Intermediate Sessions & Classes

This Ceramic Evening course is ideal for any ability from beginners to those that have some ceramic experience but would like to learn to develop their ideas over a 6 week period.

Whichever clay discipline you wish to develop and learn experienced potter Alex Shimwell will be on hand to help you to progress within this area whether you would like experience in throwing, slabbing, texturing, decorating or firing.

Alex specialises in throwing large pots and glaze creation.

This is an extremely popular course and is limited to 10 spaces per session.
Alex Shimwell’s course runs on Wednesday Evenings from 6.30-9.00pm

You will be allocated your own potters wheel and given one to one assistance from the tutor to help you to develop your ideas.

Basic materials, clay and tools will be provided.

Clay, storage and firing is restricted.

Please see Terms and Conditions for further information.

Bring your own apron.

Leave 15 minutes within the session time to clean your wheel and area down.

Names are to be clearly marked on pots or stamped to ensure they get fired.

The bottoms of all pots must be sponged to ensure they get fired.

Arrive at 6.30pm, no earlier!

Wednesday Evenings - Alex Shimwell.
Alex is a talented ceramicist with technical knowledge that is second to none.
He originally studied ceramic design at Staffordshire University, and has since travelled to Japan, spending time with Numaguchi-San, a 7th generation Jomo ware potter, learning traditional techniques and researching the aesthetic ideas that informed traditional British studio ceramics.

You can read more about our tutors here

Location:
All of our courses will be held at our studio in Fenton, Stoke on Trent.

Equipment provided:
Fabric aprons and towels will be provided for your course.

Clay provided:
Clay will be provided for use in the class. Should students require any other specific clay, it must be purchased separately through Valentine Clays website at least 24 hours before required or at the Valentine Clays counter before your session. Please note that ordering before your session may take time to process and supply and neither LoveClay or Valentine Clays are responsible for organising additional clay to reach you in time for your session if not ordered in a timely manner. Please note, we will only fire pieces in our kilns made with clay from Valentine Clays.

Storage
Storage per student is limited throughout the 6 weeks. Although we do not wish to cull creativity, please be mindful of other students and that storage space is limited and shared amongst many courses. We will also not be allowing students to take away pieces and bring them back for firing. We will only be firing creations made during the sessions. Going forward, we are considering a monthly firing session for anyone who wishes to continue creating at home. But for now only pieces made in the class will be eligible for firing.

Name Stamps
All creations for firing must be clearly marked with your name or stamp. Any unstamped or marked will not be fired.

Sponging and Glazing
All creations must be sponged and bottoms unglazed or will not be fired. Too many of our shelves are being damaged by creations with glazed bottoms.

Ceramic Firings:
Please allow time for your work to be fired. Please also note that with any type of ceramics there is always a risk that your item might not make it through the firing process. Please note, we will only fire pieces in our kilns made with clay from Valentine Clays.

Payment Terms:
Course fees are payable at the time of booking. We reserve the right to refuse attendance on the course if payment is not received prior to the course date.

Name transfer:
You can transfer your place on the course at any time prior to the course start. No charge will be made for this providing there is no change to the course or date.

Cancellations by you:
Should you need to cancel your booking your cancellation must be received in writing at least 14 days prior to start of the course. A refund will be made which will total the full amount paid less 5% to cover our payment merchant fees. We are unable to process a refund for cancellations received less than 14 days prior to the event.

Cancellations by us:
Should it be necessary due to reasons beyond our control to cancel an event then our liability is limited to a full refund of the course fee paid.

Transferring Course Dates:
Should you need to transfer your booking date you will need to contact us in writing at least 14 days prior to the event. Within this period we will be able to rearrange your course date. We are unable to change your date when notice is received less than 14 days prior to the event.

Missed Sessions:
If you have booked on to one of our courses and miss a session then this session can not be refunded or transferred to another course of the same type.

Course Suitability:
Whilst we are happy to offer advice for each course, which is for guidance only, it remains the responsibility of the delegate to decide whether a course is deemed suitable for them. All bookings are taken subject to these conditions.

This course is created for beginners and intermediates however it is important that all students refrain from utilising the workshop area to operate a ceramics business.

Photography Disclaimer:
Please note that on occasion photography and/or filming may take place during a course, workshop or event and material from this may be used publicly for marketing or social media purposes. Parents/carers of children are required to complete a photography disclaimer form – please speak to a member of staff regarding this.

Ceramic Firing Turnaround:
Please allow time for your work to be fired following your course. The time will depend on drying time for your creations and the current studio workload. Please also note that with any type of ceramics there is always a risk that your item might not make it through the firing process.

Gift Cards:
Our gift cards are valid for 12 months from the date stated on the gift card (after this date the gift card is no longer valid). You can redeem your gift card online with the voucher number against the specified course. Booking the course is subject to availability and we recommend booking your place as soon as possible. Details of the course, age recommendations, and duration are a guide only and are subject to change. Our gift cards cannot be exchanged for cash and are non-refundable.