Where to Find the Best Pottery Classes in Melbourne
Head to these Melbourne pottery studios to learn wheel-throwing, hand-building and ceramics-painting by super friendly experts.
Where to Find the Best Pottery Classes in Melbourne
Head to these Melbourne pottery studios to learn wheel-throwing, hand-building and ceramics-painting by super friendly experts.
The best pottery classes in Melbourne aren't only for those naturally gifted creatives who excel at painting, sculpting and learning musical instruments. The rest of us mere mortals who simply like the idea of having some kind of hobby — that isn't watching tele, propagating plants or going out to the pub — can also get a heap out of these experiences.
Melbourne pottery studios run regular one-day courses for total novices, giving them a chance to spin some clay around a wheel or have a go at hand-building — in the hope that they might produce something cool. Longer multi-week courses are also on the cards for those who fall in love with the craft and want to fill their homes with their own masterpieces. To help get you started, we've compiled this guide to the best pottery classes in Melbourne — great for beginners and experts alike.
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Located in a mid-century warehouse in Abbotsford, 2 Mayfield Street is a community space for creatives — running a heap of pottery classes, providing woodworking facilities and hosting regular art exhibitions.
In terms of classes, either come here to try the wheel for the first time, join a long multi-week course or dabble in ceramics painting. In this class, students will receive a piece of pottery made by the Mayfield staff and then be taught how to paint it in their own style. Whichever option you choose, you’ll be experiencing one of the best pottery classes in Melbourne.
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The Wheelhouse Studio in South Melbourne offers a light and airy space where students of all levels can learn to master the art of pottery. There are several types of pottery classes here, including ones that focus on the wheel and handcrafting, taking place over four or eight weeks.
Students will learn all the basics — like many other pottery classes in Melbourne — but the teachers at Wheelhouse Studio also encourage potters to discover their own personal style. This is a creative experience, after all, not paint by numbers. We don’t want our mugs, vases and bowls to look like everyone else’s.
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Twelve80’s big new studio in Coburg North offers a creative space to unleash your inner potter through various classes led by incredibly friendly teachers. It runs single-day classes and longer terms of eight or four weeks — where the students learn everything from wheel throwing and hand building to slip casting and glazing.
The studio also offers a unique membership program, where, for a monthly fee, members are able to access the space, equipment and dedicated lounge room anytime they want and for as long as they want — they get 24-hour access every day of the week. This is incredibly rare in the Melbourne pottery scene.
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With exposed brick walls, gorgeous timber floorboards and a constant stream of natural light, it would be easy to confuse Terrapotter Studios with a small city bar. But instead of cocktails and handsome bartenders, you’ll find some of Melbourne’s best pottery classes and a heap of ceramics for sale.
Its pottery classes include an introduction to wheel throwing, where students get to sit at the wheel for the first time and see what kind of masterpiece they can spin out before trimming, glazing and firing the piece. This is for people who are clay-curious and want to see if they should commit to a longer course — or anyone who just wants to chill out for a couple of short hours. Those who fall in love with the craft can then choose to join one of the longer seven-week pottery courses.
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Northcote Pottery Supplies is your one-stop shop for everything pottery in Melbourne. It’s basically a Bunnings for ceramics where you can buy just about anything you need to make your own pottery. It also offers classes to would-be potters, as well as a space for artists to sell their creations.
Its courses include a six-week beginner’s course where newbies will learn the art of wheel throwing, trimming, decorating, glazing and firing. It also teaches hand building, has single-day classes and runs special kid-friendly experiences during school holidays. This spot does it all.
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Ceramiques has pottery studios all over Melbourne, with locations in Elsternwick, Kew and Geelong — providing wheel-based ceramics classes in its tranquil, relaxing and creativity-inspiring spaces. Either jump on the wheel during short or long courses at all locations or organise a private group class for you and some mates or colleagues.
If you already have a knack for pottery, Ceramiques also hires studio accessories and kilns for a reasonable fee. That means you can swing by whenever you like and perfect your craft.
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The philosophy here is that pottery is like a dance, with the wheel’s movement stopping time around you. And with such wonderful teachers, you’ll be glad for the time to go as slowly as possible.
The classes on offer here include a one-off, two-hour class introducing novices to the wheel. You’ll learn throwing, trimming, and glazing, and by the end of the lesson, you’ll have created a cup, bowl or vessel that you’ll be able to take home (six weeks later, once they’ve been fired in the kiln). For those who are a tad more determined, there is a six-week course on offer, too. These are designed for everyone, from beginners to seasoned pros — and are some of the best pottery classes in Melbourne.
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Like everything creative, the pottery scene in Melbourne is huge, and Bisque Studios is right there at the forefront of it. It’s all about creativity, exploration and growth. It offers beginner and intermediate classes on the wheel and hand-building lessons for those who want to get more creative.
If you’re not quite ready to commit to a term, try one of the regular drop-in workshops. And if you’re more of a homebody, Bisque sells custom-made do-it-at-home kits. Get creative in front of the tele and bring in your fave pieces to get fired in the Northcote pottery studio.
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Founded by ceramics artist Amanda Reishi, Everyday Clay is about as laidback and chilled an art experience as you’ll likely ever have. Amanda’s philosophy is simple — uplift and inspire through the craft of pottery.
Unlike many brick-and-mortar pottery spots in Melbourne, Everyday Clay operates as a mobile studio. You pick the location and number of people (up to about 60), and Amanda will bring everything to you. That makes Everyday Clay better for those who already have a group of people keen on creating — either for a hen’s party or work gathering.
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Located in St Kilda, Bayside Pottery Studio offers a creative sanctuary for pottery enthusiasts — the only requirement for budding studies is a desire to create. Join pottery instructor Maree as she introduces you to the world of clay and kilns. This inviting boutique space provides classes for all levels, from beginners to experienced artisans.
Whatever your level, you’ll soon be an expert at wheel throwing, hand building, glazing, and firing techniques. The studio also offers bookable classes, including private one-on-one lessons, private group events, date nights, a four-week course and one-off taster workshops.
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Founded by ceramicist Daisy Cooper and creative Joseph Smaje, Clae Space is a studio where everyone is welcome to come and explore, experiment, express and grow as an artist. There is a range of classes offered here, from children’s holiday workshops to wheel-throwing and hand-building courses.
The one-day wheel course is one of its most popular and will introduce you to the basics while giving you plenty of time on the tools. By the end of the day, you’ll have two to three pieces ready to be fired in the kiln. Likewise, the one-day hand-building workshop focuses on basic techniques — allowing you to take a few of your own pieces home once they’re fired.
Top images: Bisque Studios by Melissa Cowan.
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