What courses will run at CUP?

YES! Beginners, intermediate and advanced courses in hand building and throwing detailed below! To book courses please email info@cupceramics.com

Unless specified as included in the price of a course, the finished pots you create on our courses will have an additional fee of £6.50 per kilo (finished weight) to cover costs of labour, glazing and firing. Thank you.

TASTER SESSION @ CUP

This taster course is for individuals, couples, families and friends and is a fantastic opportunity to get your hands in some clay, as well as making something fun and useful.  Learn about pottery processes and techniques, and gain practical experience of working with clay. Anything made can be dried, fired and glazed for you to collect at a later date or you can return for a glazing class.

 You will hand build pots and take turns to use the potters wheels. Up to 12 people per session, aprons provided.  

At the end of the session you will select 3 of your best pots to be left at CUP for firing and glazing. Extra items may be fired and collected by you at a cost of £6.50 per kilo.

Upcoming courses:

Saturday July 6th 2019: 10am-12.30pm

Saturday September 1st 2019: 10am-12.30pm

Cost: £40

Courses will run if with a minimum of 3 participants.

One day course @ CUP

If you are new to clay this course will introduce you to making pots on a wheel - throwing, and hand-building pots . If you already have some experience this course will enable you to practice what you already know and extend your knowledge.

The day will consist of demonstrations of throwing on the wheel and hand building  techniques by Pat Thompson with plenty of time for practice and coaching throughout the day. Class size will be up to 12 people. 

There will be tea and coffee breaks with a delicious lunch provided. (Please inform us of any dietary requirements)

This course is really for anyone, those entirely new to throwing as well as those with experience. You can go along at your own pace once you've seen demonstrations. Everyone can have a go and achieve something they are proud of, whilst exploring a new and satisfying hobby and a known relaxant and stress-busting activity. 

At the end of the day you will select 4 of your best pots to be left at CUP for firing and glazing.  Extra items may be fired and collected at £6.50 per kilo.

Courses will run if with a minimum of 4 participants.

Upcoming courses:

Sunday June 9th 2019 10am -4pm

Sunday July 28th 2019 10am-4pm

Cost: £95

10 week ‘ceramics for all’ course:

We run a ‘ceramics for all’ course all year round which is designed to lead into studio membership. Our course leader and experienced ceramicist and educationalist Pat Thompson of 'All year round pottery' will handle the development of your skills and the conveying of our ethos with her very capable hands. This course is ideal for you if you are looking for an extensive introduction to throwing and hand building or just to refresh rusty skills.

This ten week beginner’s course will guide you through the basics of pottery techniques, using both hand-building and wheel-throwing.

At the beginning of each pottery lesson there is a demonstration of a technique to be used in the class. You will then be able to create your own unique piece using the technique you have been shown or work on your own project. Techniques include pinch pots, slab work, surface decoration & wheel work.

During the 10-week course we will progress through the following:

An introduction to the studio and equipment, looking at the clays and glazes used at CUP

An introduction to clay preparation: wedging and kneading as a preliminary to further clay work.

Wheel work demonstrations of basic centring techniques and practising these techniques demonstrations of thrown forms on the wheel: a cylinder, followed by individual practise a bowl, followed by individual practise a plate, followed by individual practise learning to trim and finish a pot, learning to pull and apply handles of different shapes and types pulling a pouring spout on jugs

Hand building demonstrations of pinch pots and practising these techniques demonstrations of coil pots and practising these techniques demonstrations of slab-rolling and practising these techniques

Surface decoration

There are many different ways to decorate your pots both before and after bisque firing. We will explore many of these, and you will have ample opportunity to practise on your own pots.

The groups are small, friendly & informal, with a maximum of seven students per class so that we can provide you with ample support & encouragement.

In the last two sessions of the course there will be an opportunity to explore the CUP glazes and learn basics in applying glaze to a selection of your bisque-fired pots. There will be a charge of £6.50 per kilo for all finished pottery. The whole process from making to finished work ready for you to take home takes several weeks.

All equipment, tools & storage space will be provided. Please bring your own apron, towel, notebook and pen.

Classes will be 2 ½ hours, allowing 2 hours work, 15 min break, and 15 min clear-up.

Upcoming courses:

Thursday September 19th 2019 6.30-9pm

Monday October 7th 2019 6.30-9pm

Cost: £200

plus £6.50 per kilo for materials/firing costs for finished ITEMS.

Courses will run with a minimum of 6 participants.

If you can’t commit to a 10 week course, why not try our One week Intensive course?

This condenses all of the content of a 10 week course into 6 days!

Upcoming courses:

Monday August 5th-Friday August 9th 10am -4pm Plus Sunday 25th August 10am -12.30pm to return to glaze your pots after they have been bisque fired.

Hand-building SESSIONS

A new offering at CUP: a series of 2 week classes specialising in hand-building!

If throwing isn’t your thing or you would like to turn your hand to something new, this may well be for you. Each 2 week session will be dedicated to supporting you to build and decorate an item of beauty and utility. You can choose from our examples of hanging plant pots, large coil pots, sculptural pot or mugs and tea pots OR come with an idea of your own. Our course leader, Pat will guide you through your making process whilst you enjoy working with our excellent range of facilities in our beautiful studio space.

There will be a charge of £6.50 per kilo for all glazed and fired items.

The upcoming sessions will run:

Thurs May 2nd & 9th 7 - 9pm

Monday May 13th & 20th 12.30 - 2.30pm

Thurs June 6th & 13th 7 - 9pm

Prices:

2 week session - £50

All 6 sessions - £120

Or if you are committing to all 6 sessions, we are offering studio membership for this 6 weeks including your own shelf and up to 2 hours a week studio time for just £160. This will give you a real insight into what being a member of lovely studio community is like.

“Take your throwing to the next level” with Max Balme @ CUP

If you’re looking to develop your throwing skills or if you fancy just having a go, Max can guide you with his expert skills and coaching.

Max Balme Throwing skills and Development

Max Balme is running a 6 week throwing development course beginning Wednesday 10th April 6-8pm aimed at supporting you to create saleable items and develop a proficiency level that leads to Cup Ceramics studio membership. This will cost £150 for the 6 sessions + studio membership (storage shelf, up to 4 hrs a studio time to practice your new skills and kiln firing). Perfect for enthusiastic potters looking for a bridge to take the next step into membership.  

Master classes: CUP aims to run regular masterclasses in throwing, hand-building, glazing and firing as well as hosting guest speakers from expert artists from all over the UK. Discounts for all master classes educational events will apply to contracted members. Contact us for details: info@cupceramics.com