Pottery Class: Wheel Throwing

Hi, I'm Sampada Gurung founder of The Slightly Curious Studio, a small canal-side pottery studio in Alperton, NW London.I'm originally from Nepal. I studied illustration at Falmouth University and after graduating I found myself increasingly drawn to clay. The pull was strong enough that in 2019 I opened my own studio, not as a serious "career pivot, " but because I wanted a space where anyone curious about pottery could come and try it without feeling intimidated. That's still the whole point of the studio. Feed the curiosity, and creativity follows.What I love about teaching pottery is watching people who arrive nervous "I'll be terrible at this, I promise" leave proud of a wonky little bowl they made themselves. Pottery is brilliantly humbling. It doesn't care about your job title, your follower count, or what you've achieved this week. The clay only responds to attention. I love being the person who's there when someone realises they can do something they didn't think they could.A few things that might be useful to know:I was a contestant on Channel 4's The Great Pottery Throw Down (Series 3) — equal parts terrifying and incredible. My work crosses illustration and ceramics: I trained as an illustrator at Falmouth, and my drawing background still shapes the forms and surfaces I make. Everything I show you in class is something I'd be making myself if you weren't here.My studio is right beside the Grand Union Canal — light, plant-filled, the opposite of a stressful weekday. I cap classes at 6–12 students so you get hands-on guidance, not a crowd to compete with.Since opening in 2019 I've been lucky enough to host thousands of Londoners beginner workshops, 5-week wheel courses, hen parties, corporate days, gifts, first dates that became second dates. Across Google, ClassBento and Airbnb we've earned 630+ five-star reviews, which still surprises me every time.If you've watched Pottery Throw Down and thought "I'd like to try that, " or you're just curious about clay and want a screen-free day come and have a go. No experience needed. Just curiosity.