Welcome to the wonderful world of pottery! At The Northern Pottery, we believe learning ceramics is about more than making objects. It's about discovering creativity, developing new skills, and finding your own creative rhythm within our friendly clay community.
Our Pottery for Beginners course combines both pottery wheel and handbuilding techniques, giving you the opportunity to explore two of the most popular approaches to working with clay. Whether you are unsure which style suits you best or simply want to experience a little of everything, this course offers the perfect introduction to ceramics.
What You’ll Learn
In this 8-week course, you’ll be guided through:
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Preparing and centring clay on the pottery wheel.
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Throwing simple wheel forms such as bowls and cylinders.
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Exploring handbuilding techniques including pinch, coil, and slab construction.
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Refining and finishing your work through trimming and surface decoration.
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Experimenting with texture, stamps, and decorative techniques.
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Glazing your finished pieces to bring them to life.
By the end of the term, you'll have created a collection of both wheel-thrown and handbuilt pieces, while gaining a strong foundation in the core skills of ceramics.
What’s Included
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8 x 2-hour classes in our fully equipped studio.
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All materials, including clay, tools, and glazes.
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Kiln firings for up to 8 completed pieces.
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Personalised instruction in small class sizes.
Please visit these pages if you are interested in our regular full 8 week course in Pottery Wheel or Handbuilding.
Alternatives and Progression
If our beginner classes are fully booked, consider joining one of our Weekend Intensives. These sessions condense the full 8-week curriculum into two immersive days, perfect for those with busy schedules.
Already completed two or more beginner courses with us or elsewhere? You might be ready to progress to our Intermediate-Advanced Wheel Courses, where you’ll refine your skills and tackle more challenging forms. As a returning student, you’ll also enjoy priority booking for future terms.
Studio Policies
To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone:
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Missed Classes: Make-up sessions are generally not available, but we offer studio access (Pottery FreeStyler) to catch up on practice.
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Refunds and Transfers: Bookings are final. Refunds are only offered if the course is cancelled by us. Transfers may be arranged with advance notice and a $25 administration fee.
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Materials Use: Each student is allocated a fixed amount of clay and firings for up to 8 small pieces. Additional clay or firings can be purchased.
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Age Limit: Participants must be 16 years or older.
Class Details
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Duration: 8 weeks
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Class Times: Multiple options available - check out our times below.
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Cost is listed below in the Booking section and includes all materials and firing.
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Classes do not run on public holidays. The term will be extended to accommodate any missed sessions.
What to bring
Just bring your enthusiasm! Wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting a little messy and bring a small towel. Feel free to bring an apron if you'd like. It's also a good idea to make sure you don't have long nails - they can make the pottery wheel so much trickier to succeed at!
Join Us Today!
Pottery isn’t just a skill – it’s a creative journey. Whether you’re looking to explore a new hobby or rediscover your creative side, our Pottery Wheel for Beginners Courses are the perfect place to start. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today!
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