CLASSES
Ceramics for All
Meet, make, learn and create!
WHY LEARN AT VESSEL CERAMICS?
Each course is led by talented and experienced teachers.
Class sizes are small to ensure individual attention.
We teach you the techniques but your makes are your own creations.
Very well resourced ceramics studio.
Beautiful light studio in the recently awarded Best Town in Devon to live in.
We have a great reputation for professionalism and our reviews are all five star.
Sustainability is at the heart of our practices.
Adult courses are open to anyone aged sixteen or over.
Courses cover:
Clay preparation and either throwing or handbuilding, a variety of
surface decoration techniques and glazing on longer courses.
We are currently open four days a week and offer evening classes too. All our courses and masterclasses are bookable online.
What’s Included?
All the materials and tools you need for your classes are provided.
We offer excellent quality clay, slips and glaze.
Tuition from talented and experienced teachers.
Small class sizes for individual attention.
Refreshments are always available.
Classes run on Wednesday mornings with Caroline Aisher (10 - 1pm) and Jilly Russell teaches throwing on Thursdays (10am - 1pm and 2 - 5pm). Evening classes are available in the summer and autumn term. Workshops and Masterclasses are generally at the weekends. Bespoke sessions are available on Tuesday afternoons, Fridays and Saturdays when the studio is free. Tuesdays and Fridays are membership days.
The studio is committed to the Green Maker Initiative and uses locally sourced stoneware clay for most classes. Decoration uses coloured slips/underglazes, oxides and studio glazes for class work. Specialist clays (e.g Ashraf Hanna) can be used for Raku courses in conjunction with Alison West and Abigail Higgins at Christow.
No glaze waste goes down the sink and we use a rigorous reclaim system for all our clay.
Health and Safety is a priority and all studio users will be expected to adhere to safe practices.
N.B. At least 15 mins is reserved for cleaning up at the end of each session.
What to expect:
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You don’t need to have touched clay before. You will be guided through the basic skills as you explore this timeless medium.
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You’ll explore more in-depth making and ceramic design skills with your tutor whilst practising and finessing your own style.
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You will be free to develop your own unique practice with support and tuition when required.
SPRING 2025 CLASSES
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6 Week Hand-building Class with Caroline Aisher Starts Wed 19th Feb 10 - 1pm TBC £210
These classes are suitable for all abilities and will include the basic processes involved in preparing, making and decorating in clay. Caroline will guide you through hand-building with slabs, coils or pinch pots. The wheel will not be available during this short course.
We will cover decoration, exploring textures impressed into the clay, slipware techniques and glazing.
Three medium sized fired pieces included.
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6 Week Morning Throwing Class Starts Thurs 27th Feb 10am - 1pm £270
This six week course is suitable for beginners and improvers. It will introduce you to all the core processes in preparing, making and decorating in clay. This will include clay prep, centring, throwing and turning.
We will cover surface decoration using slip & underglazes etc.
Three medium sized fired pieces included.
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6 Week Afternoon Throwing Class Starts Thurs 27th Feb 2 - 5pm £270
This six week class will allow you to develop the processes involved in throwing clay on the potter's wheel into further forms (bowls, tall and narrow & bottles). We will revisit clay preparation, centring, throwing & turning but focus more on refining techniques.
Altering & surface decoration may also be explored using inlay, mark-making, and slipwork.
Three medium sized fired pieces included.
SUMMER 2025 CLASSES
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6 Week Hand-building Evening Class with Caroline Aisher Starts Tues 22nd April (Not 20th or 27th May) 6 - 8:30 £210
These classes are suitable for all abilities and will include the basic processes involved in preparing, making and decorating in clay. Caroline will guide you through hand-building with slabs, coils or pinch pots. The wheel will not be available during this short course.
We will cover decoration, exploring textures impressed into the clay, slipware techniques and glazing.
Three medium sized fired pieces included.
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6 Week Hand-building Class with Caroline Aisher Starts Wed 23rd April (Not 21st or 28th May) 10 - 1pm £210
These classes are suitable for all abilities and will include the basic processes involved in preparing, making and decorating in clay. Caroline will guide you through hand-building with slabs, coils or pinch pots. The wheel will not be available during this short course.
We will cover decoration, exploring textures impressed into the clay, slipware techniques and glazing.
Three medium sized fired pieces included.
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12 Week Morning Throwing Class Starts Thurs 24th April (not 29th May) 10 - 1pm £510 Email to pay in (3 x £170) installments
This six week course is suitable for beginners and improvers. It will introduce you to all the core processes in preparing, making and decorating in clay. This will include clay prep, centring, throwing, turning, handles and glazing.
We will cover surface decoration using slip & underglazes etc.
Six medium sized fired pieces included.
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12 Week Afternoon Throwing Class Starts Thurs 24th April (Not 29th May) 2 - 5pm £510 Email to pay in (3 x £170) installments
This twelve week class will allow you to develop the processes involved in throwing clay on the potter's wheel into further forms (bowls, tall and narrow & bottles). We will revisit clay preparation, centring, throwing & turning but focus more on refining and finishing techniques.
Altering & surface decoration may also be explored using inlay, mark-making, and slipwork.
Six medium sized fired pieces included.
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7 Week Evening Throwing Class Starts Fri 9th May (not 30th May) 6 - 8:30pm £280 - Email to pay in (2 x £140) installments.
This seven week class is suitable for all abilities. It will give you an introduction or help you develop the processes involved in throwing clay on the potter's wheel. We will cover clay preparation, centring, throwing, turning & handles.
Decoration can include inlay, mark-making, altering and slipware techniques.
Three medium sized fired pieces included.