Intensive throwing week
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Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 21 Jul 2025End Date: 25 Jul 2025This course is fullMon-Fri (Daytime): 10:00 - 17:00In PersonFull fee £539.00 Senior fee £431.00 Concession £350.00
- Start Date: 27 Jul 2026End Date: 31 Jul 2026Mon-Fri (Daytime): 10:00 - 17:00In PersonFull fee £549.00 Senior fee £439.00 Concession £357.00
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This five-day ceramics course offers students with some experience the opportunity to develop their throwing skills and understand/apply the techniques of making and controlling thrown pots. The intense nature of the course also enables more advanced students to experiment with the thrown form.
What will we cover?
All basic making processes will be covered, including appropriate clay preparation, simple shape-forming, bowls, vases, mugs and jugs through to the more complex area of lidded pots. In addition to core throwing-skills, there will also be an opportunity to explore experimental throwing and assembling. Firing will be discussed, and you can opt to select work to be fired for an additional glazing workshop in September (Glazing your work VR767,VR766).
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Make a range of traditional and experimental forms with control.
- Demonstrate improved levels of skill and technique in the making process
- Apply the principles of throwing in your work
- Work confidently on the wheel.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is aimed at intermediate and advanced students who wish to develop their skills further. If you are new to throwing we offer a week-long summer school ‘Intensive throwing week for beginners and refreshers’ (VR772).
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Group and individual demonstrations supported by discussions and visual presentations. Information will be provided
on modern makers, galleries and exhibitions for students who want to extend their knowledge further.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
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. In the final week you will need to pay for materials that you have used, payments to be made by contactless card reader.
For health and safety reasons you should wear closed footwear (no sandals or flip flops) and be aware that clothes may get messy although aprons will be provided.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit Ceramics offers a range of part-time, full-time courses and workshops at different levels. Students will be encouraged to progress onto more challenging projects at their individual level. There will also be a glazing session mid- September if you would like to glaze work from your summer school (course codes VR767, VR766).
Depending on your experience you may also be interested in:
VR711 Ceramics intermediate course
VR708 Pottery intermediate
VR720 Ceramics: throwing and decoration
VR786 Ceramics: surface printing on clay
Please check the website for the full range of ceramics courses.
Matt Sherratt has studied Ceramics at Loughborough College of Art and design where he gained a First BA Hons Degree. Later on having worked at the City Lit as a technician he went on to study Ceramics at the Royal College of Art. Matt has taught at the City Lit for over twenty years and this experience has enabled him to fine tune and develop his teaching of ceramics. Matt finds great pleasure passing on making skills, techniques and creativity. He is a full-time maker and exhibits regularly in galleries and ceramic art fairs. He also produces large scale work for commercial commissions. Please take a look at www.mattsherratt.com for more info.
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.