Ata Ceramics Courses

Welcome to your Tuesday afternoon clay and wheel-throwing course (1pm - 3pm) for home-schooled children (7+) and their parents. This mixed ability course will run for 5 weeks in term 2, beginning on the 21st of April and ending on the 19th of May.

The price for your 5 week course is $189.75 per person. Please pay via bank transfer before the course commences to hold your space (quoting the name of the student attending, and the class they're attending).

CRAWLEY NIXON STEPHANIE RUTH

WESTPAC - 03 1598 0412628 001

Learn the basics of wheel throwing in a small, welcoming studio in Lyttelton. This afternoon class is suitable for absolute clay beginners, basic beginner throwers, and those who have never thrown on a wheel before. It is a mixed class with children and adults learning alongside each other, with the expectation that the adults within the class will also be supporting the children's learning and safety.

Over this five-week course you will learn the basics about different types of clay, firings, under-glazing and how to wedge and prepare your clay and centre it on the wheel. We will be learning how to throw cylinders which are the basis of vases, mugs and planters, and for those of you who are keen to extend, handles, and jugs. We will be applying underglaze in the final session, and your glazed pieces will all be available to be picked up a few weeks later from the studio.

At Ata we focus on the skill and practice of wheel throwing, rather than hand-building, and follow basic safety procedures to keep everyone safe and well within the class and while using the electric wheels.

• All long hair must be tied back.
• Electrical switches are only to be switched on and off by attending adults (with dry hands).
• Heat-guns only to be used by adults (with dry hands) and removed from the studio area to cool down.
• All wheels, tables, and benches are to be cleaned down and left silica-dust free for the next user.
• Floors will be wet-mopped after class (by your instructor).

Working together, we will be practicing to build your skill set in the art of wheel throwing, and learning safe practices within the studio to set you on your way, and you will no doubt have some beautiful pieces at the end of the course to take home with you.

Clay is a lot of fun, so please bring your sense of humour and come prepared to get messy. Though there is no guarantee your pieces will turn out as planned, it's a rewarding journey!

We have a maximum of 8 students in our classes, with a ratio of approximately 50/50 (adult to child) and it’s a relaxed, supportive environment in which to learn.

Please bring:

• Apron/old clothes/overalls (as you will get clay on you!)
• Old shoes to wear
• A small wooden board (A4-ish in size) to place your work on after it's thrown
• Plastic bags (delivered newspaper’s plastic sheaths are great)
• an old towel for your hands and lap
• a lidded container for collecting slops to recycle later

REFUND POLICY
Please pay your invoices prior to the start of class to secure you and your child's place. If you need to cancel for any reason, we ask that you give at least 3 days notice before the course commences. If we are unable to fill your spot we cannot guarantee a refund. Refunds are only given in exceptional circumstances as the studio is hired in advance.

Clay and glazing fees are additional to lesson fees. Allow approximately $20 - $30 over the 5-week term, depending on the quantity and size of pieces you produce. You are able to pay for these at the studio, via eftpos, cash, or bank transfer.