Summary

Students will produce work with a wide variety of clays, techniques, ideas and glazes. You will have access to electric kilns for earthenware and gas-fired kilns for stoneware. Keep all work for the Summer Adult Education Exhibition and possible external exhibition. Tools are provided. Explore sculptural ceramics and non-functional forms. Develop your ideas and your own practice through flexible projects – each term will have a theme that can be interpreted individually. Develop mould-making processes, abstract and figurative work and decorative surfaces, and explore basic paper clay techniques. Throughout the course, the practical, material tuition will be supported by in-depth art history and theory presentations, with access to specialist books and magazines. Emily Joy is a ceramicist, sculptor and installation artist based at Stroud Valleys Artspace. She teaches sculptural ceramics in the art school at the Stroud campus. Since 2008 she has taught adults’ ceramic sculpture classes, children’s pottery classes and masterclasses in mould making, casting and paper clay. Emily has a first class BA Hons in Ceramics and Painting and a Fine Art Sculpture MA, allowing her to provide her students with a broad range of practical skills, materials experience and theoretical knowledge. Work is paid for by weight once completed and before firings, so this is an extra cost associated with the course. General tools are provided, but new tools are available to buy if required.

How will I know how I am doing?

You will learn by observing demonstrations, through regular tutorials and group discussions and by exploring new techniques with expert support. You will have access to specialist magazines and books, the internet and the library. You will learn a great deal by experimenting and recording your own progress. You will have access to a dedicated specialist tutor and technician who will help you throughout the course. Your tutor will always check your progress and help you with technical solutions, also offering regular one-to-one tutorials. The class will participate in informal group evaluations and there is also the opportunity to exhibit in a local gallery, which will provide feedback from the public.

What do I need to join?

No formal qualifications are necessary, but some ceramics experience is necessary as this is not a course for complete beginners. You should have had at least one term in the ceramics class (Aimee Lax) or equivalent. Bring a notebook and pen for recording ideas, your work and technical details, a protective shirt, inspirational material such as photos, and examples of previous work.

What can I do next?

You can return to the class to improve your skills and develop your practice, or join another class.