pottery classes in Melbourne
Play with clay at these hands-on classes.
Slow Clay Centre
Slow Clay Center offers classes and workshops for beginners to pottery experts in a beautiful Collingwood warehouse. The studio specialises in ergonomically sound Japanese techniques, which encourage students to work efficiently and with correct posture as they learn to work with clay. The practice can be so relaxing that students at Slow Clay sometimes call it ‘clay yoga’. Classes are run in terms, so you’ll need to register ahead. Keele St, Collingwood 3066. 03 9943 7844. www.slowclay.com. $470 for eight weeks.
Northcote Pottery Supplies
Northcote Pottery Supplies is the go-to spot for pottery pros to buy material like clay, glazes, and tools, but they also offer short courses and workshops (ranging from four to eight weeks) to bulk up your pottery skills from wheel throwing to glazing. After a few pieces for the house? Northcote Pottery Supplies’ retail space Smallpieces sells ceramics and artwork from local artists and the studio’s alumni. 144 Weston St, Brunswick East 3057. 03 9387 3911. www. northcotepotterysupplies.com.au. Mon-fri 9am-5pm; Sat 9am-4pm. $370 for six weeks.
School of Clay and Art (SOCA)
This Brunswick artist-run studio specialises in ceramics and visual arts. At their pottery short courses, students work the wheel and can also learn to create sculptural objects using hand-building techniques. The studio’s instructors are amazing artists whose work are often found in the city’s best craft shops, so you’ll be learning from the best. 28 Ovens St, Brunswick 3056. soca.com.au. $495 for eight weeks.
Carlton Arts Centre
Established in 1975, Carlton Arts Centre welcomes all skill levels to their studio, which is run more like a club. With classes in the morning and evening, experienced ceramists and new students work side by side with qualified instructors, so you can always learn a thing or two from your wheel neighbour. Nicholson St, Carlton 3053. 03 9347 3065. carltonartscentre.com.au. $90 enrolment deposit.
Mercator Ceramics School
All classes are designed for beginners, but if you want to graduate from making bowls to larger vessels, the instructors will happily give you a refresher before you tackle more complex projects. Places are limited to just nine people per class, so beginners will get lots of one-on-one tuition. ■ àstudio MG2, Mercator Building, Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford 3067. www.mercatorceramicsschool.com.au. $495 for eight weeks.