Introduction to Wild Clay
Date: 4 week short course - Friday 16th January - Friday 6th February 2026.
Time: 13:30am - 15:30pm
Teacher: Kim Kish
Fee: £110.00
This short course is designed for anyone interested in learning how to work with wild, locally sourced clay as a material. Most commercial clays available today have gone through extensive industrial processing- they are mined, refined, and often blended with materials from various regions or even from around the world.
By exploring and working with local wild clay, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the material in its natural form and its unique characteristics, its challenges, and why commercial clays have added materials for stability, firing consistency, and glaze compatibility.
We will focus on the direct experience of gathering, preparing, and testing wild clay. You’ll learn:
What defines local clay and how to identify potential sources
Ethical and safe methods for collecting clay — including what not to take and how to respect public land
How to prepare and test samples for firing
How clay behaves at different firing temperatures
How wild clay can be used to create slips, glazes or your clay body
By the end of the course, you’ll have a hands-on understanding of wild clay’s natural properties and methodical approach to working with local clay.
This course is suitable for anyone, be it a potter, artist, curious gardener, or those who enjoy getting their hands dirty.
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BOOK THE COURSE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
WHAT TO WEAR / BRING WITH YOU:
Wear old clothing and closed toe shoes, shirts which you can roll up your sleeves- you will get dirty. We recommend to bring a full-length apron which you can wash at home. You may also want to bring a small hand towel.
PAYMENT / IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
The cost of this course includes all tools, materials and equipment but does not include the cost of firing. Payments must be made in full in order to book a course. The cost of firing will be charged at £7.00 per 1kg for fired ceramics (for example a cup is about a £1).
You can only book through our online booking system below. All courses will be displayed here so it’s worth checking back often to see if spaces have opened up or any new courses have been added.
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Please ensure you can attend the class you have booked as we cannot offer refunds less than 14 days notice unless we are able to fill your place with another student, please get in touch and we will do our best. Once courses begin we cannot issue refunds. All of our courses are full so we are not able to offer make up classes or switch into other class dates. It’s important that you are able to attend the first 2 sessions as these are progressive classes.
We reserve the right to cancel our courses, taster sessions and workshops. We will endeavour to book you onto an alternative course or offer a refund.
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