2-Day Pottery Wheel Workshop Melbourne
2-Day Pottery Wheel Workshop Melbourne
from $595.00
Next: Sat, 21 Mar 9:30AM (AEDT)

2-Day Pottery Wheel Workshop Melbourne


what students are saying

🧘‍♀️ Ergonomic Techniques 🎨 Creative Exploration 🔍 Expert Instruction 💪 Hands-On Mastery

Spend a full weekend immersed in pottery wheel throwing at Slow Clay Centre in Collingwood, Melbourne.

This intensive is taught by Slow Clay founder Jane Sawyer, creator of the Slow Clay Method™  a structured, ergonomic approach to wheel throwing rarely taught in short-format workshops. This is a unique opportunity to work closely with her in a small-group setting.

The Slow Clay Method™

The Slow Clay Method™ is based on ergonomic Japanese wheel-throwing techniques that prioritise posture, efficiency and long-term sustainability at the wheel. The focus isn’t just on making pots, it’s on learning how to throw in a way that protects your back, shoulders and wrists.

Over the weekend you will:

  • Learn to centre clay consistently
  • Pull even walls and form functional shapes
  • Explore throwing off the hump (an efficient production technique)
  • Develop economical, controlled movements– Refine trimming and finishing techniques

Beginners receive clear, step-by-step foundations. Students with prior experience receive tailored guidance to refine and adapt their technique.

This workshop is ideal for:

  • Complete beginners wanting an immersive start
  • People who can’t attend weekly classes
  • Interstate or visiting students
  • Returning potters wanting to improve technique
  • Intermediate and advanced students curious about adapting to a more fluid, ergonomic approach

Slow Clay Centre has been teaching ceramics in Melbourne since 2012 and is known for its structured, education-focused approach. Many students use the Weekend Intensive as a foundation before continuing into term classes or studio access.

If you’re unsure whether the course suits your level, feel free to contact us before enrolling.


Details

6 hours 30 minutes x 2 Days

You will learn

  • The "power of slow" economical, effective movements for sustainable wheel throwing.
  • How to make pottery on the wheel using the Slow Clay Method™, inspired by ergonomic Japanese techniques.
  • Trimming, decorating, and glazing (optional glazing class available).

You will get

  • A group of handmade pots (quantity depends on individual progress) glaze and ready for daily use..
  • A complete introduction to wheel throwing, from centring to finishing.
  • Unique knowledge of Japanese-inspired techniques, taught by instructors trained in Japan.

Appropriate for

Beginners eager to learn a structured, skill-focused approach. As well as returning potters or those with some experience who want to refine their technique with our ergonomic method.


Preparation

What to bring

  • Camera, notebook and pen, lunch

What to wear

Just wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting clay on, we provide everything else!


Your Teacher

A rare opportunity to learn directly from Slow Clay Centre founder Jane Sawyer, supported by experienced teaching staff.

Slow Clay Centre has been teaching ceramics in Melbourne since 2012 and is known for its structured, education-focused approach.

Organized by

Slow Clay Centre

Slow Clay Centre

1194 reviews

Escape to Slow Clay Centre and learn the art, craft and design of expression in clay. 

Slow Clay Centre is one of the most highly regarded specialist ceramics/pottery schools in Australia. We aim to give you THE BEST experience learning our ancient craft and our longevity stands for this with thousands of students who have learnt from us! 

We welcome all levels from kids and beginners adults taster classes to advanced professional development and mentoring. 

Our weekly students receive priority to re-enrol each term and take advantage of our generous loyalty program providing free studio access in between classes (conditions apply). In this way we can help you to develop your skills to a high level like no other school. 

Our unique "Slow Clay" (TM) method for teaching the pottery wheel, established by Slow Clay Centre director and ceramic artist Jane Sawyer, has been taught for more than thirty years. Based on the Japanese techniques Jane studied training as a production thrower in Japan in combination with western techniques, the "Slow Clay" method offers a synthesis of East and West. It provides ergonomic best-practice and a solid foundation for personal expression and confidence with clay. 

All our courses offer a foundation of skill-based learning within a rich framework of contemporary art and design enquiry so you can follow your interests. Our ultimate aim is to help you achieve whatever your personal goals are with clay!

Based in a beautiful inner-city studio in Collingwood, Melbourne, Australia, the Slow Clay team consists of leading professional ceramic artists and experienced teachers who offer high-level teaching in a broad variety of topics - see our web site for teacher profiles. Together with guest professional artists who host workshops and forums, we are a vibrant community and wish to share our passion for clay with everyone who is keen, no matter what level.


4.9 (80 reviews)
Matt
Oct 2025
Jane and Alyssa were amazing instructors. Patient, kind, funny, and engaging, they made learning a joy
Slow Clay Centre Dec 2025

Thanks Matt - and you are the best kind of student! (Jane)

Angela
Oct 2025
Jane and Alyssa are fabulous teachers. Highly knowledgeable, patient and engaged, it was bliss to spend two days with fellow potters, having fun and learning a tonne of new skills. Hands down the best pottery class I’ve done. Highly recommend!
Simone
Jul 2025
Japanese method of throwing Excellent demonstrations resulting in all students completing many different pots Slip design and various decorative finishes demonstrated encouraging individual design .

Terms

Cancellations & Refunds

If the organiser cancels the class:

You are entitled to a full refund.

If you can't attend the class:

You’re welcome to send someone in your place.

OR

  • A transfer can be requested 14 days before the class starts. An admin fee of AU$25.00 applies.
  • A credit note can be requested 14 days before the class starts. An admin fee of AU$25.00 applies.

No changes will be allowed after these times.

We recommend the refund upgrade option upon checkout in case you’re not able to attend the class. Learn more about refund upgrade option.

Terms & Conditions

Welcome to Slow Clay Centre!

These T&Cs override any others that may appear on older sites.  

General: These apply to all Slow Clay Centre courses, workshops and events:

  1. Deposit or full payment (depending on the course/workshop/event) must be made at the time of booking
  2. Your deposit is a commitment to attend, not just a holding fee, and it is non-refundable if you change your mind
  3. Please choose your class/course carefully. It is easy to make mistakes so please double-check your dates to avoid disappointment. 
  4. We occasionally need to cancel a class and if so we will always refund in full within 7 days. Due to our limited class sizes we do not offer refunds for any other reason 
  5. If you are unable to attend after booking you may transfer your booking to a friend for no charge or, provided we can fill your place, we can sometimes transfer you to another class or hold your payment in credit for up to 24 months for a future course. No guarantees though!
  6. There is a $25 fee for all transfers or credit note and you must pay any fee difference if the new course is a higher price
  7. Please note: All students will receive a reminder between three weeks and/or one week (depending on the course)  before the start date with a link to pay any remaining balance with your credit card. Students who paid the deposit online will have the balance automatically deducted. Others will need to click on the link provided or ring our office on 99437844.
  8. Due to our limited class sizes, if your balance is not received three weeks before the start date and you have not made arrangements with us, we reserve the right to find a replacement student and your deposit will be  forfeited


Weekly classes: These additional conditions apply to all Slow Clay Centre weekly classes:

  1. Please note that making ceramics, particularly on the pottery wheel,  can be a physically demanding activity. If you have any pre-existing illnesses and/or chronic injuries to your back, shoulders, hips, neck, wrists or elbows we strongly advise you to seek a medical opinion before enrolling as some activities might exacerbate past injuries and we take no responsibility if this occurs. 
  2. We ask that you fully disclose any prior and/or ongoing illnesses or injuries that could affect you before you enrol AND inform your teacher in person during the first class. 
  3. Your enrolment is conditional on your acceptance that Slow Clay Centre and/or the company's employees, whether casual, contract, or permanently employed, are indemnified against any exacerbation of any past or any new injuries that may arise as a result of your activites.
  4. All work made during classes is to be used for personal, non-commercial purposes. This is individually negotiable for advanced students or for studio exhibitions but we ask students to accept that our emphasis is strictly on education not studio production. If you sell your work made using our materials you must acknowledge Slow Clay Centre and also ensure and provide evidence of product liability insurance. 
  5. Teaching fees are fully inclusive of materials but students will incur a single firing fee based on the current cost (advised in your class) 
  6. Please note: we encourage judicious selection of your work to fire. Firing is always optional and all clay is recycled until the first firing. After that you must pay the firing fee for everything that gets fired. If it cracks, glaze drips, or you just don't like it, you are still required to pay the firing fee unless the fault is caused by us.
  7. Collection of fired pieces: Please understand that our storage capacity is extremely limited. Students will be notified via email when work is ready to be collected. Work will only be retained for two weeks following notification. 


Regarding Kids Clay Club: 

  1. We require all parents and carers to fill out an emergency contact form. 
  2. It is your responsibility to clearly report in writing on the form, any illness, allergies or disability that may affect your child's involvement in the Clay Club activities and follow up verbally with the teachers and/or office administrator.
  3. You will be required to sign-in and sign-out your children at each class.
  4. Please respect our teacher's time and be prompt to arrive and to collect your children (within 5 minutes of class time)
  5. Children are expected to be mature enough to follow instructions, to work in a group together, to respect everyone's needs and differences and to be polite to everyone.

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