Ceramics: functional pots evening course

Our studio is based in Leith; a creative bustling area, with lots of great local amenities including delis, cafes, bars and other studios. Public transport is good, with buses running along the street and the tram a short walk away. We are on the ground floor in our self contained studio.

Each class will run on Tuesday evening from 6 til 8.30. Over the six weeks we will cover a variety of approaches to making pots for you to use. Run by both Fiona and Chris, you will be able to benefit from their varied approaches and expertise.

There are a few techniques that can be used for making tableware and other practical pots. We will cover wheelthrowing, slab building, press moulding and other kinds of handbuilding as appropriate. We will show you how to plan and construct your pieces, considering practical and ergonomic details, and think about what you would like to use the pieces for. This could include: planters, mugs, tapas dishes, lidded jars, small plates and much more.

Wheelthrowing will be taught by Chris; he will take you through the stages of centering, hollowing out and making a vessel starting with bowls. As you build on your skills and confidence at the wheel over the weeks you will be able to develop this further and try new forms. He will also show you how to make handles, spouts and feet for your pieces as required.

Fiona will focus on the handbuilding; building your pieces with slabs and using our press moulds to make plates and dishes, as well as pinch pots for smaller scale pieces. Surface decoration is a big part of the course - we will cover slip decoration (painting, monoprinting and stencilling for example), markmaking, and creating texture and pattern. We have a range of glazes for you to use (all food safe).

Most of the practical demos will be shown in the first 4 weeks, with most sessions including a couple of different things so you can switch between pieces and processes as appropriate.

Host or Publisher Cyan Clayworks