Free Ceramics Course for Gateshead Residents 23/09/24 9:30am-4:30pm

With special thanks to funding from Gateshead Council’s Multiply Fund, we are delighted to bring you these brand-new, 10-week, free ceramics and textiles courses for Gateshead residents.

Our 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 this ceramics 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 pieces of work, whether that be beautifully decorated seasonal ceramic pieces, whether it be Halloween pumpkins, Christmas inspired figurines or birdhouses that can be placed in the garden, the choice is all yours. 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 be embedded with functional maths skills and you will explore shrinkage rates, angles, mitring, firing temperatures and much more. In addition, during the course you will gain a greater understanding of the skills needed to create, sell and manage your own creative wares by working with our tutors to develop your budgeting, costing and ordering skills, and you will explore money saving techniques through shopping on a budget and undertaking cost saving activities. 

Spanning 10 weeks and embedded with functional skills, these courses are a great way to develop your creative and functional maths skills, improve your communication, promote inclusivity and improve your wellbeing. Our team of friendly, expert tutors will work with you from the very beginning to identify your needs and they will tailor the course around your requirements to ensure you complete the course feeling confident and prepared for your creative journey.

The ceramics course will begin on Monday 23rd September 2024 from 9:30am-4:3pm and will run for 10 weeks. We will also provide you with a free lunch during each session.

Important information

These courses will take place at Teams Life Centre, Askew Road West, Gateshead, NE8 2PW.

Prior to the course we will contact you to carry out an enrolment for the course. This will take 30-45 minutes. You will also need to provide us with your National Insurance number to take part.

You can book your place on this fantastic course if you meet the following criteria –

1 – You must be aged 19+.

2 – You must live, work or volunteer in Gateshead to qualify for your place.

3 – You can be either employed or unemployed.

4 – You must not hold a Level 2 or higher classification in Maths.

5 – You must be able to attend the course each week.

6 – You can only book onto one course.