Pottery Classes for Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced 

The First Term at our new premises was a success, thanks to all the members and friends who helped setting all the equipment in place. All places are filled in the classes for term Two, however Renate is offering a Thursday day class for those, free at that time, wishing to learn to throw.

Email: mtpleasantpottery@gmail.com 

​2021, Term dates: 
.Term 2 beginning Monday 3 May.   All classes are full

Term 3 beginning Monday 26 July.
​
​Term 4 beginning Monday 18 October.

Classes - Term 1, 2021

Monday - All skill level class

7.00PM - 9.00PM
Beginning 8th February
Final night 15th March

6 week tuition: $120.00
Covers:
Hand Building;
Wheel
Decorating
Glazing
Firing Techniques
Structure & Form

To enrol contact: Alex Prentice, alexprenticefamily@gmail.com

Wednesday Night - All skill level class

7.00 to 9.00PM
Beginning Wed 10th February
Final night Wed 17th March

6 week tuition: $120.00
Covers:
Hand building
Wheel
Decorating
Glazing
Firing Techniques
Structure & Form

To enrol contact: Alex Prentice, alexprenticefamily@gmail.com

Thursday - All skill level class

7.00PM - 9.00PM
Beginning Thurs 11th February
Final day Thurs 18th March

6 week tuition: $120.00
Covers:
Hand Building
Wheel
Decorating
Glazing
Firing Techniques
Structure & Form

To enrol contact: Alex Prentice, alexprenticefamily@gmail.com

Club Days

Tuesday
Club Days

Day:
10AM - 3.00PM

Evenings:
7PM - 9.30PM

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Monthly Wheel Class for the Beginner Thrower - Project based

Max number of students: 6 to 8
Fee per Semester: $180.00
Time: last Saturday of the month, 9:30 to 12:30. 2 semesters, 5 sessions per semester
Target group: Beginning/inexperienced potter. No previous experience required
Membership: You will either be a full member of the club (so you can access equipment outside of class) or you have your own wheel and workshop and fee will be adjusted to include class membership.
Session outline
Participants will work on their own individual projects. Reflection on individuals work within the whole group (we will learn from and with each other)
Technical demonstrations by tutor; throwing techniques, turning, tips and tricks, do’s and don’ts, rescue missions, best tools for the job, etc.
Work on one’s own pots, throwing, turning etc with observation, feedback and tips from tutor.
Individual plans for the following 4 weeks of own work; practice homework.
We will each work with a project work book, include drawings, visual ideas, measurements, reflections, take notes of useful tips and insights etc.
Outcomes: Improved wheel work skills including centering, shape repetitions, achieving desired shapes.
Developing ones own unique style, preference of form and design.
Understanding domestic dishes, their purpose, shapes and their qualities.
Tutor: Renate Galetzka, 0211336620, rgaletzka@gmail.com

Monthly Wheel Class for the Intermediate Thrower - Project based

Max number of students: 6 to 8
Fee per Semester: $180.00
Time: last Friday of the month, 9:30 to 12:30. 2 semesters, 5 sessions per semester
Target group: intermediate potter. Last year’s Friday class members will have first option.
Prerequisite: for Intermediate Class student, i.e. to easily and successfully centre 700g of clay
Membership: You will either be a full member of the club (so you can access equipment outside of class) or you have your own wheel and workshop and fee will be adjusted to include class membership.
Session outline
Participants will work on their own individual projects. Reflection on individuals work within the whole group (we will learn from and with each other)
Technical demonstrations by tutor; throwing techniques, turning, tips and tricks, do’s and don’ts, rescue missions, best tools for the job, etc.
Work on one’s own pots, throwing, turning etc with observation, feedback and tips from tutor.
Individual plans for the following 4 weeks of own work; practice homework.
We will each work with a project work book, include drawings, visual ideas, measurements, reflections, take notes of useful tips and insights etc.
Outcomes: Improved wheel work skills including centering, shape repetitions, achieving desired shapes.
Developing ones own unique style, preference of form and design.
Understanding domestic dishes, their purpose, shapes and their qualities. Tutor: Renate Galetzka, 0211336620, rgaletzka@gmail.com

Monthly Wheel Class for on-going potters - Project based

Max number of students: 10
Fee per Semester: to be advised
Time: last Thursday of the month, 9:30 to 11:30.
Eight weeks during term
Target group: Potters and aspiring potters of all levels

Membership: You will either be a full member of the club (so you can access equipment outside of class) or you have your own wheel and workshop and fee will be adjusted to include class membership. With option two you will not be able to use club rooms and equipment, including kilns, wheels etc, outside of class.
Term outline
Sessions 1 to 5: Working on the wheel, throwing, turning, handles, spouts, lids, drying etc
Session 6: preparing pots for first firing, decoration on raw work (if wanted), stacking kiln and firing bisque firing
Session 7: Decoration on bisque work (if wanted), waxing and glazing, stacking kiln and firing gloss firing
Session 8: unpacking kiln, discussing outcomes, analysis and troubleshooting, planning next steps and next term

Session outline
Participants will work on their own individual projects
There will be at least one technical demonstration per session; throwing techniques, turning, successful glazing techniques etc. topics depending on students’ needs and where we are in the process of production
Work on one’s own pots, throwing, turning etc with observation, feedback and tips from tutor
We will each work with a project work book, include drawings, visual ideas, measurements, reflections, take notes of useful tips and insights, firing details etc
Outcomes
Improved wheel work skills including centering, shape repetitions, achieving desired shapes
Understanding the order of production, including glazing and firing
Developing one’s own unique style, preference of form and design
Understanding domestic dishes, their purpose, shapes and their qualities

Tutor: Renate Galetzka, 0211336620, rgaletzka@gmail.com

About the Tutor I love the process of throwing on the potter’s wheel. In the 90s I did extensive work experience with Frederika Ernsten. In the early 2000s I did a traditional pottery apprenticeship in Switzerland under Kartin Nigg. I hold a trade certificate in Pottery from ‘Schule für Gestaltung’, Zurich. Now I mainly produce to order, private and commercial commissions. I love incorporating customers ideas and creativity into my work. In my regular work I often use a lot of bright colours. All of my work is hand thrown and individually decorated. Each piece is unique in its decoration and design. All my domestic work is suitable for dishwasher and micro wave oven.

Health & Safety

Mt Pleasant Pottery Group

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

Further information in the booklet "Potters Beware," available in your class-room or at https://ehs.princeton.edu/health-safety-the-campus-community/art-theater-safety/art-safety/ceramics

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,

 When you make a direct deposit payment online, please ensure to include in the reference:
     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