Courses

Potstop currently runs the following courses...

Potstop courses are suitable for complete beginners and for those already experienced in working with clay. There are endless possibilities for creating your own functional pottery or sculptural ceramics. It’s really enjoyable, relaxing and totally absorbing.

2024 Courses

We will introduce you to hand-building including coiling, slab work, moulding and sculptural techniques and if you fancy trying your hand at wheel thrown work, prepare to have fun and make a bit of a mess!
Decorative possibilities are infinite and we will explore colour and design to complement your work.

FEES
Due to recent rental increase from Bristol City Council and service increases, we are having to put our fees up to £170 -inclusive of materials – for each 6-week block starting SUMMER TERMs 2024*
We do require £25 deposit to secure your place
This means we will run two 6-week blocks in each Autumn,Spring and Summer Term. (See dates at the very bottom of this page)
This gives the option of doing 6 or 12 weeks or alternating every other 6 weeks. However we try to prioritise those on the waiting list.

We will continue to run 6-week courses, small party groups, children’s Saturday clay club and Masterclasses.

DAY COURSES
Tuesday morning 10-12.30
Tuesday afternoon 2-4.30
Wednesday morning 10.30-1.00
Wednesday afternoon 2-4.30
Thursday morning 10-12.30

EVENING COURSES
Monday: 6-8.30
Tuesday: 6-8.30
Wednesday: 6-8.30
Thursday: 6.30-9.00

SATURDAY COURSES 10-12.30

FEES *The cost of each 6 weeks course is £170 *
We do ask for £25.00 deposit to secure your place.

*We are not subsidised so unfortunately we are unable to offer concessions.

*MISSED CLASSES *.If classes are missed due to illness or unavoidable work commitments we try to offer times to make them up providing they are with the same tutor and within the same term. This is negotiable with the tutors, as we are small groups in a small space!

*The Monday and Thursday evening courses are now run by Neil Whitehead. If deposit cheques are still being used, please make them payable to Neil Whitehead. (even though Phil’s name is still on the booking form for those days! However bank transfer payments are preferred. **

Children's Clay Club

The Clay Club is held on Saturday afternoons 1.30 – 3.00pm and is an opportunity for children to come along and play with clay at the workshop.
Why not model your own farmyard, alien planet, jungle or football pitch…the list is endless.
Adults accompanying children are welcome too.

Cost £10 per child.
For further information and if you wish to attend a session, call Neil 0781 486 2159
Neil is advanced CRB checked.

What the kid’s have said:

“Pottery is great.”
“In the morning I“m sad and then I know it’s pottery and I feel happy.”
“I look forward to how the things I make are going to turn out.”

2.5 Hour Master Classes

This 2.5 hour masterclass for 2 people. It is an ideal opportunity for beginners to experience making pots on the wheel with expert tuition. Each person will achieve 3-4 pieces which we glaze according to your choice of finish – this is most popular!

OR you can use it as an opportunity to hone pottery skills that you may have already acquired to achieve an idea using hand building techniques. We can suggest lots of inspiring ideas to create figurative, sculptural or functional pieces and there is a wide selection of colourful and decorative possibilities to choose from.

All pottery requires two firings a bisque and a glaze before it is ready for collection in approx 2 weeks.

The cost for 2.5 hr. masterclass is £135 for 2 people including materials, glazing and firings costs.

We will be holding Masterclasses on:
Saturdays from 6.00-8.30pm
Sundays 10.00-12.30 or 2-4.30

We require a £30 deposit to secure a booking.

h1. What people have said:

“Thank you so much for a truly great afternoon, we both enjoyed it immensely. Your expertise in sharing your skills and experience and encouraging 2 total beginners to actually produce something that looks both functional and beautiful in such a short time is AMAZING!”

My girlfriend and I came along for a pottery master class and I just wanted to say, on behalf of us both, that we have wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed it. Neil was an excellent host and made us feel really welcome, allowing us to express the inner potter, apparently hiding inside both of us. _ Nicholas_

“Thanks again – we both really enjoyed it.” Simon

“It was really good and we were very excited about seeing how our work had turned out – thanks.” Jo

Home Education

Neil no longer runs Home Education for Children during the week, but you are welcome to bring your Kids along to Children’s Clay Club on a Saturday afternoon.
Neil’s contact number 0781 486 2159

Term dates for all courses

Term Week Beginning Week ending
SPRING TERM 2024 2nd 6-WEEKS W/C Mon Feb 26th W/E Sat April 6th
SUMMER TERM 2024 1st 6-WEEKS W/C Mon April 29th W/E Sat June 8th
SUMMER TERM 2024 2nd 6-WEEKS W/C Mon June 17th W/E Sat July 27th
AUTUMN TERM 2024 1st 6-WEEKS W/C Mon Sept 16th W/E Sat Oct 26th
AUTUMN TERM 2024 2nd 6-WEEKS W/C Mon Nov.4th W/E Sat Dec 14th