Overview:

Join Belinda's 8-week course and embark on a creative journey to craft beautiful and functional tableware. This course offers a balanced approach, combining focused instruction on wheel throwing, artistic design exploration, and the art of glaze creation. Each session is structured to build your skills progressively, starting with the fundamentals of wheel throwing and progressing to advanced techniques. We will also incorporate artist studies to broaden your understanding of ceramic history and contemporary practice, inspiring your own creative direction. You'll learn to mix custom glazes from base recipes, gaining a deeper understanding of glaze chemistry and application, and discover how to integrate your artistic vision into your work.

Key Learning Areas:

• Develop proficiency in wheel-throwing techniques for creating a variety of tableware forms.
• Enhance your artistic design skills and learn to express your creativity through ceramics, informed by artist studies.
• Gain a foundational understanding of glaze chemistry and the ability to create custom glazes.
• Acquire practical skills in glaze application and firing techniques.
• Complete the course with a unique and cohesive tableware set that reflects your personal style, influenced by the artist studies presented.

Cost: 1795pp

Includes Clay, Glaze Materials and test firings

*Additonal Firing fee $19 per kg for both bisque and glaze payable on completion of glaze firing.

8 Week Course - 1 Day a week

Overview: Hand-Building: Earthenware Collection - 8-Week Course

Embark on an 8-week creative journey to design and build a cohesive collection of earthenware ceramic pieces. This course offers a comprehensive approach, combining focused instruction on various hand-building techniques, artistic design exploration, and the creation of custom earthenware glazes. Each session is structured to build your skills progressively, starting with fundamental techniques and advancing to more complex sculptural and decorative forms. We will also incorporate artist studies focusing on earthenware traditions and contemporary practices to broaden your understanding and inspire your creative direction. You'll learn to mix custom glazes specifically formulated for earthenware, gaining a deeper understanding of low-fire glaze technology and application, and discover how to integrate your artistic vision into a unified collection of both functional and non-functional earthenware pieces.

Key Learning Areas:

• Develop proficiency in a variety of hand-building techniques: Learn coiling, pinching, slab construction, and more, specifically tailored for working with earthenware clay bodies, to create a diverse yet cohesive collection.
• Enhance your artistic design skills: Explore sculptural and decorative forms, drawing inspiration from classic and contemporary earthenware styles through artist studies, to develop a unified aesthetic for your collection.
• Gain a foundational understanding of earthenware glaze technology: Learn to create custom glazes from base recipes, specifically for low-fire earthenware, considering temperature ranges, environmental impact, and economic factors, to create a consistent glaze palette for your collection.
• Complete the course with a unique and cohesive collection of earthenware pieces: Create functional and non-functional earthenware items that reflect your personal style, influenced by the artist studies presented, and utilizsng your knowledge of earthenware glazes and clay bodies, to form a unified artistic statement.

Cost: 1795pp

Includes Clay, Glaze Materials and test firings

*Additonal Firing fee $19 per kg for both bisque and glaze payable on completion of glaze firing.

8 Week Course - 1 Day a week

NEXT START DATE:

Max 3 / 4 People per group

What You’ll Discover:
This is a hands-on journey into alternative firing, where clay meets flame in its most expressive form. Over 6 weeks, you’ll prepare sculptural and decorative works designed to thrive in Raku and Barrel firing. We’ll explore clay bodies, develop surfaces (including terrasigillata and smoke effects), and get your pieces truly firing-ready.

The course ends with a 2-day immersive firing at the stunning HIRL (Hamilton Institute of Rural Learning) in regional Victoria—an inspiring space to finish and transform your work through flame.

Two Ways to Join:

Option 1: Full Deep Dive Course

6 x full-day sessions at my St Kilda studio (Mondays 9.30 - 4.30)

Access to online course materials

Clay, glazes & firings included

Max 3 students — individualised guidance throughout

Cost:

TBC

(Participants book their own accommodation for the firing weekend)

Option 2: Firing-Only

Ideal for those who’ve already made bisqued work suited to Raku

Join us just for the 2-day firing experience

Includes glaze materials, guided firing, and all firings

Option to purchase bisque forms if you don’t have your own

Cost:

TBC
(Clay bisque forms available separately if needed; travel/accommodation not included)

If you’d like a warm, immersive, and creatively expansive way to connect with clay and fire — this one’s for you. 🔥

What You'll Discover:

By the end of this course, you will start developing a diverse portfolio that encompasses both throwing and hand-building techniques, aimed at creating both functional and non-functional pieces in an oxidized kiln environment (using electric kilns). Alternatively, you can choose your preferred method of making. You'll build on prior learning and skills to create new forms, blend techniques to achieve planned outcomes, and make informed choices regarding glaze finishes. Your work will begin to reflect your unique voice and style, as you explore personal inspirations and motivations.

Cost: 1795pp

Includes Clay, Glaze Materials and test firings

*Additonal Firing fee $19 per kg for both bisque and glaze payable on completion of glaze firing.

8 Week Course - 1 Day a week

What You'll Discover:

By the end of this course, you will create a collection of works for a group exhibition, drawing on your prior learning, studies, inspirations, and personal experiences. You will gain valuable experience in developing works under time constraints and within exhibition frameworks. This course will also cover essential skills in curating and presenting artwork, helping you to effectively communicate your artistic vision.

Additionally, you will learn about the logistics of organising an exhibition, from planning and promotion to installation and opening events. By participating in this course, you'll not only refine your artistic capabilities but also develop confidence in showcasing your work publicly, leaving you well-prepared for future artistic endeavors.

Cost: TBC

Includes Clay/ Glaze materials and all test firings

10 Week Course - 1 Day a week + Exhibtion Event

Max 3 People per group (exhibtion group size might be bigger depending on intake)

Target Audience:

These standalone courses are designed for you if you have embarked on your clay journey or wish to begin with a fully immersive experience. They cater to those seeking an in-depth experience akin to aspects of higher education, without the formalities. There are both beginner intakes and intermediate intakes, with small groups of three allowing for a personalised experience. If you already have a group of three, contact me to have a chat.

Key Practical Skills:

You will gain practical skills in achieving uniformity on the wheel and understanding the constituents of glaze for both functional and non-functional works, as well as hand-building forming and alternative firing techniques. The course emphasizes making informed choices throughout the creation process.

Course Structure:

The learning experience includes practical hands-on workshops, demonstrations, comprehensive course materials, and testing sessions, providing a rich, interactive environment. It also includes discussions on current artists influencing trends and how these movements impact contemporary ceramics. Each individual course runs over 8 weeks, one day a week from 9:30 to 4:30 (dates to be confirmed).

Instructor:

The course is led by Belinda Nailon, a qualified teacher and ceramic artist with a bachelor’s degree in fine art Ceramics. Belinda brings extensive experience and expertise from the industry, offering personal insights and expert guidance.

Broader Goals and Opportunities:

The course helps you prepare for personal project/portfolio development and provides a framework you can utilize to prepare for professional opportunities. Sustainable practices are integrated, encouraging you to engage with contemporary trends responsibly.

Feedback and Development:

You can receive peer and mentor feedback throughout the course. Evaluations will consider skill development and the completion of works, facilitating continuous improvement and personal growth.

Enrolment and Community:

Interested participants can contact Belinda to discuss enrolment details. Additionally, students will have access to an online membership space to share and review course materials and access skill-based modules designed to improve throwing techniques.