West Dean students come back time and again to work with the tutors who are leading potters and ceramic artists. The College offers courses from throwing for beginners, to more advanced courses to build on the basic skills and learn how to coil, hand-build, sculpt and use glazes to complete more complex work. Be inspired by the award-winning gardens, the architecture and landscape and the interiors of West Dean. Many courses are suitable for all levels whether beginner or more advanced.
Work on your own potter's wheel and develop designs inspired by the ceramic collection at West Dean as you learn key techniques, including how to prepare and work with clay. Throwing and turning for beginners with Louisa Taylor (12 - 14 June Weekend £249).
Learn the traditional hand-building technique of coiling and experiment with intuitive ways of using surface colour taking inspiration from West Dean Gardens. Coiled and decorative vessels with Amy Jayne Hughes (NEW 17 - 19 July Weekend £236).
Cover basic hand-building practices and throwing on a potter's wheel using a range of Raku and stoneware clays. Develop your skills and ideas with one-to-one tuition and advice. Raku and firing techniques with Alison Sandeman (16 - 21 August £567).
Create a life-sized portrait head and aim to capture the sitter's essence Portrait heads in terracotta -a visual approach with Jon Edgar (4 - 7 September Long weekend £363).
Learn to create vivid and expressive animal forms using a range of pottery techniques with Jon Barrett-Danes. You will complete at least two animals, wall mounted heads or headed pots. Sculpting animals in clay (20 - 25 September £588).
Explore simple Japanese pottery techniques to make vases, bowls, mugs and plates. Techniques include wet slab making (Katatsukuri) and leather hard slab building (Itatsukuri). You will then learn brush drawing or printing techniques to decorate your posts. Exploring Japanese pottery (5 - 8 October £363 Beginners/Intermediate).
ACCOMMODATION AT WEST DEAN
Wake up to beautiful views over the Sussex Downs in the stately splendour of a country mansion. The bedrooms are a mixture of contemporary and traditional styling. Student rates from £55 Bed & Breakfast. Non students are also welcome to enjoy the experience of staying at West Dean with rates from £75.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For more information about Short Courses at West Dean and to browse the digital brochure visit www.westdean.org.uk. First time bookings receive a 10% discount (telephone bookings only call +44 (0)2143 818300). www.westdean.org.uk
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Notes to editors
For media accreditation or high-resolution digital images, please contact:
Irene Caswell, Senior Media Relations Officer +44 (0)1243 818301
West Dean College and Gardens, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 OQZ www.westdean.org.uk