Pottery Classes in Adelaide
Pottery and ceramics, have experienced a huge growth in popularity recently and as a result, there’s a big demand for pottery classes, or pottery lessons in Adelaide and surrounding suburbs.
Of course there’s always the option of attending regular classes at an adult learning centre with the goal of a certificate at the end of the course - but not everyone has the time for a big commitment like that.
What most people are looking for is a relaxed learning environment with a more casual feel; they want to try their hand at making a mug, under glazing, designing their own dinner plates and just having fun.
Here at Fleurieu Arthouse we are fortunate to house some of the regions’ best ceramicists and although we don’t currently offer regular pottery lessons or pottery classes in Adelaide, we do offer occasional, one-off pottery workshops. We can also point you in the right direction for some of the best regular pottery lessons in and around Adelaide.
Pottery Classes in Aldinga
Alex Linden who has a studio based in Aldinga offers an array of short courses including a 2 hour one-to-one wheel throwing class, a 3 hour one-to-one wheel throwing class and a 4 week block of wheel throwing classes with flexible session times.
A selection of Alex Linden's work at Fleurieu Arthouse
In addition to these, Alex also runs fun sessions built around constructing a specific piece such as a handcrafted vase class, mugs and jugs, make your own dinner set and coming soon, are large scale vessels and sculpture classes.
Alex’s sessions allow participants to learn the basics or to develop skills which you may already have in place. Experiment with surface decoration techniques and colour additions, grow in confidence and further your relationship with ceramics in a safe and nurturing environment.
See all options for Alex’s classes here, including group booking options.
Class sizes are kept small so you get just the right amount of attention to assist you in making your creations. Read more about Alex here or pop into Fleurieu Arthouse and see her work in our retail space.
Mieke Ceramics, also based in Aldinga Beach offers an array of pottery workshops to suit all-comers. There are sessions built around wheel throwing, pottery classes for teens, a taster workshop and neurodiverse clay workshops for NDIS participants.
Mieke’s work is also stocked here at Fleurieu Arthouse - so call in and see it during opening hours - daily between 11.00am and 4.00pm.
What to expect in a pottery lesson or workshop
When you attend a pottery lesson or workshop for the first time, it’s natural to feel some nervousness. You might wonder if you’ll be the only one with no experience - or if you will find it difficult.
Remember that the point of attending a focused pottery lesson or workshop, is to experience the medium - to learn more about it and to try it out. Nobody goes into a pottery lesson for the first time and turns out a perfect piece.
Handling clay for the first time however, is wonderful and because it is a very forgiving medium, if you make something with love, your finished project will almost certainly have its own charm.
When you first arrive at a pottery lesson, you will be shown around the various equipment and tools as well as taught a little about health and safety. You will then be guided in handling the clay - shown how to manage and work it in specific ways which are designed to ensure that you can create your piece with ease.
You may not finish your piece on your first session - especially if it is a larger piece. If this happens, that’s fine. You will be shown how to wrap it up securely so that it does not dry out - then you can unwrap it and carry on in your next session.
It may take a few sessions for you to complete a piece - unless you’re attending a shorter session designed to have your piece ready in one visit. Either way, once your work is complete, it will be left to dry thoroughly before being bisque fired and then you can glaze it ready for it’s final glaze firing
There are many ways to approach clay and glaze and your instructor will let you know all about their particular methods and how to approach things.
Once you’ve made one piece you’ll find it hard to walk away and might find yourself entering a life-long love affair with what is a wonderful art form.
FAQ about Pottery Classes
When it comes to beginning pottery, there are a lot of questions! It can be a complex subject to begin to learn about - especially when it comes to the science of ceramics. There is much to learn and this is why most people need the support of an experienced and trained professional to really get off on the right foot.
Most people certainly don’t begin their ceramics journey by installing their own kiln, wheel and shelves that’s for sure! By starting out with an established ceramicist, you’re putting yourself in the best position to learn effectively and safely.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about pottery classes and about learning the skills required to work with ceramics.
Can I fire clay in an oven? - The simple answer to this is no - you can’t. Clay requires an extremely high temperature to fire and no conventional oven burns hot enough.
Is it safe to eat and drink from my homemade ceramics? - Maybe. Some glazes are not food safe. If you’re planning on making mugs, plates and bowls to be used with food and drink, you should check with your teacher about this.
What is glaze? Ceramic glaze, or simply glaze, is a glassy coating on ceramics. It is used for decoration, to ensure the item is impermeable to liquids and to minimise surface pollutants. Glazing an object makes it impermeable to water and adds a decorative effect.
Can I hand-paint my work? Yes, this is called under-glazing and you can paint your own designs on your work with underglaze.
Start pottery classes today and boost your wellbeing
Did you know that working with clay has long been known to have a therapeutic, healing effect? The therapeutic powers of pottery are being recognised by mental health professionals across the globe - but how and why does it benefit people? One of the main benefits is that the effort-driven reward circuitry in our brains gets fired up when we use our hands and minds to engage in the creation of a piece of art.
Pottery is proven to boost mental health
This of course, makes us feel good in one of the most important ways - using our hands, touching raw clay, shaping it and moving it whilst planning our outcomes, engages body and brain together in harmony. This enables us to forget worries and stresses and to fully relax and genuinely “be in the moment”.
Another benefit of attending a pottery class in Adelaide, is of course the fact that you will meet new people. Spending time with others, whilst engaged in meaningful activities has been proven to be very effective in terms of our mental and physical wellbeing.
Stay in the loop with what’s on at Fleurieu Arthouse by checking our events and workshops page, following us on Instagram or Facebook. We are open 7 days a week between 11.00am and 4.00pm. Pop in, brows our retail space, enjoy a coffee, check out the artist’s studios and our exhbition space too! We’re in the grounds of beautiful Hardys Tintara at 202 Main Road, McLaren Vale.