Central Coast Potters Society
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Lynn Treers, 2016. Photo: Chris Allen
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Joy Nagy, Sculptural Bowl, 2018. Photo: Kylie Rose McLean
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Geoff Hawkins, Vase Seed Pod1, 2018. Photo: Kylie Rose McLean

COURSES IN CLAY AT CCPS

CCPS runs courses for children, as well as adult courses in hand building, wheel forming and sculpture. See below for our new Term 3 2019 timetable.
CCPS courses in clay are extremely popular and book out very quickly.
Course sizes are limited to 10 or 12 students (adults) and 12 students (children).
Inclusion in a course is dependent upon receipt of payment in full.

Do you have an idea for a course?
Don't hesitate to call us should you have a particular skill or area of working with clay that you would like to explore. We are open to new ideas. There is always potential for new courses and specialist workshops.

Contact the Education Manager for all class enquires.

2019 TERM DATES

Courses run for 8 weeks within school terms - see dates below (with one exception)
                   Week commencing Monday
TERM 3  -  22 July to 09 September 2019
TERM 4  -  14 October to 02 December 2019

2019 COURSE FEES


ADULT COURSES
$280 for an 8 week (20 hours) term, inclusive of clay and firing​
CHILDREN COURSE  (See Courses Term 3 CHILDREN)
$180 for an 8 week (12 hours) term, inclusive of clay and firing
A Sibling Discount of $12 is offered to families with more than one child in a course. Please choose this option when making payment through Eventbrite.
Additional child in the same family: $168 for an 8 week term, inclusive of clay and firing.

CLICK HERE FOR CHILDREN COURSES


2019 TERM 3 TIMETABLE

Check the timetable below for your preferred course option and read the following teacher/course information for details.

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ADULT COURSES

Hand building, wheel forming, figurative sculpture, garden sculpture.
Whether you have little or no experience, or extensive knowledge in clay, based on your needs, vision and interests you will improve your skills; building your knowledge and understanding of manipulating clay.

If you wish to join a course after the start date, and one that is not fully booked, please contact the Education Manager.

Wheel Forming

Lynn Treers           FULLY BOOKED
​Tuesday - 6:30pm to 9:00pm - $280

Lynn Treers, Dish, 2018. Photography: Janeane Moore
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​Making things from clay has been an abiding interest of mine from childhood.

My formal pottery classes began in 1968 at the NSW Potters Society headquarters in Woolloomooloo, which I continued at TAFE after relocating to Inverell in 1980. Following these classes, I accepted the invitation to teach pottery to children and adult beginners. I relished the visits from the Queensland Flying Art School tutors who held workshops, introducing new and exciting aspects of working with clay for isolated country potters.

I came to live in Gosford in 1982 and joined the Central Coast Potters Society (CCPS) in 1983. Since then I have been heavily involved with CCPS, including being a pottery teacher to adults as well as children. In 2008 I was awarded a Life Membership for my consistent contribution.
There are many workshops and courses which I have attended since 1983, expanding my knowledge and proficiency in clay. Of particular note was a five-day workshop with Greg Daly, Japanese tea bowl making with Paul Davis and throwing with Cameron Williams. I continue to participate in many interesting and challenging ceramic workshops to broaden my skills, including Hornsby TAFE where I completed a number of qualifications.

​As CCPS Exhibition Manager, I love being involved in the creation and organisation of our exhibitions in which I regularly exhibit. Over the years, I have been awarded prizes and commendations for my ceramics, some of which are on display in the CCPS studio.
​Wheel Forming - Beginners
Tuesday - 6:30pm to 9:00pm
In this course students will gain experience in wedging clay, centring clay on the wheel and throwing simple forms. Each student will have the opportunity to complete a mug and a small jug with a handle, a cereal bowl and a small 'sugar bowl' with a simple lid. Additional skills will be incorporated into the course, such as weighing clay, measuring and making a lid for a pot 'off the hump', trimming forms and bases, altering a rim to form a functional spout, pulling a handle, throwing and or adding a knob to a lid.

Students will be encouraged to repeat shapes, cut them up and review outcomes, thereby gaining the skills to throw pots independently and confidently, taking into consideration shape and proportion. Each student's best pieces will be selected each week for firing. Basic glazing and firing will be discussed, along with the use of slips, underglazes, decals, surface treatment and pot alteration.

Students of differing levels of expertise will be accommodated within this class, making their term of using clay an enjoyable experience.This course accommodates differing levels of expertise within a relaxed learning environment, where all students have an enjoyable experience using clay.
On completing this course, students will have developed skills in:
  • wedging clay;
  • centring clay on the wheel;
  • throwing simple forms - a mug, small jug with a handle, a bowl and a sugar bowl with a lid;
  • measuring for and making a lid;
  • trimming and turning thrown pieces;
  • judging shape and proportion of their thrown pieces;
  • a range of additional skills according to each student’s ability and progression;
  • surface treatment including glazing;
  • basic kiln & firing knowledge.
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Course starts Tuesday 23 July to 10 September - 8 weeks

​Wheel Forming Cylinders - Beginners 3 courses available

Kylie Rose McLean

Wednesday - 10:30am to 1:00pm - $280

FULLY BOOKED
Student work - glaze firing T2 2019
Photo: Kylie Rose McLean
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Creating with clay is my passion, particularly with layered surfaces, and raw and atmospheric firings. My hand built, mound-shaped forms are the perfect canvas for experimentation.

I have been a teacher for almost 20 years, previously in event design and currently as a high school teacher. My studies include Hornsby TAFE where I graduated with an Advanced Diploma in 2014. I have participated in many group and solo exhibitions and been fortunate to win a number of awards.

Teaching ceramics is a delight, and learning with my students is a pleasure.
​Wheel Forming Cylinders - Beginners
Wednesday 10:30 - 12:00 - 20 hours
Intrigued about the pottery wheel? Want to give it a try? All wheel thrown items start life as a cylinder. Mastering this form provides you with a solid base to expand your skills.

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The primary focus of these courses is learning the basics of wheel forming. Students will repeatedly throw cylinders, cutting them and reviewing the outcomes to develop their skills. Those with previous experience will be challenged to throw the ‘perfect’ cylinder in several efficient movements.

These courses are about quality not quantity.

Students will begin by creating pinch pots from a range of clay bodies, to use as test pieces for glazing. By the end of term, each student should have a number of glazed cylinders to take home.
On completing one of these courses, students will have developed skills in:
  • knowing a variety of clay bodies;
  • making a pinch pot;
  • wedging and weighing clay;
  • centring a ball of clay on the pottery wheel;
  • throwing a cylinder;
  • turning a foot on a cylinder;
  • glazing test pieces and cylinders;
  • basic kiln & firing knowledge.

Wednesday course starts  24 July to 11 September - 8 weeks​

Hand Building

Learn basic and intermediate techniques for hand building with clay, including coiling, pinching, slab building and surface treatments.

Karin Krebs           FULLY BOOKED
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Thursday - 9:30am to 12:00noon

Karin Krebs, Vessel, 2018. Photography: Kylie Rose McLean
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I live in a house filled with pottery. All the domestic ware in my kitchen is handmade and my shelves display a wonderful collection of sculpture. My passion is alternative firings, particularly the methods of raku and saggar.
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I have worked with clay for the last two decades, originally studying at the Nepean College for two years. In 2000, after a sea change, my ceramic practice continued to develop at Hornsby TAFE over a twelve-year period. During that time, many well-known ceramists generously shared their knowledge with me. In the same year I joined the Central Coast Potters Society, where I organise the kiln firings and glaze making, as well as teaching.
Hand Building - Beginners 
Thursday - 9:30am to 12:00noon
In my hand building class, you will learn the three fundamental techniques of pottery: pinching, coiling and slab building. You will also be introduced to applying glazes to your work.
With these techniques, you can create almost anything!

On completing this course, students will have developed skills in:
  • making a pinch pot;
  • making coils and creating a coil-built form;
  • rolling clay slabs and creating a variety of forms;
  • developing a concept and creating a ceramic work from your own design;
  • a range of additional skills associated with each student’s individual project.
  • applying underglaze and glaze;
  • basic kiln & firing knowledge.

Course starts Thursday 25 July to 12 September - 8 weeks

Lynn Treers             FULLY BOOKED
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Thursday - ​6:30pm to 9:00pm

Image - Lynn Treers, Platters, 2018. Photography: Kylie Rose McLean
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Hand Building - Beginners
Thursday - ​6:30pm to 9:00pm
See Lynn's profile above in Wheel Forming.
On completing this course, students will have developed skills in:
  • basic knowledge about clay properties and firing temperatures;
  • making a pinch pot;
  • rolling clay slabs and making a cylinder;
  • making coils and creating a coil-built form;
  • creating textured surfaces using stamps and impressions;
  • applying glaze;
  • basic kiln & firing knowledge.

Course starts Thursday 25 July to 12 September - 8 weeks

Sculpture

Carol McGilvery
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Monday - 6:00pm to 8:30pm

FULLY BOOKED
Student work, Term 1, 2019
Left - Rebecca Irving. Right - Cath Tobey
Photo: Carol McGilvery
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​Carol McGilvery is a high school Visual Arts teacher, passionate about spreading her love of ceramics. Since her HSC work, ‘A homage to Andy Warhol’, was chosen for ArtExpress in 1987, Carol has continued her enthusiasm for clay. She practices in her home studio on the Central Coast, regularly sells her work and attends ceramics workshops, completing an artist residency last year in Jingdezhen, China.
Bronze Age Vessel/Sculpture for the Garden
Monday - 6:00pm to 8:30pm
Come along for an adventure in sculptural ceramics where you can make a fabulous copy of a Chinese Bronze Age vessel for your garden or home, or a fabulous Christmas present for someone special.

During this course you will look at the history of Bronze Age vessels and their function.
You will design your vessel, make a template to build from, then use pinch pots, slab and coil building techniques, as well as high and low relief decoration. to construct your ceramic piece.
You will learn about applying an engobe, coloured underglazes, black copper and/or chrome oxide and dry glazes.

If you have little or no experience, or extensive knowledge in clay, this is the class for you. I will teach you based on your needs, vision and interest. The focus is on learning and improving skills - building your knowledge and understanding of manipulating clay.

Your creation will be photographed in the last lesson.
​On completing this course, students will have developed skills in:
  • using elements and principles of design to design a vessel/sculpture;
  • understanding the qualities of Keane Ceramics Special K clay;
  • making a pinch pot;
  • rolling a slab and making a cylinder;
  • creating a strong, large scale and aesthetically pleasing, vessel/sculpture;
  • piercing and carving clay;
  • being creative with and applying high and low relief decoration;
  • creating textured, stamped and impressed surfaces;
  • testing and applying surface treatments, with an emphasis on colour theory;
  • basic kiln & firing knowledge.

Course starts Monday 22 July to 09 September - 8 weeks

CLICK HERE FOR CHILDREN CLASSES


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​Student sculptural work, 2018. Photos: Libby Bourke
Central Coast Potters Society
Postal Address
P O Box 4043
East Gosford, NSW, 2250
02 4324 5343
​Email CCPS
www.ccpotters.org
Workshop
10a Russell Drysdale Street
East Gosford, NSW, 2250
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