Photograph by Cat Lane

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Tuesdays
6.30–9pm

Dates
18, 25 January, 1 8,15 February, 1, 8,15, 22, 29 March 2022

Half Term: 21–27 February 2022 (no teaching)

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£275

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Gift vouchers available

Spaces
We are booking up to 8 people on this course however this is subject to change based on government guidelines concerning Covid 19.

Safety
We are committed to working with our artists and communities in continuing to provide opportunities for creativity during these challenging times. Together, we have been working throughout lockdown in reconfiguring our courses to ensure the safety of all concerned without compromising on quality. Find out more about our new safety measures.

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Download our Ceramic Studio Handbook for further details on our studio terms of use. Please note you will be allocated 6kg of clay for the duration of the course.

Please read our Covid-19 Booking Terms and Conditions below carefully before booking.

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Who is this class suitable for?
Ages 16+
Suitable for any level of experience, from beginners to those attending previous pottery classes.

What will be covered in the class?
Over this ten-week course students will learn various methods of creating form from clay in an intimate, small group guided by ceramicist Andy Macdermott.

You will learn an array of hand building pottery techniques including using slabs, pinching/shaping, making a pottery stamp, glazing and decoration techniques too. You will see your works through the making process with soft clay to the adding of glazes after a bisque firing in the kiln to the finished shiny stoneware pieces.

Due to the small numbers in the group each participant will have individual support time from the tutor and will develop not only a practical ability in working with clay but also will gain knowledge and understanding of this heritage craft.

Note: this class is not suitable for those wanting to learn the pottery wheel.

• Week 1: Introduction including health and safety. Begin a mini making project
  
• Week 2: Slab building bowls/plates/cup forms
  
• Week 3: Slab building bowls/plates/cups
  
• Week 4: Glazing discussion overview. Finish making slab-built pieces for firing
  
• Week 5: Glazing pieces
  
• Week 6: Pinching/coiling a small set of bowls or cups
  
• Week 7: finishing off/decorating pinched bowls/cups
  
• Week 8: Slab build trinket boxes or clocks
  
• Week 9: Finish slab build trinket boxes/glazing
  
• Week 10: Glazing final pieces

What will students leave the class with?
A knowledge of the basic processes of pottery creation. 5–6 pieces of finished ceramic works.

(You will be allocated 6kg of clay for the duration of the course, please see our environmental statement below).

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What will I need to bring?
You may wish to bring a sketchbook to draw designs and make notes.

Aprons or coveralls should be worn at all times, along with hair-ties and closed-toe shoes

Location
Ceramics Studio (Ground floor with raised tables, narrow doorways).

🌍️
In an effort to make our site more environmentally friendly, we ask that students respect our wishes to reduce the amount of uncollected / unwanted work at the end of term.

Tutor
Andrew Macdermott is highly skilled potter, an artist who combines a love of texture and form with real passion about the therapeutic benefits of working with clay; this combined with a background in community development means it is no surprise that Andy's patience and kindness makes him one of the most popular tutors teaching ceramics in and around Milton Keynes.
www.andrewmacdermott.com