Refining Form: Throwing & Trimming Workshop with Sam Ward (RESCHEDULED)

NEW DATES TBC

Join ceramic artist Sam Ward for a two-day workshop exploring sculptural and expressive forms on the pottery wheel.
Stepping beyond the purely functional, we’ll dive into unique shapes, surfaces, and concepts across two Sundays in February.

You’ll learn how to create larger, more sculptural wheel-thrown forms while experimenting with trimming, joining, and decorating techniques that add depth, character, scale and individuality to your work. Along the way, Sam will share his favourite tools, methods, and insights to help you refine your style and approach the wheel as a tool for creative expression.

Day 1: Ideation & Throwing

• Develop your ideas, and define a concept or theme you want to express through your pieces.
• Hands-on demonstration with Sam on pushing the boundaries of wheel-throwing to make larger and more sculptural forms.
• Create several forms of your own, applying new techniques and ideas.

Day 2: Trimming, Assembling & Finishing

• Demonstration on trimming with precision and purpose, achieving sharp lines and smooth curves.
• Assemble and join leather-hard sections to create larger sculptural works.
• Gain practical tips for finishing, drying, and glazing your pieces — and managing cracks or other challenges. As well as time for a bit of group review and feedback.

After the workshop you can choose to have the work bisque-fired at the studio and come back to glaze in a couple of weeks (standard firing and studio access fees apply), or you can take it home with you to complete.

Please note this is an intermediate/advanced workshop, for the best learning experience you should be comfortable centering at least around 1kg of clay on the wheel. Please reach out directly if you have any questions about this.

What to Bring:

• ~10kg of your preferred clay (studio clay available for purchase — we recommend a clay with at least some grog, e.g. Keane’s Stoneware 33) You could bring multiple clays types to work with.
• A plate of food to share for our communal lunch each day (please label for dietary info: meat, dairy, gluten, etc.).
• Your pottery toolkit
• Apron
• Notebook and pen

About Sam
Sam Ward is a ceramic artist and designer with over six years of experience in wheel-throwing and sculptural techniques. With a background in graphic design and a curiosity-driven approach, Sam’s work explores geometry, play, and the expressive potential of clay — pushing the organic expectations of the medium toward something more architectural and punctuated.

Spaces are limited — book now to secure your spot!
More about your tutor: samward.com.au/ceramics

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.