On this 5 week explorative course, you will delve into ideas of sustainable and creative ceramic practice by using foraged and found materials. You will be taught practical skills on how to identify, gather and use natural resources; as ceramic ingredients and surface finishes.
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On this course you will explore sustainable and creative ceramic practice by using foraged and found materials. You will develop practical skills on how to identify, gather and use natural resources; from local clays, rocks and minerals, to recycled or found objects, as ceramic ingredients and surface finishes. You will learn how to responsibly source materials, process and prepare them for ceramic use, and incorporate them into unique studio projects. Emphasis is placed on experimentation, sustainability and a greater appreciation for the natural origins and properties of ceramic materials.
What will we cover?
Responsible foraging: Guidance on ethical and legal considerations when collecting natural materials. How to find and identify local clays, minerals, and natural resources suitable for ceramics.
Techniques for testing, refining, and preparing found materials for use and troubleshooting clay-bodies, slips and glazes made from wild clay, stone and ash.
Incorporating foraged materials into hand-building, throwing, and glazing projects.
Case studies of contemporary ceramicists who employ foraged materials.
Health and safety practices when working with raw or unknown materials in the studio and the field.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
Confidently identify and collect basic foraged materials suitable for ceramics.
Process and integrate those materials into clay bodies, slips, engobes and glazes.
Develop and test your own unique slips and glazes using local resources.
Document your materials research, tests, and results for future reference.
Produce original ceramic pieces that tell a material story unique to your environment.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Ideal for ceramics students with some basic experience seeking new creative approaches, as well as individuals interested in the intersection of craft, environment, and sustainability. Beginners with a strong interest in materials exploration are also welcome. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Teaching will take place through a blend of studio demonstrations, practical group and individual projects, presentations, discussions and ongoing personal feedback. After instruction, learners are encouraged to bring their own found materials for experimentation.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Tools are available within the department for use but you may want to purchase or bring your own. There is a charge of £2.75 per 500g for clay before firing, the porcelain charge is £24.00 per bag/ £12.00 per half bag. Ensure that you bring with you a suitable pair of closed shoes, e.g. not open toed sandals. You will be expected to show good workshop practice and follow health and safety guidelines.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/foraged-and-found-materials-for-ceramics2539879Foraged and found materials for ceramicshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/f/o/found_and_foraged_image_1.jpeg549549GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Ceramics & sculpture/Ceramics & pottery/Courses/Art & design/Ceramics & sculpture/Courses/vm/Courses to do around London2285113211431431167812285113214311653<p>On this 5 week explorative course, you will delve into ideas of sustainable and creative ceramic practice by using foraged and found materials. You will be taught practical skills on how to identify, gather and use natural resources; as ceramic ingredients and surface finishes. </p>002539792Foraged and found materials for ceramics549549https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/f/o/found_and_foraged_image.jpegInStockDaytimeSunOff SiteAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekend2026-03-01T00:00:00+00:00Mar 2026Art & designVR825549549Foraged and found materials for ceramics439357549Tana Westforaged-and-found-materials-for-ceramics/vr825-2526<p>On this 5 week explorative course, you will delve into ideas of sustainable and creative ceramic practice by using foraged and found materials. You will be taught practical skills on how to identify, gather and use natural resources; as ceramic ingredients and surface finishes. </p>0000-Available|2026-03-01 00:00:00<p>On this course you will explore sustainable and creative ceramic practice by using foraged and found materials. You will develop practical skills on how to identify, gather and use natural resources; from local clays, rocks and minerals, to recycled or found objects, as ceramic ingredients and surface finishes. You will learn how to responsibly source materials, process and prepare them for ceramic use, and incorporate them into unique studio projects. Emphasis is placed on experimentation, sustainability and a greater appreciation for the natural origins and properties of ceramic materials.</p><p>On this 5 week explorative course, you will delve into ideas of sustainable and creative ceramic practice by using foraged and found materials. You will be taught practical skills on how to identify, gather and use natural resources; as ceramic ingredients and surface finishes. </p><ul><li>Responsible foraging: Guidance on ethical and legal considerations when collecting natural materials. How to find and identify local clays, minerals, and natural resources suitable for ceramics.</li><li>Techniques for testing, refining, and preparing found materials for use and troubleshooting clay-bodies, slips and glazes made from wild clay, stone and ash.</li><li>Incorporating foraged materials into hand-building, throwing, and glazing projects.</li><li>Case studies of contemporary ceramicists who employ foraged materials.</li><li>Health and safety practices when working with raw or unknown materials in the studio and the field.</li></ul><p> </p><p>By the end of the course, you should be able to:</p><ul><li>Confidently identify and collect basic foraged materials suitable for ceramics.</li><li>Process and integrate those materials into clay bodies, slips, engobes and glazes.</li><li>Develop and test your own unique slips and glazes using local resources.</li><li>Document your materials research, tests, and results for future reference.</li><li>Produce original ceramic pieces that tell a material story unique to your environment.</li></ul><p> </p><p>Ideal for ceramics students with some basic experience seeking new creative approaches, as well as individuals interested in the intersection of craft, environment, and sustainability. Beginners with a strong interest in materials exploration are also welcome. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.</p><p>Teaching will take place through a blend of studio demonstrations, practical group and individual projects, presentations, discussions and ongoing personal feedback. After instruction, learners are encouraged to bring their own found materials for experimentation.</p><p>Tools are available within the department for use but you may want to purchase or bring your own. There is a charge of £2.75 per 500g for clay before firing, the porcelain charge is £24.00 per bag/ £12.00 per half bag. Ensure that you bring with you a suitable pair of closed shoes, e.g. not open toed sandals. You will be expected to show good workshop practice and follow health and safety guidelines.<br/> </p><p>VR747 Experimental ceramics, VR826 Ceramics and narrative, VR791 Friday evening pottery, VR736 Pottery evening.<br/> </p>Ceramics & sculptureCeramics & potteryvirtual439549357VR825NONESun01/03/26 - 29/03/2610:00 - 17:0010:0017:005 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksDaytimeWeekendOSOff SiteTana WestAvailable courses2026-03-01T00:00:00+00:00Mar 2026Art & design549549Foraged and found materials for ceramicsforaged-and-found-materials-for-ceramics/vr825-2526<p>On this 5 week explorative course, you will delve into ideas of sustainable and creative ceramic practice by using foraged and found materials. You will be taught practical skills on how to identify, gather and use natural resources; as ceramic ingredients and surface finishes. </p>0000-Available|2026-03-01 00:00:00<p>On this course you will explore sustainable and creative ceramic practice by using foraged and found materials. You will develop practical skills on how to identify, gather and use natural resources; from local clays, rocks and minerals, to recycled or found objects, as ceramic ingredients and surface finishes. You will learn how to responsibly source materials, process and prepare them for ceramic use, and incorporate them into unique studio projects. Emphasis is placed on experimentation, sustainability and a greater appreciation for the natural origins and properties of ceramic materials.</p><p>On this 5 week explorative course, you will delve into ideas of sustainable and creative ceramic practice by using foraged and found materials. You will be taught practical skills on how to identify, gather and use natural resources; as ceramic ingredients and surface finishes. </p><ul><li>Responsible foraging: Guidance on ethical and legal considerations when collecting natural materials. How to find and identify local clays, minerals, and natural resources suitable for ceramics.</li><li>Techniques for testing, refining, and preparing found materials for use and troubleshooting clay-bodies, slips and glazes made from wild clay, stone and ash.</li><li>Incorporating foraged materials into hand-building, throwing, and glazing projects.</li><li>Case studies of contemporary ceramicists who employ foraged materials.</li><li>Health and safety practices when working with raw or unknown materials in the studio and the field.</li></ul><p> </p><p>By the end of the course, you should be able to:</p><ul><li>Confidently identify and collect basic foraged materials suitable for ceramics.</li><li>Process and integrate those materials into clay bodies, slips, engobes and glazes.</li><li>Develop and test your own unique slips and glazes using local resources.</li><li>Document your materials research, tests, and results for future reference.</li><li>Produce original ceramic pieces that tell a material story unique to your environment.</li></ul><p> </p><p>Ideal for ceramics students with some basic experience seeking new creative approaches, as well as individuals interested in the intersection of craft, environment, and sustainability. Beginners with a strong interest in materials exploration are also welcome. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.</p><p>Teaching will take place through a blend of studio demonstrations, practical group and individual projects, presentations, discussions and ongoing personal feedback. After instruction, learners are encouraged to bring their own found materials for experimentation.</p><p>Tools are available within the department for use but you may want to purchase or bring your own. There is a charge of £2.75 per 500g for clay before firing, the porcelain charge is £24.00 per bag/ £12.00 per half bag. Ensure that you bring with you a suitable pair of closed shoes, e.g. not open toed sandals. You will be expected to show good workshop practice and follow health and safety guidelines.<br/> </p><p>VR747 Experimental ceramics, VR826 Ceramics and narrative, VR791 Friday evening pottery, VR736 Pottery evening.<br/> </p>Ceramics & sculptureCeramics & potteryconfigurable
