Much like the Great British Bake off and the Great British Sewing Bee, The Great Pottery Throwdown has been a wholesome piece of lockdown TV. Filmed in Middleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent, the series has brought so much warmth to our Sunday evenings: from the amazing sense of community amongst the contestants, to the pottery-passionate judges, Keith Brymer Jones and Rich Miller. In case you haven’t seen the programme, we would recommend catching up on the series via All4 to see how the Great Pottery Throwdown deserves to be ‘as big as the Bake Off’.

Were you intrigued by ‘Raku’, the Japanese pottery firing technique? Curious about what ‘throwing’ means? Interested in pottery and ceramics classes in your local area? Now that we have started opening our sites for more on site courses, read on to find out what pottery and ceramics classes we have on offer.

 

The health benefits to engaging with pottery and ceramics

Pottery can be a great way to relax due to its calming influence. Pottery and ceramics require such careful concentration and focus which in turn lowers stress levels and increases ‘feel good’ hormones.

This article by PTSD UK highlights how this form of art therapy has become effective to ease mental health symptoms, and in particular, how pottery has been helpful with the healing process within PTSD sufferers. If you haven’t already, have a read through our blog post on Why engaging in creative leisure courses can benefit your mental health and wellbeing.

 

What’s on offer?

Our pottery and ceramics classes are suitable for all levels. These are practical and workshop based with guidance and support from your tutor. Whether you’re after a day class or a series of evening sessions, we have courses that work around your life commitments in Oxford, Reading and Banbury.

We have a variety of classes that focus on different disciplines such as:

• Pottery for beginners: an introduction to the craft of pottery
• Wheel throwing: create a range of objects on a potter’s wheel
• Mixed ability workshops: suitable for all abilities and experiences
• Ceramics for sculpture: explore a range of techniques to create sculptures from ceramic materials
• Ceramics for young people: providing young people an introduction to pottery
• Raku pottery: explore the Japanese pottery firing technique
• Sculpting in clay: learn making and decorating techniques
• Introduction to Textured Glazes: an introduction to glazing pottery and ceramics
• Saturday workshops
• Intermediate and advanced classes: for those who have attended a pottery or ceramics classes before, wanting to develop on their skills

And many more! Browse through what we have on offer here.

What will I learn?

You will learn how to wedge and knead clay and learn the step-by-step process and how to throw a pot on a potter’s wheel. All classes are lead by a patient and friendly tutor, experts in their respective fields. If you haven’t already, read our blog post featuring Debbie Page’s work, one of our pottery and ceramics tutors here at Activate Learning.

• Depending on your level and what class you decide to take, you will learn fundamental techniques such as:
• Making methods: pinching, coiling, slabbing, press moulding, modelling/sculpting and wheel throwing
• Decorative materials: glazes, underglaze colours, metal oxides, coloured slips, relief built and incised surfaces (including sgraffito)
• Develop a feasible ceramic design of own choice or at the tutor’s suggestion
• Resolve any problems and be aware of areas for improvement
• How to apply health and safety guidelines in a ceramics studio

 

Do I need to have experience?

Some experience would be beneficial but not essential as you will be working at your own pace and level. For guidance on what you will need to bring and what to wear, please see the specific programme’s course description.

 

So why not sign up to a pottery and ceramics class? Or sign up to one of our creative leisure courses today! Whether for a social aspect or to invest in your health and wellbeing, we have plenty of options that suit you. Our facilities are equipped with the latest industry equipment across different locations. Browse through our creative leisure courses here.