SOLD OUT – EVENING COURSE: Pottery Through Woodwork with Tom Philipson

Join Tom Philipson, Director of Making on this 6-week course as he guides you through the techniques he has developed to make ceramics through woodworking.

Over six-weeks, Tom will guide you through the making process from start-to-finish with each participant leaving the course with the skills and knowledge required to make your own pottery at home.

Session 1: Introduction, 20th April 6pm – 8pm
An introduction to the materials you’ll be using over the six-week course with demonstrations on mould making and bowl moulding.

Session 2: Mould Making, 27th April 6pm – 8pm
Guiding you through turning, carving  you’ll make your own moulds and learn how to form the clay in them to get a clean finish.

Session 3: Chisel Sharpening, 4th May 6pm – 8pm
Releasing your bowls from their moulds, you’ll be taught how to trim-up by hand and finish your bowls before firing. You’ll also learn how to properly sharpen your chisel!

Session 4: Scorching Demonstration, 11th May 6pm – 8pm
Demonstrating the scorching process which draws out the natural grain of the wood, this is an additional technique that will create unique patterns across your bowls surface. You’ll also learn about the firing process.

Session 5: Free Making, 18th May 6pm – 8pm
Continuing with firing, you’ll learn how to glaze the pots you’ve made. This session will also be an opportunity to make more of your own moulds under Tom’s guidance.

Session 6: Free Making, 25th May 6pm – 8pm
Time to continue to make your own moulds and bowls under Tom’s tuition. The course will then close with time to share your results and get feedback from the group.

About the Tutor:

Tom Philipson is a skilled and innovative maker with over three decades of experience. Trained in cabinet making and furniture restoration, he joined Grizedale Arts full-time in 2021, having worked on many of our previous projects including architecture schools, artist’s commissions, on-line making workshops and the ‘Dream of Kiwanosato’ in rural Japan.

He has led the refurbishment of The Farmer’s Arms – a listed building – since April 2021, preserving unique historic components throughout and working on the redesign of the cafe space and bedrooms using up-cycled, reclaimed and bespoke furnishings throughout. Many of Tom’s wares are available in the Honest Shop at The Farmer’s Arms.

You can take a look at Tom’s online teaching (from lockdown times) on our Youtube channel here. His Instagram is also an excellent source of inspiration.