Regular schools have been held at Brookhouse Pottery since 1980. The professional workshops are fully equipped and spacious and can accommodate students with ease. The two week schools offer an intensive, structured program and are limited to small groups of up to ten students.
David tutors the course each day with Margaret joining in between domestic organisation and the general running of the school.
This school concentrates during the first week on all aspects of making. Each student has a power wheel and David's skills as a thrower are soon evident in enabling the learner to develop. The excellent clay body which is made at the workshop proves its worth and students rapidly extend their abilities.
An ‘in depth’ adventure into the methods and techniques of creative throwing. This will include the making and turning of flatware and the forming of hollow ware for the application of handles, spouts and lids. The throwing of forms in two pieces and the mastery of larger pieces with the ‘throw and coil’ technique can be learnt. David’s skills are at their foremost with the relationship of faceted and beaten forms being explored and the interplay of decoration upon them.
The extruder is used to produce trays, dishes and boxes etc. and students are encouraged to develop their own ideas. Slabbed and pressed ware is also made. Attention to handles, surface decoration, faceting, incising and fluting are used over a wide range of forms including teapots.
During the weekend bisque firings take place so that the second week concentrates on the important aspect of glazing, decorating and reduction firing. The techniques used are a combination of wax resist with overglazing and glaze trailing, and brushwork using coloured pigments over various glazes. Glaze tests and development can be explored. Students are encouraged to combine innovative approaches with traditional techniques.
 |
The glazes in use are celadons, kakis, tenmokus and iron bearing glazes. There are several gas kilns and the students can be involved in the kiln packing and firing of their work. Emphasis wherever possible is given to the basic understanding of raw materials, the use of workshop equipment, glaze technology and kiln firing. Discussion groups take place and influences and personal approaches are assessed. A total approach to encompass the potter’s art. |
The school begins each Monday morning and ends each Friday at 5pm. Tuition hours are from 9am until 5pm daily. Work may be continued in the evening until 7pm.
A splendid four course lunch is prepared daily (Mon-Fri). Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided mid-morning and afternoon.
The intervening weekend will provide the students with a welcome break and the opportunity to explore the local area in order to return for the second week with renewed vigour.
We will endeavour to glaze fire twelve medium pieces of work for each student. Any remaining work may be taken away to fire at home.
Students are asked to bring working overalls or apron, hand towel, note pad and their own tools although a good selection of tools are available in the workshop. Photographs or drawings of earlier work may be brought for appraisal if wished.
Cameras are welcome in the workshop - but please no video cameras.
Holiday insurance is recommended as fees are only refundable up to eight weeks prior to school commencement.
The price of the two week school is £895.00. Accommodation costs not included.
There is camping space available in the garden for tents and caravans etc., with kitchen, toilet and shower facilities in the pottery.
The list of suggested accommodation includes some places offering bed and breakfast only and others where an evening meal is available.
Brookhouse Mill Tavern serves bar snacks and evening meals at a reasonable price and is conveniently close to the workshop. There are several restaurants in Denbigh which is approximately one mile away. Alternatively students may use the workshop kitchen.
A list of local Bed & Breakfast accommodation is available on request.
1. Monday 9 July - Friday 21 July
2. Monday 3 September - Friday 14 September