Pottery Beginners
Have you ever wanted to work with clay, but not known where to start? Join our beginner pottery class and learn a range of essential clay techniques. Whether you're a complete novice or have some experience, this pottery course will help you develop key skills, including hand-building and clay molding. Come and Join Matt McLean, one of New Zealand's top award-winning potters and learn a range of hand building and wheel throwing techniques.
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Tue 22 Jul
- $310.00 incl. GST
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. -
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
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. -
Tue 07 Oct8 weeks, Tuesdays 7 PM - 9 PM No classes Tuesday 28th Oct and Tuesday 25th Nov due to school events At Selwyn College, Auckland. Matt McLean
- $310.00 incl. GST
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
