Camden ART CENTRE CLASSES

Turning Earth Ceramics and the Camden Art Centre are teaming up to offer you all of their creative and learning opportunities, whilst enjoying the idyllic setting of the beautiful Victorian building and its state-of-the-art pottery studio situated in NW3.

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Situated in Hampstead, north London, Camden Art Centre is a place for art and artists; a place for the curious, the novice and the expert alike. It’s a place to see, to make, to learn and to talk about contemporary art, whether in their building, attending off-site projects or via their digital forums. Founded by artists in 1965, the Centre continues to be a space for the most vital and diverse mix of practices and ideas and is dedicated to supporting artists at every stage of their careers.

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Join us here for our regular courses, for a stroll in the garden, to relax in the cafe, and even to visit the shop, all while participating in the surrounding events and exhibitions.

Pottery classroom in the Hoxton studio
Pottery classroom in the Hoxton studio
Pottery classroom in the Hoxton studio

Frequently asked questions

How much work can I expect to make on a course?

The main objective of our courses is to teach you how to make ceramics well and help you practise and develop your technique, rather than to make as many pots as possible. We do rather see our students take home a few pieces they’re really proud of and that show off their development in skills, than producing as much as possible.

How many finished pieces you can expect to take home depends entirely on the individual’s skills and artistic vision. While some students enjoy the process and speed that can be achieved with throwing on the wheel, others enjoy the meditative process of making detailed and sculptural work.

Our 12-week courses are our most popular courses as they offer a great balance between learning technique and getting your practice in. Our shorter courses (with exception of our Intensive Courses) are condensed and you’ll have less time to get practising and making than you’ll have on a full 12-week course.

Can I bring my own clay or glazes to my class?

‍You can not bring your own clay, glazes or other ceramic materials to our classes. If you are keen to experiment with other clays or glazes, we recommend joining our studios as a member which will give you the opportunity to experiment more. Note that it is not possible to use Terracotta or other Earthenware in any of our studios.

Can I take a class just for wheel throwing?

Yes, we offer dedicated "Wheel Throwing Only" courses! For our standard introduction and 12-week courses, however, class time is shared between the wheel and hand-building. This ensures every student gets a well-rounded foundation in both essential pottery techniques.

What is included in the pottery class fee, and what do I need to bring?

To keep upfront costs low and encourage eco-friendly making, clay and firing are charged separately based only on what you choose to keep. Here is exactly how materials work and what you should pack for studio days:

  • Firing Costs: Firing is charged at £5 per kg of finished, fired pottery (an average mug costs about £2).
  • Glazes: All studio glazes are completely included in your firing fee.
  • Pottery Tools: You can bring your own, or purchase a basic 8-piece starter toolkit from us at the studio for £5.
  • A Clean Apron: You will need to bring your own apron, and it must be washed regularly! Dirty aprons spread clay dust, which is a health hazard for everyone. We highly recommend non-natural fabrics, as they trap dust more easily.
  • Sensible Clothing: Pottery gets quite messy, so please wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting dirty.

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What previous experience do I need to join an intermediate course?

Our intermediate throwing course is aimed at potters who are confident at all the basic throwing techniques such as wedging, centering, making cylinders, making bowls and trimming as these techniques will not be covered in the course. The course focuses on advanced techniques such as throwing larger pieces, lidded jars, teapots, throwing off the hump etc.

Can I buy a gift voucher for a class?

Gifting a pottery class is a simple way to share the experience of working with clay. Our digital vouchers are available to purchase through our gift vouchers page and can be redeemed for any course at our Hoxton, Leyton, or Highgate studios. Once purchased, the voucher is sent via email and the recipient can use it to book the timing that suits them best.

What payment options do you accept?

We accept all major credit and debit cards. We also offer flexible payment options through Klarna.

With Klarna, you can:
Pay Now: Complete your purchase immediately using your card or bank account.
Pay Later: Try before you buy and pay up to 30 days later.
Pay Over Time: Split your purchase into manageable interest-free installments.*

*Payment options through Klarna are subject to eligibility. Learn more about Klarna here.

How do I transition from pottery classes to an open-studio membership?

Completing a 12-week course or a week-long intensive gives you the technical and safety grounding needed to join us as an independent member. To help with that transition, we offer an Accelerated Learning Package (ALP), which is a one-time £100 discount off your first month of membership (or any upfront subscription longer than three months).

The essential rules for the ALP:

  • Qualifying Courses: You must be currently enrolled in an 8-week, 12-week, or intensive course. (Taster and introductory classes are not eligible).
  • Eligible Studios: This offer is valid at our Leyton and Hoxton studios only; it is not available for Highgate.
  • Timing: Your membership must start within one month of your course ending.

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I’ve booked a place on a course, but can no longer make it. Can I get a refund?

Once a place has been booked, the fees are non-refundable. However, if we are still able to sell your place to another student before the course starts, we’ll be happy to swap your place over and refund your fees. We’ll do our best, though you’ll understand we can’t make any promises.

I missed one class. Can I do an extra lesson to catch up?

On most courses, you should be able to catch up in your next lesson. The first few and last few lessons are the most crucial lessons as that’s when you’ll learn how to get started and when you’ll finish your projects. It is important not to miss these. It is not possible to catch up on a class or sit in on a lesson on a different course. To make sure that you make the most of your course, it is very important that you make sure that you can make all the class dates before you sign up to a course.

I finished my course. When can I collect my finished pots?

You should wait at least 2 weeks after your last lesson before coming to collect your class pots. Please note that you won’t receive an email from our team when your work will be ready to collect. You’ll have to collect your work within 2 months of ending your course. Our studios are busy with a continuous stream of new students and we do not have the space to store your pots for any longer than that.

I have no previous experience in pottery. Which courses are best suited for me?

‍All our courses, with the exception of those advertised as ‘intermediate’, are suitable for students of all levels. You don’t need any previous experience of ceramics to join the course and get stuck in. We do get many students who do our courses more than once - while they have the basic skills, they use the course to refine their technique and get some more practice under the guidance of a teacher. And of course there is the social aspect of being part of a group and learning together.

More info available in our full Student FAQ