 October 2023 for eight weeks
- Evening course: Wednesdays 7 - 9pm starting 18 October 2023 for eight weeks
- Weekend course: 28 - 29 October 2023 10am - 4:30pm plus glazing session 11 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
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
