Pottery Classes
Clay Half Pottery Studio
55 Murray Street, Montrose, DD10 8JZ
I have been teaching beginners and intermediate ceramics since January 2016 at Springfield Creative Arts in Arbroath. I really enjoy teaching these classes, seeing the progress students make and the enjoyment and mindfulness people gain from working with clay. After 6 years of teaching at SCA I moved to my own studio space in my home town Montrose and opened the Clay Half.
Classes will be updated regularly throughout the year so please check the booking website regularly for updates. If you can't find the class that suits you then please get in touch and let me know what you are looking for.
Details of pottery classes available at the Clay Half are listed below and can be booked via this link
https://bookwhen.com/clayhalf most classes will be made up of a maximum of 6 people unless stated.
We have been using Clay Half Paper and Digital Gift Vouchers for some time now if you still have an Irene Hughes Pottery gift voucher for use at the Clay Half for a class and you would like to redeem against a class booking but don't have a booking code, please contact me directly with a photo of the voucher so that i can issue you with an online booking code. irenehughespottery@gmail.com
pottery classes at the clay half
Some of the classes available...
Beginners - 4 week block Hand-building
These classes cover all the basics of hand building ceramics including coil and pinch pots in week 1, slab building in week 2 and allowing for a wee bit of a wheel experience in week 3 with the final week set aside for glazing your fired work. The cost includes 4 x 2.5 hour classes, all materials, firing and glazing.
After Beginners stage - intermediate level
Having completed the beginners block of classes or had equivalent previous experience, the intermediate level classes will provide you with the time to develop those basic skills and add to them with new techniques. I recommend booking at least 3 classes to allow you to make The cost includes all materials, firing and glazing.
Wheel throwing - taster sessions / 4 weeks
If you are keen to focus solely on your wheel throwing skills I have two standard Shimpo wheels and a table top Shimp which are all good smooth running machines. I can offer one to one classes at £50/hour, or two to one classes at £30 per person per hour. The cost includes tuition, and the firing of up to 2 pieces of finished work per person. Transparant glazing costs are included, if you want to come back and glaze any work yourself this can be done at a separate class. Please contact me directly to schedule private sessions and check the schedule for any planned throwing classes.
Adult & Kids Classes - monthly
Making with clay is a great creative activity to get into at an early age and we'd love you to have a go here at the Clay Half. With monthly classes, whilst we get the necessary PVG authorisation in place, the kids classes are for children with an accompanying adult (over 18) for £30, the adults get to make too! The class is focused on making a specific project (variable throughout the year) and includes the initial bisque firing. Fired work can then be collected and painted at home or brought back to a glazing class to finish at a later date.
Taster Workshops -
A one-off taster class is a good way to have a go at pottery. These classes will focus on a specific project such as making an oil/candle burner, dip bowls and plate, mug, pet bowl, vase, tiles/coasters and will be scheduled throughout the year. The cost of the class includes all materials and the first bisc firing but does not include glazing, this can be done at a follow-up class, see below.
Private Classes
If you are looking for a private class for 1 or a team building or small party night or anything in between, these are also welcome and can be arranged to suit so please get in touch if you have something in mind.
Glazing your pottery -
If you have been to a class and have work to glaze there will be glazing classes scheduled regularly. You can bring your bisc fired work to these classes and use the underglazes and glazes at the Clay Half to decorate your pottery. The cost of the class includes the glaze and a glaze firing. If you cannot manage to return to glaze your work yourself, where possible I will glaze the finished work for you at a cost of £5-£10 per item depending on the size and complexity.
The cost includes tuition, and the firing of up to 2 pieces of finished work per person. Transparant glazing costs are included for standard items, if you want to come back and glaze any work yourself this can be done at a separate class. Please contact me directly to schedule private sessions and check the schedule for any planned throwing classes.
Renting the Clay Half
If you're interested in using the Clay Half for your own art/craft classes please contact me with some outline of what you're looking for. There are seats for up to 10 people although with art and crafting materials 6 may be a more realistic number. The Clay Half can be rented for your own classes at a rate of £10/hour for a one off booking, with a reduction on hourly rate negotiable depending on frequency of bookings. A 50% deposit is required on booking.
Cancellation Policy
Up to 14 days before the booking 100% refund (less £5 admin fee)
14 to 7 days before booking 50% refund (less £5 admin fee)
Less than 7 days before booking 0% refund
If you want to transfer the class to another date this is possible but subject to your booked space being filled.
Please contact me in any event that you are unable to attend.
other classes
at the clay half...
For details of other classes at the Clay Half please look online at the booking page https://bookwhen.com/clayhalf to date there have been painting and drawing, jewellery making, and wreath making classes. There are plans for printmaking classes and some advanced ceramics classes as well as more classes aimed at kids and teens.
other pottery classes nearby...
If a weekend course or the Arbroath location suits you better, Fran Marquis runs excellent weekend and 5 day throwing classes at Springfield Creative Arts which is an amazing pottery space. You can find more details here: Springfield Creative Arts website or facebook page for the latest dates or contact Fran Marquis at info@franmarquis.com