Weekly Pottery Course

Practice hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques through bespoke weekly classes in Leith.


Bottega Ceramica
Bottega Ceramica
5.0 (44)

4 x 2.5 hours Class size 1 to 4 guests    

  £200 - £400 (£200 for Public course; £400 for Private course) (PayPal Pay in 3 available)

Dive into the rich and tactile world of clay with this Weekly Pottery Course, ideal for newcomers as well as experienced potters. Our classes, limited to just four participants, provide a haven where your creativity can flourish with personalised attention from a qualified teacher.
Whether embarking on your first ceramic adventure or looking to develop your craft, these sessions are designed for flexible exploration of handbuilding and wheel-throwing techniques. Each week, you'll be able to choose depending on your mood and interests. At the wheel, you'll practise centring, pulling, shaping, and trimming, building confidence to make functional pieces like vases, mugs, dishes, and carafes. When handbuilding, you'll gain experience with coiling, pinching, and slab construction, giving you the freedom to create anything from everyday tableware and planters to more sculptural works that reflect your aesthetic vision.
Whether handbuilding or throwing, you'll also have opportunities to experiment with textures and patterns and decorate your pieces using slips, underglazes, and glazes. Discover how different finishes can transform each piece into something truly distinctive!
The course is structured entirely around your goals and preferences. A skilled and dedicated instructor is available to you at all times for support and advice. Whether you need tips on technique, ideas for form, or inspiration for glazes, you'll receive the guidance you need to bring your projects to life. Enjoy a curriculum that adapts to your wishes, ensuring a personal and highly rewarding experience. You'll leave the studio every week with a refreshing sense of accomplishment and mental clarity.
What you'll get
Bring home all the pieces you complete, firings included.
Knowledge required
None. Everyone is welcome to start or continue their pottery adventure!
What to bring
Please bring an apron if you have one; otherwise, we'll provide one.
Session repeats

This class series runs over 4 consecutive sessions, at the same time every week.


FAQ

Is any preparation required?
None, but please be aware that working at the wheel with long nails can be tricky. Your instructor will be available to help, if you need.
Location

Edinburgh Open Workshop, 39-41 Assembly Street, Leith, Edinburgh

Weekly Pottery Course location
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Your teacher

Bottega Ceramica
Bottega Ceramica

5.0 (44)
female Women-owned

Bottega Ceramica is a ceramics studio founded by Chiara Dorbolò, an architect and ceramist trained in Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. The studio's mission is to share the transformative experience of working with clay using your hands and the pottery wheel.
Crafting beautiful and functional pieces from clay is a joyful and empowering process. The repetitive, rhythmic motions involved in kneading, centering, and shaping clear the mind and lift the mood by means of mindfulness and sensory grounding. Nestled in a sunny studio space within the Edinburgh Open Workshop, Bottega offers beginners and seasoned potters alike a chance to experience this wonderful process. Whether you are touching clay for the first time or the hundredth, you'll find room to disconnect from the daily hustle and reconnect with your creative self.
The name Bottega is inspired by the traditional Italian workshop where artists and craftsmen trained under a master. Since Renaissance times, 'andare a bottega' has been synonymous with learning through observation and practice—preparing materials, replicating processes, and accumulating practical knowledge. Your instructor, Chiara, is a graduate of the Academy of Architecture in Amsterdam and the Francisco Alcántara School of Ceramics in Madrid. With two years of experience as a pottery teacher and nearly a decade as a design and architecture educator, she brings a rich pedagogical foundation to every class. At Bottega, she provides a thoughtful learning experience rooted in tradition and shaped by contemporary design practices. Through an approach that combines technical skill, material sensitivity, and spatial thinking, she'll help you deepen your understanding of ceramics as a craft and as a design language.
Classes at Bottega follow the atelier model, featuring small group sizes, personalized guidance, attention to technique, and space for experimentation. In particular, we offer:
  • Taster classes, for those eager to dip their fingers into the tactile world of ceramics.
  • Introductory courses, for beginners ready to embark on a comprehensive learning journey.
  • Weekly sessions, ideal to sharpen your skills and explore new creative horizons.
  • Themed workshops, where you are guided to create pieces inspired by seasons, topics, or celebrations.
Join us for an immersive experience tailored to your level of expertise. Dive into handbuilding and wheel throwing techniques and discover the sense of tranquillity that comes from engaging with this timeless craft. You'll leave with more than just pottery: you'll gain patience, inspiration, and a deeper connection to an ancient art form.

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class 1E57MXLBSX b30fa37a8c654059964d2a78c24cea95 production edinburgh Edinburgh Scotland GB edinburgh