Pottery Classes for Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced
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A range of classes and workshops are offered for 2023.
Please be aware that all students enrolled in classes must be club members (membership is $85/year or $50/half year) |
Meet Our Tutors
All our tutors are experience potters and artist in their own ceramic specialties. The classes they provide often cater to different styles of working with clay. Some of the styles include, wheel work, hand building and sculpture work.
Alex Prentice
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Renate Galetzka
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Lesley Towart
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Dianne McDonald
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Shona Clarkson
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Our Classes
We are ecstatic about the classes up for offer in 2023. This is the first year that we have offered so many classes from so many talented tutors! All 2023 pottery students are required become a member.
Half-year membership - $50 Full year membership - $85
As members you will have access to the club rooms on club days (Tuesday). Members will be invited to demonstration nights and workshops throughout the year. Being a member at the club is a great opportunity to practice your pottery skills outside of class times!
As members you will have access to the club rooms on club days (Tuesday). Members will be invited to demonstration nights and workshops throughout the year. Being a member at the club is a great opportunity to practice your pottery skills outside of class times!
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General Classes
Mount Pleasant Pottery offers 3 general pottery classes. These classes are a great way to start your pottery journey. If done for multiple terms, you will gain skills in wheel work and handbuilding. The 3 seperate classes run on either a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday evening.
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When: Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday
Time : 7pm - 9pm Term Length: 8 weeks Start Date: Term 1: 30 Jan - 30 March, Term 2: 24 April - 15 June, Term 3: 17 July - 7 Sept, Term 4: 9 October - 30 Nov Target Group: Beginners - Intermediate Fees per Term: $150 + Membership Materials and kiln firing extra Please note: The actual start date is different depending on which class you are in. The date stated is the week where classes start. |
Contact and applyLimited places available
Tutor contact: Alex Prentice. alexprenticefamily@gmail.com |
Beginner Wheel Class
The beginners wheel throwing class will include an introduction; understanding clay; wedging and centering, throwing clay on the wheel.
Designing your pot on paper before throwing your pot on the wheel. Learning how to trim and turn pots; drying, bisque pots and glazing. Kiln firing, loading and unloading;
Designing your pot on paper before throwing your pot on the wheel. Learning how to trim and turn pots; drying, bisque pots and glazing. Kiln firing, loading and unloading;
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When: Monday
Time : 4.30pm - 6.30pm Term Length: 8 weeks Start Date: Term 1: 30 Jan - 30 March, Term 2: 24 April - 15 June, Term 3: 17 July - 7 Sept, Term 4: 9 October - 30 NovTarget Group: Beginners Fees per Term: $150 + Membership Materials and kiln firing extra |
Contact and applySorry, this class is now full for Term 1.
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Thursday morning
Each term will be taught by one expert tutor where one particular topic will be the focus for the term. So if you want some expert tuition this class is for you.
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Thursday Morning Class (Term 3) Making your own Glaze with Shona Clarkson Mixing a series of glazes with one recipe changing it from shiny to matt , variegated, dark to light in colour. At the end of the course you will have a good glaze with a wide colour palette to use on your work. We will also make small bowls to decorate with our finished glazes. Working in pairs or threes, with each group making one glaze with adjustments. We will share all the glaze recipes. Time: 6 week course from 27 July to 31 August. 3hr sessions 9.30 to 12.30 for 5 weeks, last week 1hr Tuition Fee: $160. (includes glaze materials) Students to bring: clay to make test tiles and bowls, any scales measuring 200 gms, 200gm container with lids at least 20, small glaze sieve 80 mesh, old brushes for glazing, the usual tools . Tutor contact: Shona Clarkson claytech1@gmail.com Limited spaces available |
Thursday Morning Class (Term 4) Stacked garden Sculpture with Lesley Towart Creating a garden sculpture by hand building ceramic objects to stack on a metal rod. Time: Term 4: 9 October - 30 Nov, 10am - 12pm, Tuition Fee: $150 (8 x 2h sessions) Tutor contact: Lesley Towart lesleytowart@gmail.com Limited spaces available |
Monthly Wheel Class for the Intermediate Thrower
Project Based – Term 3 + 4
Participants will work on their own individual projects. Technical demonstrations by tutor, throwing techniques, turning, tips and tricks, do’s and don’ts, rescue missions, best tools for the job, reflections of shape, style and purpose, etc.
Prerequisite: to comfortably center 700g of clay and pull up a pleasing pot.
Prerequisite: to comfortably center 700g of clay and pull up a pleasing pot.
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When: Last Saturday of each month
Time: 9.30am - 12.30pm Start Month: July Target Group: Intermediate throwers Fees per Semester (2 terms): $150 + Membership Materials and kiln firing extra |
Contact and applySorry, this class is now full .
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Health & Safety
Mt Pleasant Pottery Group
Health and safety in the pottery room
Hazards include:
These hazards can be controlled by:
Managing your work in the classroom
1. Your name (especially if it is different from the account name)
2. What it is for, and if for:
Class Fees: include the term number and if for more than one person include both names.
Clay: include the bag number & type, e.g. LF18 or Macs white.
If there is more than one item, indicate all items in the 'particulars' line; (if you can’t fit it into the reference, send an email with the details to Ken at: doidge.ken@gmail.com and put ATTN Treasurer in the subject line)
Our account number is A/c Mt Pleasant pottery, Westpac: 03 1591 0083454 00
Many thanks, Mt Pleasant Committee
Health and safety in the pottery room
Hazards include:
- silica dust particles from clay, which can cause silicosis if inhaled over a long period
- some glaze materials and colorants are toxic or an irritant
- machinery and tools that if not operated correctly can lead to physical injury
These hazards can be controlled by:
- wiping up surfaces and spillages promptly before they dry and create dust
- protecting your clothes with an apron or towel, and laundering clayed clothes separately
- cleaning your tools
- washing your hands
- covering broken skin
- wearing a dust mask and gloves when handling glazes
- when using wheels, keep long hair tied up and do not wear loose clothing
Managing your work in the classroom
- it is your responsibility to ensure that your individual pieces are clearly marked with your initials or other unique identifier
- please stow your work on the shelves indicated by your tutor
- respect the work of your fellow potters, and do not handle their work
- because of pressure on space, once term is over, your completed work should be collected and any associated firing/glazing charges paid promptly; please note you must pay before uplifting your pots
- We regret we are unable to hold uncollected work indefinitely and reserve the right to dispose of it, after the end of term.
- Dear Students,
1. Your name (especially if it is different from the account name)
2. What it is for, and if for:
Class Fees: include the term number and if for more than one person include both names.
Clay: include the bag number & type, e.g. LF18 or Macs white.
If there is more than one item, indicate all items in the 'particulars' line; (if you can’t fit it into the reference, send an email with the details to Ken at: doidge.ken@gmail.com and put ATTN Treasurer in the subject line)
Our account number is A/c Mt Pleasant pottery, Westpac: 03 1591 0083454 00
Many thanks, Mt Pleasant Committee