Pottery courses in Zurich
Our pottery courses compared
Pottery wheel beginner course
This 4-week pottery course is solely dedicated to learning the basics of working with the pottery wheel and creating your first pieces. You will learn the techniques of wedging, centering, trimming, and glazing.
This course is for you if:
- You want to learn the fundamentals of throwing clay.
- You like the challenge of creating symmetrical forms and improving your precision.
- You want to create small functional pieces such as mugs, bowls, plates, and vases.
Mixed techniques beginner course
In this mixed course, you can learn both pottery wheel and handbuilding techniques, or focus exclusively on handbuilding. You will master three different handbuilding methods and learn how to glaze your creations. If you choose to learn the pottery wheel, you will spend half the time on foundational skills at the wheel.
This course is for you if:
- You want to learn the basics of handbuilding, or both handbuilding and pottery wheel.
- You would love to create larger shapes, such as vases or any type of asymmetrical items.
- You want to experiment with different types of clay.
One-day special – Pottery wheel beginner course
In this one-day pottery beginner course, you will learn the basics of wedging, centering, and trimming to create pieces on the pottery wheel. At the end of the course, you can choose to return to glaze your items during our open workspace, or we can glaze them for you using a selection of three glazes.
This course is for you if:
- You want to learn the basics of creating pieces on the pottery wheel in a short, condensed timeframe.
- The weekend (Saturday or Sunday) is perfect for your schedule.
- You want to create few small functional pieces such as mugs, bowls, plates, and vases.
Pottery wheel intermediate course
During this intermediate 5-week course, you will continue your wheel-throwing practice and take your skills to the next level. You'll focus on improving your centering and trimming techniques, tackle larger projects, explore more complex shapes, and refine your abilities to create larger, thinner, and more detailed pieces.
This course is for you if:
- You would like to take your throwing-practice to the next level
- You have numerous questions and are seeking expert advice to help you correct your mistakes.
- You want to refine your centering technique and create larger, more complex, and finer pieces.
The slowest, the better.
How pottery forces you to slow down and automatically relaxes your brain.
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FAQ
Do I need experience to join your pottery classes?
No prior experience is necessary! Our classes cater to all skill levels, from completely beginners to advanced students.
What kind of pottery courses do you offer?
We offer various options for learning and practicing ceramics to suit different needs:
POTTERY MAKING
– 2-hour Taster class: The best opportunity to try the pottery wheel and handbuilding. One session.
– 2-hour workshops: Choose between wheel-throwing, handbuilding, or pottery painting with different themes depending on the object you want to create. One session.
– 4-week course: Choose between wheel-throwing or mixed course (handbuilding or wheel-throwing).
– 5-week intermediate pottery wheel course.
– Membership: Monthly subscription to use the studio space. Available only for individuals who have completed at least 10 hours of ceramics courses and can work independently.
POTTERY PAINTING
– Pottery painting: A 2-hour open studio session where you can paint objects of your choice.
– Pottery painting & wine: A 2-hour open studio session where you can paint objects of your choice with one glass of wine included.
PRIVATE EVENTS & CLASSES, TEAMBUILDING EVENTS
– 2-hour private workshops: covering various techniques, with the option of adding appetizers or wine.
If I miss a class in my 4-week course, can I make it up?
If you miss only one class, yes, it is possible to make it up. However, if you miss more than one class, unfortunately, only one class can be made up. If you miss a session, you will continue with the scheduled sessions and catch up on what your classmates did in the previous class. Our instructors are capable of following students with an individual approach, even if they are at different stages. You can make up the missed class at the end of the course as a glazing session, with another group, or during our workspace hours for members. If you miss a class, please contact us by email before or during the course so we can provide you with possible catch-up dates.
How do I reserve a course?
Go to the page of the activity you wish to book and click on “Book Now.”
Can I bring my own clay/glaze to the studio?
No, it is not possible to bring your own materials (clay, glaze, or anything that will be fired) to the studio. All materials are provided directly at the studio.
Is it possible to cancel or change the date of my reservation?
- No refunds will be provided for cancellations of the booking.
- It is only possible to change the date of the booking. In case of modification of the date of the booking, the following terms apply:
- Up to 5 days before the class: the change of the date is free of charge.
- From 5 days to 2 hours before the booking: 50% of the total price will be extra charged.
- In the case of a no-show without notification, it is not possible to reschedule the booking to another date or receive a refund. No exceptions are made: in case of illness or personal matters, the terms and conditions mentioned above apply. We cannot take into account any medical or legal certificates.
- Further terms & conditions can be found here.
I recently took a pottery class, when can I come and pick up my creations?
All student work is ready within 4 weeks of the workshop date, or last date of the course. As soon as your things are ready, we will send you an email with all the information for picking up your creations. If you have not received an email and it has been more than 4 weeks please check your spam folder! Once you receive the email you can come and pick up your creations during the following opening hours:
Shop (if you took the class at the shop):
– Wednesdays: 2 pm – 6 pm
– Fridays: 3 pm – 6 pm
– Saturdays: 10 am – 1 pm
Workspace (if you took the course at the workspace):
– Tuesdays: 2-3 pm / 4-6 pm (the studio is closed from 3 to 4 pm)
– Thursdays: 2-4 pm / 5-6 pm (the studio is closed from 4 to 5 pm)
– Fridays: 2-4 pm / 5-6 pm (the studio is closed from 4 to 5 pm)
– Saturdays: 10 am – 1 pm
Please note: the pickup is closed during the studio holidays which are:
09.05.2024 Ascension Day
20.05.2024 Corpus Christi
22.07.2024-04.08.2024 (Summer break)
01.11.2024 All Saints’ Day
23.12.2024-06.01.2025 (Christmas break)
Why does it take up to 4 weeks to get our finished creations?
The pottery process is quite lengthy because it involves multiple stages.
In the first stage, the object is left to dry for 3 to 5 days, depending on the size of the item. For wheel-thrown creations, the pieces are trimmed by our staff after 2-3 days and then left to dry. Once dried, the pieces are placed in the kiln at 980°C for about 3 days. The kiln is run only when there are enough students items to fill it, as ceramic kilns consume a lot of energy.
After the first firing, the object is glazed by our staff and then fired again at 1240°C for about 2-3 days. Again, the kiln is only fired when there are enough items to fill it.
The objects are then sanded and inspected by our staff to identify any issues (cracks, glaze problems, breakages, etc.) and are packaged in bags for each student. Once the pieces are ready for pickup, students are notified.
What should I wear to the pottery course?
We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty, especially if you’re working at the pottery wheel, as working with clay can be messy! Each person will be provided with one apron at the studio. For pottery painting sessions or pottery painting workshops, no apron is provided since it’s not an activity where you typically get dirty.
Do you offer a firing service for external ceramics?
No, we do not currently offer firing services for external people or customers using their own materials.