Courses at Wenford Bridge Pottery

In the early 1980s, pottery teaching passed from Michael Cardew to his eldest son, Seth. Formal education for Seth was as a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral Choir School and music is still an ever present event at Wenford. He later passed through Chelsea School of Art and Camberwell Sculpture School. His career has included teaching, exhibiting, throwing and modelling clay. Many of Seth’s pieces are in permanent collections world wide including the V&A Museum, London. Time permitting, there are lectures and demonstration tours at venues in North America and Australia, but Seth’s favourite place on earth is the Wenford kiln shed where he conducts courses, makes pots, communes with Earl Grey (the cat) and oversees the pottery today with a fantastic creative and infectious enthusiasm.

BASIC COURSE: The Basic Course covers a wide range of pot making skills, but is centred around throwing and is taught at a wheel. It is by far the favourite course and is suited to beginners, those wanting to return to pottery to review and polish up past abilities, and even many students who may be frustrated with night school and/or are seeking a more intense approach. Throwing begins with bowls and proceeds to mugs and plates. Trimming flatware is introduced. The subject of glazing is covered and one day is spent addressing the subject of decorating with banding, brushwork and slip trailing.

INTERMEDIATE COURSE: The Intermediate Course is a natural progression from the basic course and the line separating the two is faint. The course is taught at and from the wheel and emphasises throwing skills. Many students desire to perfect their skill of throwing the basic shapes. Techniques of pulling handles and throwing off the hump are covered. The philosophy of unity and simplicity of shape is addressed. One whole day will be devoted to decorating skills.

ADVANCED COURSE: begins with throwing of the basic shapes of bowls, mugs, and plates, but advances quickly to hollow ware and assembling pots. The assembled pots will include tea pots and candle sticks. The concept of achieving simplicity, honesty and unity within the shape of a pot is expounded and elements of visual rhyme and proportion are introduced Many basic rules of good (and bad) decoration will be discussed. Using brushwork, the student will band and create design then explore the techniques of sgraffito and slip trailing. Self expression and creativity is cultivated.

Each week’s course becomes very much tailor made for and by the group of students in attendance. There are certainly structured topics which are covered and it is in every sense a throwing course. Each student has a wheel and a supply of the excellent clay body which is blended and pugged at the pottery from it’s private but not secret recipe. Our aim is that students accomplish private goals, improve or overcome any weaknesses and progress in areas of private interest. New and exciting concepts and skills become accessible to each student regardless of his or her previous experience level.

Both day and residential courses are offered and run from Sunday evening arrival through Friday afternoon. Residential students are lodged on pottery grounds in one of the original cottages which have been tastefully and comfortably restored or at local quality B&B’s. Breakfasts and lunches are provided and taken in the garden when weather permits. Meal time is a high time and food is fresh, wholesome and great care is taken over its preparation. Day students join in the midday meal which never fails to be a wonderful moment of sharing ideas, hopes and personal triumphs. An evening meal is provided only on the night of arrival, but a fully equipped kitchen is available for student use. Tuition ends on Friday afternoon.. Additional nights before or after a course week are usually available on a B&B basis

Getting on toward lunch time!

Lunch in the garden

Student at work

Pulling handles

Glazing

Student's work out to dry

MUSEUM & LIBRARY

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