Ceramics in Cultural Context
Join celebrated ceramic artist and veteran educator Gary McPhedran for an uplifting, visually rich survey of the ceramic works of art that have been shaped by human history.
Note: This is a standalone lecture series. You do not need to be enrolled in a practical ceramics course to attend! Whether you are a seasoned potter or simply an art history enthusiast, all are welcome.
In this special 3-week series, Gary goes beyond the "what" and dives into the "why." By pairing striking imagery of significant ceramic works with the political, social, and cultural forces of their time, Gary reveals how clay has served as one of humanity’s most enduring ways of recording our story. From ancient traditions to the innovations that changed the medium forever, this course offers a "deep dive" into the context of the craft.
This is a rare treat for the Slow Clay community, an opportunity to nourish your mind, spark new ideas for your own practice, and enjoy a mid-morning tea and lecture in a warm, scholarly environment.
What You’ll Learn:
Week 1: Developing an Australian Culture (Parts 1 & 2) An exploration of our local identity through clay, including a look at significant public works like John Olsen’s iconic mural at Melbourne University.
Week 2: Existing & Recognisable Cultures & Cross-Cultural Confusion A dive into how cultures define themselves through ceramics, and what happens when those styles collide, featuring the powerful works of Akiko Takamori and traditional works from PNG.
Week 3: Cultural Recognition in Mosaics/Figurative Works & The Power of Influence From the breathtaking mosaic grave of Rudolf Nureyev to the feminist landmark of Judy Chicago’s The Dinner Party, we explore how ceramics immortalise individuals and movements.
Format: Each morning consists of two engaging visual lectures broken up by a social tea break. It’s the perfect way to connect with fellow makers and find fresh inspiration.
The Details:
Dates: June 4, June 11, June 18
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced (Open to practitioners and art history lovers alike!)
What to bring: Just a notebook, a pen, and your curiosity.
Price: $255 (Full) / $240 (Concession)
About the Instructor: Gary McPhedran is a retired, highly experienced art teacher, a practicing artist, and a dedicated ceramicist. A long-time friend of the Slow Clay studio, Gary is known for his expansive, accessible teaching style and his ability to make history feel vibrant and relevant to the modern maker.
Details
Appropriate for
Preparation
What to bring
- Notebook and pen
What to wear
It's a ceramic studio: leave the stilettos at home!
Your Teacher
Gary Mcphedran is a retired, highly experienced art teacher, a practicing artist, and a dedicated ceramicist. A long-time friend of the Slow Clay studio, Gary is known for his expansive, accessible teaching style and his ability to make history feel vibrant and relevant to the modern maker.
Organized by
Slow Clay Centre
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.
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.
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:
- Deposit or full payment (depending on the course/workshop/event) must be made at the time of booking
- Your deposit is a commitment to attend, not just a holding fee, and it is non-refundable if you change your mind
- Please choose your class/course carefully. It is easy to make mistakes so please double-check your dates to avoid disappointment.
- 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
- 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!
- 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
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Teaching fees are fully inclusive of materials but students will incur a single firing fee based on the current cost (advised in your class)
- 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.
- 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:
- We require all parents and carers to fill out an emergency contact form.
- 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.
- You will be required to sign-in and sign-out your children at each class.
- Please respect our teacher's time and be prompt to arrive and to collect your children (within 5 minutes of class time)
- 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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