Classes
Home / Setting Up Your Ceramic Studio
Setting Up Your Ceramic Studio
Setting Up Your Ceramic Studio
Setting Up Your Ceramic Studio
Setting Up Your Ceramic Studio
Setting Up Your Ceramic Studio
by Slow Clay Centre
4.9 across all classes · 1,261 reviews

Ok, you’ve done some classes and you're on the way to making fabulous ceramics but you’re a bit frustrated because you need to learn how to fire your own work and some basics about what to think about when setting up your studio. Maybe you also need some structured guidance in the basics of how to decide what clay to use and what temperature to fire your kiln to? What are the considerations with basic glaze testing and what’s involved in packing your beautiful pieces into a kiln? What can possibly go wrong? Then there’s studio design and recycling considerations! So much to learn!

This weekend intensive course is especially formatted for Craft Contemporary 2022 and will cover many of these basics including health & safety considerations as well as essential environmental best-practice.  

Experienced ceramic artist Alana Casey (@usagiceramics) will help increase your confidence and understanding of how to approach getting started!   


Prerequisites: A passion for ceramics and learning! This course will suit people who have had some basic practical experience as a maker – some beginner’s classes at a minimum – and who wish to learn about becoming more independent as a maker. It will be equally suitable for people who have had more practical experience but want this extra valuable info. If you have a passion for ceramics and some basic practical experience as a maker this course is made for you to step up your practice!

When: Sat-Sun 8-9 October 9.30am-4.30pm

Where: Slow Clay Centre: 13 Keele St, Collingwood

Tutor: experienced teacher and ceramic artist Alana Casey @Usagiceramics. Alana is an experienced Slow Clay Centre teacher and has developed this course, especially for us. And she’s set up two studios in her 5-year career already! Her clear structure and guidance will help ease some of the difficult decisions you will need to make. 


Details

You will learn

  • Fundamental knowledge how to set up a ceramic studio
  • Health & Safety issues and best practice
  • Basic glaze testing guidelines & kiln firing

You will get

  • Important knowledge from an experienced teacher and ceramic artist

Appropriate for

Students with roughly a minimum one year of study and some specialist terminology use.


Preparation

What to bring

  • Notebook and pen

What to wear

Casual. Leave the heels at home!

Planning a Private Event?

From corporate team building to birthdays and hen's parties, Slow Clay Centre can tailor a private pottery classes experience for your group.


Your Teacher

Slow Clay Centre

Slow Clay Centre

1261 reviews

Escape to Slow Clay Centre and learn the art, craft and design of expression in clay. 

Slow Clay Centre is one of the most highly regarded specialist ceramics/pottery schools in Australia. We aim to give you THE BEST experience learning our ancient craft and our longevity stands for this with thousands of students who have learnt from us, many who have made it their life's passion and work! 

We welcome all levels from kids and beginners adults taster classes to advanced professional development and mentoring. 

Our unique "Slow Clay" (TM) method for teaching the pottery wheel, established by Slow Clay Centre director and ceramic artist Jane Sawyer, has been taught for more than thirty years. Based on the Japanese techniques Jane studied as a production thrower training in a busy Japanese studio, combined with western techniques the "Slow Clay" method offers a synthesis of East and West. It provides ergonomic best-practice and a solid foundation for personal expression and confidence with clay. 

All our courses offer a foundation of skill-based learning within a rich framework of contemporary art and design enquiry and material studies. Our ultimate aim is to help you achieve whatever your personal goals are with clay!

Based in a beautiful inner-city studio in Collingwood, Melbourne, Australia, the Slow Clay team consists of leading professional ceramic artists and experienced teachers who offer high-level teaching in a broad variety of topics - see our web site for teacher profiles. Together with guest professional artists who host workshops and forums, we are a vibrant community and wish to share our passion for clay with everyone who is keen, no matter what level.


5.0 (3 reviews)
Kylie
Oct 2022
The setting up your ceramic studio workshop was excellent! I learnt so much about all aspects of the 'back-end' of ceramics including recycling clay, firing kilns and glaze chemistry. Alana is extremely knowledgeable and generous tutor who shared lots about her personal practice. A really worthwhile workshop that I'd be happy to recommend to anyone interested in developing their ceramic practice beyond studio lessons.
Slow Clay Centre • Oct 2022

That’s so great to hear Kylie. Thanks for attending and best of luck with your future with clay!

Kelly
Oct 2022
Such a wonderful class - jam packed full of useful information from formulating glazes to the best studio layout. Now I have a wealth of information to take my pottery to the next level. Thanks so much!
Slow Clay Centre • Oct 2022

Fabulous to hear! Best wishes for your future with clay!

Kristy
Oct 2022
Rating Only

Terms

Cancellations & Refunds

If the organiser cancels the class:

You are entitled to a full refund.

If you can't attend the class:

You’re welcome to send someone in your place.

We recommend the refund upgrade option upon checkout in case you’re not able to attend the class. Learn more about refund upgrade option.

Terms & Conditions

Welcome to Slow Clay Centre!

These T&Cs override any others that may appear on older sites.  

General: These apply to all Slow Clay Centre courses, workshops and events:

  1. Deposit or full payment (depending on the course/workshop/event) must be made at the time of booking
  2. Your deposit is a commitment to attend, not just a holding fee, and it is non-refundable if you change your mind
  3. Please choose your class/course carefully. It is easy to make mistakes so please double-check your dates to avoid disappointment. 
  4. We occasionally need to cancel a class and if so we will always refund in full within 7 days. Due to our limited class sizes we do not offer refunds for any other reason 
  5. If you are unable to attend after booking you may transfer your booking to a friend for no charge or, provided we can fill your place, we can sometimes transfer you to another class or hold your payment in credit for up to 24 months for a future course. No guarantees though!
  6. There is a $25 fee for all transfers or credit note and you must pay any fee difference if the new course is a higher price
  7. Please note: All students will receive a reminder between three weeks and/or one week (depending on the course)  before the start date with a link to pay any remaining balance with your credit card. Students who paid the deposit online will have the balance automatically deducted. Others will need to click on the link provided or ring our office on 99437844.
  8. Due to our limited class sizes, if your balance is not received three weeks before the start date and you have not made arrangements with us, we reserve the right to find a replacement student and your deposit will be  forfeited


Weekly classes: These additional conditions apply to all Slow Clay Centre weekly classes:

  1. Please note that making ceramics, particularly on the pottery wheel,  can be a physically demanding activity. If you have any pre-existing illnesses and/or chronic injuries to your back, shoulders, hips, neck, wrists or elbows we strongly advise you to seek a medical opinion before enrolling as some activities might exacerbate past injuries and we take no responsibility if this occurs. 
  2. We ask that you fully disclose any prior and/or ongoing illnesses or injuries that could affect you before you enrol AND inform your teacher in person during the first class. 
  3. Your enrolment is conditional on your acceptance that Slow Clay Centre and/or the company's employees, whether casual, contract, or permanently employed, are indemnified against any exacerbation of any past or any new injuries that may arise as a result of your activites.
  4. All work made during classes is to be used for personal, non-commercial purposes. This is individually negotiable for advanced students or for studio exhibitions but we ask students to accept that our emphasis is strictly on education not studio production. If you sell your work made using our materials you must acknowledge Slow Clay Centre and also ensure and provide evidence of product liability insurance. 
  5. Teaching fees are fully inclusive of materials but students will incur a single firing fee based on the current cost (advised in your class) 
  6. Please note: we encourage judicious selection of your work to fire. Firing is always optional and all clay is recycled until the first firing. After that you must pay the firing fee for everything that gets fired. If it cracks, glaze drips, or you just don't like it, you are still required to pay the firing fee unless the fault is caused by us.
  7. Collection of fired pieces: Please understand that our storage capacity is extremely limited. Students will be notified via email when work is ready to be collected. Work will only be retained for two weeks following notification. 


Regarding Kids Clay Club: 

  1. We require all parents and carers to fill out an emergency contact form. 
  2. It is your responsibility to clearly report in writing on the form, any illness, allergies or disability that may affect your child's involvement in the Clay Club activities and follow up verbally with the teachers and/or office administrator.
  3. You will be required to sign-in and sign-out your children at each class.
  4. Please respect our teacher's time and be prompt to arrive and to collect your children (within 5 minutes of class time)
  5. Children are expected to be mature enough to follow instructions, to work in a group together, to respect everyone's needs and differences and to be polite to everyone.

Have more questions about this class?