Pottery Workshops
Pottery workshops & Courses
- 8-week Pottery Workshop (2hours x 8weeks with multiple slots)
- 8-week Sculpture Workshop (2hours x 8weeks on Friday evenings)
- 1-full-day Workshop (Non-regular event on Sundays, 10:00-16:00)
- Raku Pottery Firing Workshop
Other Services
- Private Lessons (Solo or Group session)
- Hourly Studio Hire (Self Guided)
8-week Exploring Ceramics
This 8-week course is ideal for beginners of all ages while also catering to more experienced potters.
Some participants come for the social connection, while others fully immerse themselves in the creative process. Join us in whatever way suits you best!
Choose your preferred start day and time, and your workshop will run at the same time each week for 8 weeks. Each slot is taught by a different teacher—learn more about them here! The cost is £200 for your first course and £160 for subsequent courses, plus a fee for any pieces you choose to have fired, calculated by weight.
During this course, you will learn:
- How to throw pots on the pottery wheel
- How to hand-build pots using clay slabs and coils
- Some decorating techniques and glazing
- For those interested in sculpture techniques, the classes run by Joe, Bob or Helen are most suitable
At the end of the course, you will have your own finished pottery pieces to take home.
8-week Sculpture Course
In this 8-week Sculpture course (2 hours per class) held on Fridays, we use pottery clay to create a variety of sculptures. Our popular Animal Sculpture course has received great feedback, with many participants taking home a “forever” animal friend at the end of the course!
1-full-day Raku Pottery Workshop
What is Raku Pottery?
Raku pottery is a Japanese firing technique that produces unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. Traditional Japanese raku, developed for the tea ceremony, is simple and earthy, while Western raku uses smoke and combustibles to create bold crackles, metallic lusters, and dramatic patterns.
At The Shire Workshops, we will provide opportunities for you to try the following three types of glazing and firing experience. This is usually held on Sundays (Non-regular event), runs from 10:00~16:00.
- Glazed Raku
- Saggar Firing
- Naked Raku
*This course doesn’t include clay time. You may attend 8-week pottery course, book for private tuition to create your own pots and plates, or buy premade 3 pieces of blank on the day.
Find out when our next Raku workshop days are planned and book!
Hourly Studio Hire
At the Shire Workshops, you may hire the studio space by hourly rate basis. This is suitable for those who already have basic pottery & sculpting skills and doesn’t require the hands on lesson. It’s also ideal for those who want to practice the new skills they have been learning in the classes. Use the studio as if it were your own!
You can book:
- Workbench time to perfect your hand building techniques or work with glazes and surface decoration
- Pottery wheel time to practice your throwing and turning skills
- Spending more time on your project outside of the workshop or course hours.
Time Table
Sculpture Workshops
We offer an 8-week Sculpture Workshops using pottery clay, as well as a 1-day workshop for creating all-weather sculptures with a medium called Pal Tiya Premium.
Student Gallery
Have a look at some of our students’ recent work and get inspired to create your own!
Refund Policy
If you need to cancel a booking we provide a full refund with 30 days’ notice before the event. If less than 30 days, we can provide a refund only if we can find a replacement for your place. If we can’t find a replacement to offer you a refund, we will keep your details and offer you a place on another course/day if it doesn’t fill up within 2 days of the start date. Or, we can give you the amount as a credit/voucher to be used as un-tutored workshop time.
Catchup sessions
The catch-up service is provided as a time-limited gesture of goodwill, subject to availability.
For the 8-week Exploring Ceramics classes, we offer catch-up sessions if you are not able to attend any of your classes. You can use catch-up sessions during the period of your 8-week course through prior arrangements, by booking to join another class where there are absentees. If you still have catch-up sessions outstanding at the end of your 8-week course, you will have a further 8 weeks to use any missed sessions.
If you can only catch up when no classes are running, please be aware that any help will be limited, as staff will be engaged in the necessary day-to-day tasks needed to run the studio.
* For full Price List, please see here.
* For Terms and Conditions; including payments, refunds, catch-up sessions, use of the studio, and health and safety, please see here.