Introduction to Pottery: Make a breakfast set

Mondays, 6.30pm-9pm

At the end of this introduction to pottery you will have created a mug, bowl, lidded pot and jug for your very own breakfast set! This course is ideal if you are a complete beginner or if you wish to get back to fundamentals.  You will be guided in the making of items in a breakfast set each using different making and decorating processes. The introduction includes one session on wheel throwing.

Each week will be a playful exploration of clay and its physical properties. Learn how the ceramic studio works, feel comfortable in the environment and how to look after clay. On the last week you can get messy and have a fun try-out at throwing (no work will be kept from this session, it is about the process).

PLEASE NOTE:  The work you make requires 2 firings. Work has to dry out before firing, creating a natural delay before work is finished. From Week 2 each session may include applying glaze – depending on whether the piece is ready or not.

What to Bring

We provide all tools and glazes. Firing costs are included in the course costs but clay is purchased through the centre via card payments based on use (approx. £6 per ¼ bag). There will be some reclaimed clay to use for no cost, just ask your tutor about this material.

About the Tutor

Sean Kingsley runs Butter Wynd Pottery with contributions from Christine and daughter Erin, with some clay digging muscle from son Lewis. Sean started working with clay at Edinburgh College of Art and went on to work for spells at Purcells Cove Pottery in Nova Scotia and the Banff Centre in the Rockies. Running studios as Sean Kingsley Ceramics at Royal Park Ceramics and El Paso, Morningside in Edinburgh preceded working in the Department of Ceramics at the University of Dundee. He established the current DJCAD Clay facility, and supported students and research staff in their clay endeavours.

Butter Wynd Pottery was established in October 2009, with the first local clay dig. The resulting pots show the influence of folk history and traditional craft. In the mix and less obvious are interwoven thoughts on contemporary domestic needs, environment, material provenance, digital technologies and well being.