Free Ceramics Course 10/04/24 9:30am-4pm

Our beginner’s ceramics course is what we are best known for here at Minerva Arts & Wellbeing – combining friendly, expert tutors with practical activities getting you hands-on with specialist clay, glazes, tools and techniques. During the course you will discover how to apply a range of ceramic sculpting, joining and building techniques to create a variety of unique artworks you can take home with you at the end of the course and be proud of. You’ll start by learning rolling, cutting and mark-making, creating your very own bespoke ceramic tiles and coasters. Then you will try your hand at clay pinching techniques, sculpting a trinket bowl or a pot for a living succulent. You’ll learn how to create a forma, creating an inspired sculpture using sculpting techniques. Next you will get the chance to make a 2D slab-rolled decoration, such as a door number plaque. We will then build on your newly acquired knowledge by helping you to create a 3D slab-rolled item, such as a decorated plant pot or your very own handmade mug. There will also be scope on the course for you to apply a number of the techniques you have developed to create your own inspired piece of work. The course also includes basic glazing techniques, giving you the chance to finish your work before our expert tutors fire it in our specialist ceramic kilns ready for you to collect at the end of the course. Throughout the sessions you will learn some of the science behind working with clay, as well as specialist terms and the basics of how a kiln works.

This course will take place at The Venue in Stanley. The course will start on Wednesday 10th April and will run on Wednesday 17th, 24th April and on Wednesday 1st May. Each session starts at 9:30am and finishes at 4pm. 

Entry requirements for our courses are as follows –

You must live in County Durham (Durham County Council as your local authority).

You must be aged 19+.

You can be unemployed, working or retired to take part in our courses.

You must have the right to reside in the UK.

You can only book onto one course per person.