Throwing for Beginners with Joss Hibbs (5 week course - Wednesday Evenings)

Join MAKE Southwest member Joss Hibbs of Powdermills Pottery for a 5-week ceramic throwing course for absolute beginners!

Learn all of the basic techniques needed to throw a pot on our new ceramic throwing wheels! 

This course is designed for absolute beginners, and no previous experience is necessary.

Participants will learn the fundamentals of wheel throwing, using approximately 1 lb (450 g) of clay to create their pieces.

Course Outline:

Week 1 (9 Sept) – Introduction, centering and throwing cylinders

Week 2 (16 Sept) - Introduction to bellies, lips, galleries and handles

Week 3 (23 Sept) – Throwing bowls, lids and an introduction to turning

Week 4 (28 Sept) – Designing and making parts for your final pot

Week 5 (7 Oct) – Assembling and completing your final pot

You will choose x1 of your pieces to be fired, glazed and taken home.

Collection: Your work will be ready for collection within two - four weeks after the last class and we will hold your work for a further month. Unfortunately, due to limited storage space, we cannot keep your work beyond this time.

New Ceramic Skills Opportunity Coming to Riverside Mill

Bovey Tracey Town Council is partnering with MAKE Southwest to offer new ceramic skills learning opportunities at the historic Riverside Mill. The project builds on the town’s strong pottery heritage and addresses a clear lack of specialist ceramic facilities for local schools, community groups, and emerging makers.

The new space will be equipped with ceramic wheels and professional tools, enabling a programme of workshops, school sessions, and hands-on experiences led by expert makers. These activities will support skills development, creativity, wellbeing, and progression into further learning or employment. They will also enhance Bovey Tracey’s growing reputation as a centre for craft and help preserve specialist craft skills for future generations.