4 WEEKS CREATIVE HANDBUILDING COURSE - EVENINGS

ABOUT THE COURSE

Stoneware clay has been used for centuries to make pottery pieces that are both functional and beautiful. This course will teach you how to make pieces by hand, including a variety of useful objects like pots, dishes, platters, and even jewellery pieces or buttons. You can also create your own piece of abstract work by hand if you prefer!

The workshops will give you the opportunity to design and hand-make your very own pieces through a series of making and decorating techniques that will be taught over the four evenings (one evening per week). This course concentrates on hand-making techniques off the pottery wheel.

Over the course of the 4 evenings, you will learn to make different pieces using a slab roller, cutting, and shaping tools. You will also learn how to decorate and glaze your work.

Upon the completion of the course, we will fire 2 of your favourite pieces that you glazed throughout the course and contact you when they are ready for collection. This usually is between 8-10 weeks after the class.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After 7 weeks, you will be familiar with:

- coiling, slabbing, pinching, building, and sculpting techniques

- handling clay and understanding your pottery tools

- taking care of your workstation

You will also learn decorative techniques including:

Slip decoration - Slip is a coloured, or uncoloured, liquified clay which can be treated like paint to decorate clay pieces. You will be taught how to use slip and the opening up methods of decoration, beyond traditional glazing. Slip can be used to create broad, abstract textured images or flat, precise detailed work.

Sgraffitto - You will be taught how to use the sgraffitto method of decoration, technically a form of slip decoration. Contrasting colours of slip are layered onto your unfired clay. Your design or pattern is then scratched or carved into the dried slip to reveal the different colours beneath.

TIME: 4 evenings, from 6 pm - 8 pm

If you would like to give this course as a gift please look at our Gift Cards options here.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Please ensure that you, or the individual you are gifting the workshop to, can attend the workshop.

Unfortunately, we are not in a position to offer refunds for our workshops. We can reschedule your workshop if you notify us 3 weeks before your workshop.

For our weekly workshops, all weekly scheduled dates are not transferable. Be sure to double-check your workshop dates before booking to ensure there are no scheduling conflicts.

FAQs

Who is this course for? This pottery workshop will best suit beginners looking for an introduction to working with clay, or those who have worked with clay before and would like a simple refresher or time to make some new pieces.

Is there an age limit for the Workshop? This course is generally for people aged 18 and above. A teenager may attend if an adult accompanies them. Please let us know in advance.

What are my transport/parking options for getting to the workshop? The nearest Luas Red Line stop is 'Four Courts', (a five-minute walk away), and many bus routes service Stop 1479 on Ormond Quay, located at the junction with Capel Street. You'll also find a Dublin Bikes stand at each of these locations. Due to our City Centre location, on-street parking immediately outside the building is limited, but there is pay and display in the vicinity and a large car park nearby at Jervis Shopping Centre and beside the Fruit and Vegetable Markets.

What does the course entail? You will be greeted by your teacher and brought to your classroom. Each participant will have access to their own pottery tools for the duration of the workshop. We supply all the materials you need. Each workshop ends with a class and equipment tidy-up.

What should I wear/bring? Please wear comfortable clothes that you do not mind getting messy. Please bring your own apron (or an oversized T-shirt) and a hand towel to keep your clothes tidy.

Are there any Health and Safety issues? Please keep your hair tied up and your nails short.

When will my pots be available for collection? On completion of the course, we will fire 3 of your favourite pieces for you that you have made and glazed throughout the course. We will contact you when they are ready for collection which is usually between 8-10 weeks after the class.

Where can I contact you with any questions? You can email us at [email protected].

Host or Publisher Arran Street East