You can throw it, glaze it, sculpt it and mould it in a series of clay making workshops next month, and all under the masterful eye of the Armidale Pottery Club.
The club is gearing up for its annual art exhibition in December by offering several Way of Clay pottery making classes.
The lessons cater for complete newbies through to advanced ceramicists and the club is encouraging people to come along and try something different.
Sculpture Carl Merten said the workshops were a great way to refresh your creativity and learn new skills.
“You don’t need any experience at all,” he said,
“And you get to take something home with you at the end.”
The club has come a long way since moving into their heritage listed art studio at the back of the town pool in 1972.
New artists, some with professional backgrounds in ceramics, are developing new techniques and fresh ideas that they love to pass on to newcomers.
“New members are always welcome,” Mr Merten said.
“It’s a great way to relax and unwind.”
Recently, the club created the purple-flowered ceramic entry statement in Uralla and is able to create commissioned works on demand.
Mr Merten will teach the first class in sculpting on October 22 and 23 from 9:30am to 4:30pm.
A wheel-throwing class will run the following weekend, on October 29 and 30 from 10am to 4:30pm.
And classes in glazing, decorating, plaster mould making, slip casting, and abstract sculpture are also planned with dates to be confirmed.
The annual exhibition is a highlight for the club and will feature works from many of their top artists.
“The show is our annual exhibition and it’s basically how we make a bit of money to pay for our glazes and firing,” Mr Merten said.
“It's a good opportunity for people to buy Christmas gifts.”
The exhibition is on from 8am to 5pm on December 10, and 10am to 3pm on December 11 and along with all the classes, will be held in the club’s studio at the back of the town pool, opposite TAFE.
For more information, to join the club, or to attend a workshop, call Carl Merten on 67755593 or you can find the Armidale Pottery Club on Facebook.
