hands on pottery
Hands On Pottery is a small ceramics school based near the centre of Nottingham.
The building is light and airy offering Wheelchair access to all three work
studios. We have been working with people since 1990 and we encourage everyone
to reach their own individual aims and objectives. Confidence is enhanced by our
high standards of teaching and working in a comfortable friendly environment.
The pottery is all wheel chair friendly with adjustable tables and a loop fitted
in the main workshop. As the pottery is all on the ground floor it is easily
accessible for all. When working at the pottery you will be encouraged to work
individually, on your own chosen designs, which will be finished to a very high
standard. The teachers working at the pottery are proud of our reputation, as
many students have discovered their creative ability with us through the art of
clay. Many students who have never worked with clay before have gained
qualifications or found a new creative skill they enjoy. We believe that clay is
a wonderful medium to work with and that clay brings out the best in people. The
most satisfactory way we can describe our findings is: "It's not what people do
to clay, it's what clay does to people" Hands On Pottery offers classes to
everybody. We are prepared for you to come to us at the pottery, or for us to
come to you in a place of your choice. You can also decide the length of time
you would like the class to run for, how many people will be in the group and
starting and finishing times. Our work: Schools where we offer Classes to learn
the skill of pottery and also to help obtain certain art based Qualifications
within the school. We work with people with physical and learning disabilities
in schools, centres, nursing homes or at the pottery. Nursery schools and play
groups. Hospitals Fun days, play days, festervals and open days. Scout and guide
groups and individuals working towards their badges. Birthday parties for
children are very popular and can be either paint a pot or making and painting
your own work. Parties for adults are also recommended for birthdays, stag and
hen groups and other celebrations that you may like something to remember.
Corporate events – we work with different companies on team building sessions,
which are customised for your group’s individual requirements. We work with
young people who are unable to attend school, with children and young people who
are being home schooled and with children and young people from different
cultural backgrounds. Our Workshops Our workshops are equipped with specialist
tools, equipment and materials. We also have a variety of different wheels for
throwing, kilns, a choice of different clays and lots of glazes to choose from.
We fire our kilns to earthenware and stoneware temperatures, which is useful for
both decorative and functional wares. The Teachers The teachers are all
practising potters, ceramisists or artists who have professional teaching
qualifications. We all offer one to one support to enable everyone to benefit as
much as possible during the time you spend with us. What you will learn How to
prepare your clay for use All the hand building techniques – coiling, slabbing
and pinching How to use the potters wheel Sculpture and modelling techniques
Using a mould to create a piece of work Different use of clays and how to fire
them How to decorate your work How to glaze bisc fired work The technique of
burnishing How to create an incised decoration using coloured slips
