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.

    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 Tuesday afternoon (2 - 5pm) and Wednesday morning with Caroline Aisher (10 - 1pm) and Jilly Russell teaches throwing on Thursdays (10am - 1pm and 2 - 5pm). Evening classes are available in the Summer term. Workshops and Masterclasses are generally at the weekends. Bespoke sessions are available by arrangement.

The studio is committed to the Green Maker Initiative and uses locally sourced stoneware clay for most classes. Coloured slips/underglazes, oxides and studio glazes are used in decoration 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 read the student handbook and adhere to safe practices.

N.B. At least 15 mins is reserved for cleaning up at the end of each session (longer is required for throwing classes).

For our Untutored Sessions, check out our Friday Morning Membership.

What to expect:

  • You don’t need to have touched clay before. You will be guided through the basic skills as you explore this timeless medium.

  • You’ll explore more in-depth making and ceramic design skills with your tutor whilst practising and finessing your own style.

  • You will be free to develop your own unique practice with support and tuition when required.

AUTUMN 2025 CLASSES

  • 7 Week Hand-building Class with Caroline Aisher 10 - 1pm Starts Wednesday 10th September (Not 1st Oct) £245

    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.

    BOOK

  • 8 Week Morning Throwing Class Starts Thurs 4th September 10 - 1pm £350 Email to pay in (2 x £175) instalments

    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 and lidded pots). 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.

    Four medium sized fired pieces included.

    BOOK

  • 8 Week Afternoon Throwing Class Starts Thurs 4th September 2 - 5pm £350 Email to pay in (2 x £175) instalments

    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 and lidded pots). 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 slip work.

    Four medium sized fired pieces included.

    BOOK