Pottery Classes

I offer adult pottery classes at my pottery studio in Benoni, on the East Rand of Johannesburg.

Classes are three hours long and held Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday morning between 9 am and noon and Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 pm. 

Classes start middle of January and continue until the middle of December.

Pricing is based on four classes per month. As there are months with five Wednesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays these additional lessons, during the course of the year, go towards the two lessons in December to make up a full month of classes. The studio is closed from the middle to the end of December for a good Spring clean.

In the studio students are provided with earthenware and stoneware clay, a variety of tools, oxides and glazes. There’s also a selection of aprons to wear, but most students prefer to bring their own aprons - although these can be very handy when students forget to bring their aprons with them. I have four kilns for firing and a spray gun for glaze application. Firing is included in the monthly fees. 

I have various moulds for handwork and devices to imprint texture onto clay. I have a library of books if students are looking for inspiration; although a number of students prefer to utilise Pinterest.

I offer lessons in handwork as well as wheelwork and there’s space in the studio for both. If someone is a beginner, they usually start with handwork to literally get a feel for the clay and the different types of clay. I personally do both handwork and wheelwork, so I am comfortable and enjoy both forms.

As a veteran ceramicist I meet students at their level of experience and expertise and my students are made up of complete beginners to award winning students who have their own home studios.

Usually, about midway through a lesson, we take a short break for refreshments and snacks. I provide the tea and coffee and students take turn to bring snacks. This is also a great time to get to know your fellow potters.

We have an exhibition of the students' work during the course of the year.

I usually give the students a theme at the start of every year to inspire them and give them something to work towards for the exhibition. Exhibitions are also a social event for students from different classes to meet and mingle and to bring their partners, friends or family into the studio space.

In this digital world many people can spend all day working on something with nothing physical to show for it. Pottery rewards you with a form for your efforts. Whether you’re doing handwork or wheelwork, with clay you are always engaging with texture. Clay is an organic earthy mix that reminds us of our true nature. Students often find the work meditative and the environment therapeutic.

Whether you are looking to create unique decorations for your home and garden, gifts for family and friends or sculptural works of art; pottery is the answer.