Throwing pots, refreshing your skills with Alison Sandeman

Pottery and ceramics

Ref: S1D11869

Intermediate £143
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About this course

An ideal opportunity to get back on the potter's wheel, into the clay to refresh your throwing skills. Please leave at least four weeks after your making course before you book a glazing day.

Course Description

This one day course provides the ideal opportunity to get back on the wheel, into the clay, and refresh your skills. You may have been on one of our beginners’ throwing days, or perhaps more recently not been able to access a wheel. Any issues you may have been experiencing with techniques will be covered with one-to-one help. The tutor will also demonstrate throughout the day, to assist your understanding of techniques.

The day begins with clay preparation, then a tutor demonstration on the wheel. For the rest of the day you will be throwing on an electric wheel, which you will have for your own exclusive use, with much one-to-one tuition and encouragement from the tutor. You will throw and wet trim approximately 8-10 pots using stoneware clays.

After the course the pots will need to be dried out, biscuit fired, glazed and then fired again. You can either enroll on a glazing day if you would like to glaze your own pots, or your pots can be glazed for you at the College. In both cases you will be contacted when your pots have been glazed and fired, and are ready for collection. Please leave at least four weeks after your making course before you book a glazing day.

Timetable

Timetable for one day courses

Students should arrive by 9am for registration.

Classes are from 9.15 - 5pm

Lunch is included.

Course Materials

Included

  • All the materials and tools will be supplied for the course including: all clay, glazing and firing costs.

What students need to bring

  • Work apron – preferably cotton
  • Recommended reading (though not essential): Throwing Pots by Phil Rogers (A & C Black)
Firing and Glazing options: 1. Leave any raw, finished pieces that you wish to keep, for biscuit firing, basic glazing and re-firing by the College, for collection within six months. 2. Leave raw, finished pieces for biscuit firing at the College. You can then book a place on a Glazing Day and glaze your own work (allowing 4 weeks for your work to be biscuit fired). This work will be re-fired after glazing and available for collection within six months. 3. Take away your unfired pots for firing and glazing elsewhere. Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no open-toes or sandals).

Tutors

Alison Sandeman

Alison Sandeman is a long-standing tutor at West Dean. She makes functional individual pieces in stoneware, porcelain and Raku. She has a special interest in outdoor firing techniques.

Courses of interest

Further study options

Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study. 

Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or a Diploma in Art and Contemporary Crafts (10 three-day study blocks, over two years). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.

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