5-Week Pottery Practice Sessions

No. Practice Sessions are untaught and are intended for people who already have experience working with clay and are comfortable working independently in the studio.

A studio technician will be present throughout the session to assist with the studio facilities, equipment and materials, but formal tuition and demonstrations are not included.

Practice Sessions are suitable for those who have previously attended classes at Ceramics Sculpture Studio or have equivalent pottery experience elsewhere.

You should be able to work independently, be familiar with good studio practice and have enough experience to continue developing your wheel-throwing or hand-building skills without regular tuition.

If you are unsure whether your experience is suitable, please contact the studio before booking.

Practice Sessions are limited to a maximum of 8 participants, allowing everyone good access to the studio facilities, equipment and working space.

You can use the sessions to practise and develop your existing wheel-throwing or hand-building skills and work on your own ideas at your own pace.

These sessions are designed to give you regular studio time to practise, refine forms and become more confident and independent in your making.

Please bring your own apron. The studio provides a selection of pottery tools, although you are welcome to bring your own tools if you prefer.

We are unable to provide storage for personal belongings, aprons or toolboxes, so these will need to be taken home after each session.

Working with clay can be messy, so please wear suitable clothes and shoes. We also recommend removing jewellery, watches and bracelets while working with clay.

You are going to use a plastic, smooth Pale Buff stoneware clay. This clay body recipe is a blend of selected low iron clays providing an ideal background for a sculptural and decorative approach to stoneware ceramics. Silica sand makes it excellent for throwing on the pottery wheel too. This clay firing range is 1120°C - 1280°C.

No. For health and safety reasons and to ensure compatibility with our firing processes, outside clay, glazes and other ceramic materials cannot be brought into the studio.

A selection of studio glazes is available for you to use.

Practice Sessions are primarily about developing your skills through regular making and experimentation. You can select your best pieces to be fired and glazed.

Please make sure that work intended for firing is completed in sufficient time to dry fully before the end of your Practice Session block. Further information about glazing and firing will be provided in the studio.

Firing takes time, and finished work may take approximately three weeks or longer to be ready for collection.

You will receive an email when your work is ready. Please collect it within 14 days of the collection email, as we are unable to store finished work indefinitely.

Please allow at least 20 minutes at the end of every session to clean your tools, equipment and working area.

Keeping the studio clean is part of good ceramic studio practice and is the responsibility of everyone using the space.

Food and drinks should not be consumed in the working areas of the studio.

Clay dust should be avoided wherever possible. Dry clay should not be swept or disturbed, and sanding must not be carried out inside the studio. Any sanding should be done in the designated outdoor area while wearing appropriate respiratory protection.

All participants should also familiarise themselves with the studio's fire safety and evacuation procedures.

Please check the dates carefully before booking. Practice Session bookings are for a fixed block of dates, and missed sessions cannot be transferred, rescheduled, refunded or carried over to another block.

Yes. If you would like to continue having regular studio time, you can book another 5-Week or 9-Week Practice Session, subject to availability.

Regular independent practice is one of the most effective ways to develop greater control, confidence and consistency when working with clay.