Hand-building Ceramics | Open Studio for Beginners and Beyond with Kara Pryor

Discover the joy of ceramics in this 6-week course, perfect for both beginners and those with experience. Whether you're eager to start a new hobby or looking to refine your skills, Kara Pryor, an award-winning ceramicist celebrated for her whimsical hand-built animals and teapots, will be your guide.

Beginners will receive step-by-step instruction, with each week introducing a new project and technique. If you're already familiar with the basics, feel free to bring your own projects, with Kara on hand to offer expert advice and assistance.

Throughout the course, you'll explore a variety of hand-building techniques, including pinch, slab, and coil methods, along with creative surface decoration practices like sgraffito, carving, tissue transfers, and stamp making. Kara will also introduce you to the art of making functional and decorative ceramics using only your hands, simple tools, and your imagination—no pottery wheel required.

Kara will share her extensive knowledge of surface treatments, demonstrating techniques with her own selection of tools. By the end of the course, you’ll have a solid foundation in ceramic hand-building and surface decoration, and the confidence to choose the tools that best suit your style.

Join us and unleash your creativity in a welcoming and supportive environment, where the possibilities of clay are endless!

What to expect

• learn fundamental skills in hand-building ceramics
• make functional wares as well as sculptural pieces
• learn about slab, coil and molded ceramics
• discover surface decoration techniques

Is this course right for me?

This class is suitable for anyone from absolute beginners to more experienced students who would like to learn creative approaches to ceramics. You are encouraged to develop your own projects to work on as you build your skills

Materials

Included in the course fee is half a bag (5kg) of Keanes earthenware clay, a limited colour range of underglazes for use, and firing of your work. Additional clay can be purchased from Art Est as needed.  

If you wish to use speciality glazes or other colours, or decorative items, your tutor will recommend what to buy once the course is underway.

Some tools which are good to have are -

• an apron
• hand towel
• plastic bags to cover your projects as they dry (drycleaning bags are best)
• a small round sponge
• a metal needle tool
• a fettling knife
• a large(ish) plastic storage container with a lid to store clay
• your sense of fun and creativity!

Will my vessels be fired?

Standard pieces made as part of your course program will be fired as part of your course fee. Larger or extra pieces made in class will be fired at $7/kg. Works made outside of Art Est. studios are not able to be fired in our kiln.

About studio classes

Our class sizes are small, ensuring you receive the individual tuition you need. We have a maximum of 12 students per class.

Unless otherwise noted, prices *exclude* art materials. Click here to see a list of local art supply retailers.

To learn about our studios, amenites and how to get there, click here.

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