Get to grips with the Potter’s wheel course

In this 6 week overview of throwing techniques for beginners, you will learn how to use a potter’s wheel (throwing) and how to glaze your own pots. At the end of the course, you will be able to identify and select appropriate techniques and processes to make simple cups and bowls.

Our Throwing Courses provide a focused environment for developing your skills on the potter’s wheel. These courses are ideal for those eager to refine their technique or explore new forms.

Our Offerings:

Mixed Ability Wheel Throwing Ceramics Course

In this 6-week mixed-ability course, you will build confidence and refine your skills on the potter’s wheel. Designed for those already comfortable with throwing, the course follows a self-diagnostic approach, with demos and guidance from your tutor to support your practice. By the end, you will have strengthened your understanding of core techniques to advance your pottery journey. In Week 6, you will have the opportunity to decorate and glaze your work using Sunken Studio’s range of dipping glazes.

Improvers Throwing on the Potters wheel

Refresh and refine your throwing skills in this 6 week course - revisit, and sample new throwing and glazing techniques. You will explore how to make a variety of forms using a range of techniques and processes. Sessions will include demonstrations to encourage independent surface, form, material and design experiments. At the end of the course, you will be able to solve problems to make increasingly complex, robust and refined functional pots.

AcroYoga

AcroYoga is a dynamic partner practice that blends the wisdom of yoga, the dynamic power of acrobatics, and the loving kindness of healing arts. These three lineages form the foundation of a partner practice that cultivates trust, playfulness, and community.

This session is primarily a jam session, where you can practice and play together.

For beginners there will also be some time at the start of this session where a couple of people will work with beginners to help for the first hour or so.

Darktown Comes to Print Town - Exhibition Launch

Join us in welcoming the artist Jonny Hannah to Otley. 

His new exhibition of screen prints, posters and artworks opens with an evening of refreshments and Jonny on the decks playing the records that inspire his eclectic artwork. 

Taking his influences from a range of sources, Jonny has explored a unique mix of folk tales, jazz, Americana and pop culture to create a personal vision of the world. 

Jonny is a designer and illustrator who also makes work as Cake & Ale Press.

Yoga @ Open Source Arts

All-levels, holistic yoga sessions. Expect a slow flow which blends movement, meditation and breath work.

Our focus in these practices is enhancing strength and flexibility whilst deepening our connection with ourselves and the natural world so that we can cultivate a greater sense of ease, presence and belonging.

Classes end with nourishing deep rest.

This will be an extended Yoga Nidra* on the last Friday of each month.

Everyone welcome, just as you are – including beginners.

Make a Glaze Course

Learn about glazes in this practical course focused on mixing your own brushing glazes from raw materials. By the end of the course, you'll have at least five glazes to use, along with the knowledge and experience to mix more independently. 

Figurative Ceramics for Beginners Course

Join Fernanda Cortes for a 4-day immersive workshop on figurative ceramics, designed for those with some prior experience in handbuilding. Explore the expressive potential of the human form in clay through presentations, interactive discussions, and hands-on demos. Learn idea development, sculpting techniques, texturing, and documentation. Receive personalised feedback and create a detailed figurative sculpture. 

Prerequisites: beginners' knowledge in handbuilding.