Pottery Beginners
Have you ever wanted to work with clay, but not known where to start? Come and learn a range of skills that you can later adapt to fulfil your creative ideas. This course, designed for beginners or relative beginners, teaches hand building skills in a structured way. It is essential to attend the first two evening classes or the first weekend day to learn foundational skills. Do you want us to email you when new courses are scheduled? Click on "Let me know about future course dates".
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Tue 11 Feb
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Tue 11 Feb 19:00 - Tue 11 Feb 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Tue 18 Feb 19:00 - Tue 18 Feb 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Tue 25 Feb 19:00 - Tue 25 Feb 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Tue 04 Mar 19:00 - Tue 04 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Tue 11 Mar 19:00 - Tue 11 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Tue 18 Mar 19:00 - Tue 18 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Tue 25 Mar 19:00 - Tue 25 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Tue 01 Apr 19:00 - Tue 01 Apr 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
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Wed 12 Feb
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Wed 12 Feb 19:00 - Wed 12 Feb 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Wed 19 Feb 19:00 - Wed 19 Feb 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Wed 26 Feb 19:00 - Wed 26 Feb 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Wed 05 Mar 19:00 - Wed 05 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Wed 12 Mar 19:00 - Wed 12 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Wed 19 Mar 19:00 - Wed 19 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Wed 26 Mar 19:00 - Wed 26 Mar 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Wed 02 Apr 19:00 - Wed 02 Apr 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
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Sat 01 MarSaturday & Sunday 10 AM - 4:30 PM & glazing session Saturday 15 Mar 10 AM - 1 PM At Selwyn College, Auckland. Matt McLean
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Sat 01 Mar 10:00 - Sat 01 Mar 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Sun 02 Mar 10:00 - Sun 02 Mar 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3 Glazing
Sat 15 Mar 10:00 - Sat 15 Mar 13:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
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Tue 29 Apr
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Tue 29 Apr 19:00 - Tue 29 Apr 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Tue 06 May 19:00 - Tue 06 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Tue 13 May 19:00 - Tue 13 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Tue 20 May 19:00 - Tue 20 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Tue 27 May 19:00 - Tue 27 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Tue 03 Jun 19:00 - Tue 03 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Tue 10 Jun 19:00 - Tue 10 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Tue 17 Jun 19:00 - Tue 17 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
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Wed 30 Apr
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Wed 30 Apr 19:00 - Wed 30 Apr 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Wed 07 May 19:00 - Wed 07 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Wed 14 May 19:00 - Wed 14 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Wed 21 May 19:00 - Wed 21 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Wed 28 May 19:00 - Wed 28 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Wed 04 Jun 19:00 - Wed 04 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Wed 11 Jun 19:00 - Wed 11 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Wed 18 Jun 19:00 - Wed 18 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
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Tue 22 Jul
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Tue 22 Jul 19:00 - Tue 22 Jul 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Tue 29 Jul 19:00 - Tue 29 Jul 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Tue 05 Aug 19:00 - Tue 05 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Tue 12 Aug 19:00 - Tue 12 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Tue 19 Aug 19:00 - Tue 19 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Tue 26 Aug 19:00 - Tue 26 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Tue 02 Sep 19:00 - Tue 02 Sep 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Tue 09 Sep 19:00 - Tue 09 Sep 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
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Sat 16 AugSaturday & Sunday 10 AM - 4:30 PM & glazing session Saturday 30 Aug 10 AM - 1 PM At Selwyn College, Auckland. Matt McLean
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Sat 16 Aug 10:00 - Sat 16 Aug 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Sun 17 Aug 10:00 - Sun 17 Aug 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3 Glazing
Sat 30 Aug 10:00 - Sat 30 Aug 13:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
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Tue 07 Oct8 weeks, Tuesdays 7 PM - 9 PM No classes Tuesday 28th October due to a school event At Selwyn College, Auckland. Matt McLean
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Tue 07 Oct 19:00 - Tue 07 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Tue 14 Oct 19:00 - Tue 14 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Tue 21 Oct 19:00 - Tue 21 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Tue 04 Nov 19:00 - Tue 04 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Tue 11 Nov 19:00 - Tue 11 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Tue 18 Nov 19:00 - Tue 18 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Tue 25 Nov 19:00 - Tue 25 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Tue 02 Dec 19:00 - Tue 02 Dec 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
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Wed 08 Oct
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Wed 08 Oct 19:00 - Wed 08 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Wed 15 Oct 19:00 - Wed 15 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Wed 22 Oct 19:00 - Wed 22 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Wed 29 Oct 19:00 - Wed 29 Oct 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Wed 05 Nov 19:00 - Wed 05 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Wed 12 Nov 19:00 - Wed 12 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 7
Wed 19 Nov 19:00 - Wed 19 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 8
Wed 26 Nov 19:00 - Wed 26 Nov 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
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Sat 01 NovSaturday & Sunday 10 AM - 4:30 PM & glazing session Saturday 15 Nov 10 AM - 1 PM At Selwyn College, Auckland. Matt McLean
- $310.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Sat 01 Nov 10:00 - Sat 01 Nov 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Sun 02 Nov 10:00 - Sun 02 Nov 16:30At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3 Glazing
Sat 15 Nov 10:00 - Sat 15 Nov 13:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
Description
Course formats
Evening courses run over eight weekly sessions. Courses are available on either Tuesday or Wednesday evenings 7.00pm - 9.00pm.
Weekend courses run over two weekends. The first part of each course runs on a Saturday and Sunday 10.00am - 4:30pm. Then a follow-up class will run on a Saturday 10.00am to 1.00pm to glaze your pieces. Courses are limited to 12 per year due to constraints in our pottery room and kiln room. Each year's courses are published in approximately November of the prior year.
Course dates 2025
- Tuesdays 7pm - 9pm starting 11 February
- Wednesdays 7pm - 9pm starting 12 February
- Weekend Saturday and Sunday 1st & 2nd March 10am - 4:30pm plus glazing session on Saturday 15th March 10am - 1pm
- Tuesdays 7pm - 9pm starting 29th April
- Wednesdays 7pm - 9pm starting 30th April
- Tuesdays 7pm -9pm starting 22nd July
- Weekend Saturday and Sunday 16th & 17th August 10am - 4:30pm plus glazing session Saturday 30th August 10am - 1pm
- Tuesdays 7pm - 9pm starting 7th October
- Wednesdays 7pm - 9pm starting 8th October
- Weekend Saturday and Sunday 1st & 2nd November 10am - 4:30pm plus glazing session Saturday 15th November 10am - 1pm.
Matt will discuss dates and times for collecting fired pieces.
About Pottery Beginners
Ideal for beginners or those relatively new to pottery, this course introduces a range of clay forming and decorating techniques that will equip you to work independently at home. A range of hand building approaches, wheel throwing, slip trailing and press moulding are covered.
This course is focused on learning technical skills which Matt teaches in a systematic way - usually demonstration first, then group practice. For most students it takes a full course to acquire these basic skills and you will produce a few simple pieces as part of your learning. Once you have mastered the basics you are encouraged to pursue your own creative direction (in either a second term of classes or at home). It is important to attend the first two classes of your course as foundational skills are covered in this classes. Please enrol at a time when your schedule will permit this.
The maximum class size is 11 students. We have three wheels available for most classes. Your fee covers basic clay and glazes as well as firing. Matt will have some tools available to share with the group (cutting wires, smoothing tools, texture tools, shaping tools, sponges etc). You are welcome to share the use of these tools or buy your own (a cheap kit is available at The Warehouse and Matt will talk about this in the first class).
Matt is one of New Zealand's top award-winning potters, and is a dedicated and patient teacher.
About our facilities
We are excited to have you join us in our small pottery shed, located next to our kiln room at the back of Selwyn College, for a fun and creative pottery experience. Since the shed can be cold in the winter months, it is essential to dress appropriately to ensure your comfort while you work on your pottery masterpieces. We suggest you layer up, wear a warm top, warm socks, closed shoes or boots, hat and scarf if you particularly feel the cold.
By dressing appropriately for the class, you can fully enjoy the experience without being distracted by the cold weather. We'll have heaters in the shed to make it as comfortable as possible, but dressing warmly will ensure you have a great time learning and creating your pottery pieces
If you have any further questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact the office.
Expected learning outcomes
On completion of the course it is expected that you will be able to:
- use a range of hand-building techniques
- form a simple vessel on the wheel (if you choose to learn the wheel)
- decorate with slips, oxides and stains
- apply glazes
Who should attend?
Those new to pottery wishing to learn hand forming techniques in a structured setting. Matt encourages students to attend the course twice if possible to practise learned techniques in a supported environment before crafting at home.
Next level course
Once students have acquired strong hand building skills (this usually takes two terms of the beginner level course), Matt offers a Next Steps course to develop more complex techniques such as handles, spouts, feed and lids.
Testimonials
Dear Anne, I’m just writing to say what a privilege it was to do your Pottery Course with Matt McLean. He is an extremely experienced tutor with a wealth of knowledge to pass on to his students. This is high calibre teaching at its best. Thank you for the opportunity. Sue M August 2022
Feedback from past students:
- Hi Please pass on my thanks to Matt-thoroughly enjoyed these evening classes and the tolerance, generosity and humour that Matt brings to the lessons. Highly recommended. Kind regards Cheryl
- What a privilege it was to do your Pottery Course with Matt McLean.
- He is an extremely experienced tutor with a wealth of knowledge to pass on to his students. This is high calibre teaching at its best.
- The course is good with reasonable price and suitable class size. It's great that more people can know and join. Great fun!
- I liked that it is not too structured - you're free to make what interests you but other tools and ideas are available if you want to branch out
- Matt is very knowledgeable, clear in his explanation, patient and helpful - and friendly! This is my second time taking this course, I am happy I returned
- Enjoyed everything! I attended this course along with 2 friends last year - this yer we all cam back and brought 2 more friends. I like the combination of practical skills and freedom given my the tutor to experiment. The course covers a great range of techniques so beginners can accomplish a variety, rather than feeling restricted by their newbie-ness. Matt is a great tutor, gives lots of good instructions, and feedback when needed. He's very knowledgeable, and great at one-on-one and group instruction. I'll probably be back for a 3rd run soon
