Clay Shed Bristol

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Clay Shed Bristol

We’re a co-working ceramic studio in Bristol founded by professional ceramic artists.
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We provide pottery classes, studio membership, artist residencies and group events. Our facilities include potters wheels, kilns and communal group working spaces.

15/06/2026

- AUTUMN TERM DATES ARE LIVE - all of our 6 week courses beginning in September are now available.

ALL LEVELS POTTERY
Designed for both beginners and experiences potters. Covering hand-building, wheel throwing and surface decoration techniques.
Taught by .studio

BEGINNERS THROWING
Suitable for complete beginners and those looking to refresh or practice foundation skills - our 6 week course offers a welcoming and supportive environment designed to build confidence and skills.
Taught by

IMPROVERS THROWING
Already confident centering clay and throwing basic forms? Our improvers throwing course is designed for students with previous wheel -throwing experiencewho are looking to refine skills and improve consistency.
Taught by

Book via our website.

09/06/2026

We'd like to introduce out newest member of the Technician team, Conner Gard .

Conner is a recent graduate of Bristol School of Art.

'Throughout my life, building with clay has entered my artistic practice without much consideration.

Scattered around my home are pinch pots, ashtrays, random sculptures, even a few vases which remain from my time at SGS college back in 2012. I uncovered a passion for ceramics 10 years later during my time at the Bristol School of Art. What started as a silly idea to create shot glasses and a container for liqueur, quickly escalated into a series of large vases.

I found myself able to use clay to hand build by layering coils and forming the shape as the peice grew. As a graffiti writer/painter I saw the vase as a functional 3D canvas in which I could project my voice upon - and was captivated.

Since graduating from the Bristol School of Art in 2024, I've been producing work on my dining table in search of a space to grow. I have now been welcomed into a fabulous group of people and have finally found the place where I can truly excel. I wish to take advantage of the brilliant minds, equipment, and freedom that Clay Shed offers. I aim to learn as much as I can and create astounding art which can stand the test of time.'

We're thrilled to welcome Conner to the studio. We can't wait to see how his practice develops during his time here.

02/06/2026

Whether you've never touched clay before or you're looking to build confidence and develop your existing skills, our All Levels Pottery course is designed to give you the time, space and support to grow at your own pace.

Over six weeks, complete beginners will learn the fundamentals of making with clay, while more experienced potters can use the sessions to refine techniques, tackle new challenges and push their work further with personalised guidance. You can explore wheel throwing and handbuilding techniques, gaining a broad understanding of clay and the many ways it can be shaped and transformed. You'll discover the methods that excite you the most!

One of the joys of a mixed-level class is learning alongside others, sharing ideas and celebrating each other's progress (just look at those happy faces)! Every potter arrives with different goals, and we love to help each person find their own creative direction.

Starting on 10th June, this course offers a welcoming, supportive studio environment where experimentation is encouraged and skills develop naturally with practise; taught by the excellent Erika Faggiani .studio

Whether you're hoping to make your first bowl, perfect a favourite form, or simply spend more time at the wheel, we'd love to have you join us.

📅 Commencing 10th June 10am - 12.30pm
🏺 Suitable for all levels, from complete beginners to experienced makers
✨ Small class sizes and plenty of individual guidance
✏ Book via link in bio - Pottery Courses

01/06/2026

Watching Jo Taylor build a large scale vessel section by section is a brilliant reminder that throwing bigger doesn't always mean throwing heavier. By working in manageable parts and joining them together, potters can achieve impressive height and presence without wrestling with huge amounts of clay all at once.

For anyone who has ever felt limited by the amount of clay they can comfortably centre and throw, this approach opens up exciting new possibilities. It's a practical, accessible way to explore scale while developing precision, confidence and creative freedom.

Join us on 20th - 21st June for Throwing Bigger: Multi-Section Throwing with Jo Taylor, a two-day masterclass exploring the techniques behind constructing large ceramic forms from multiple thrown sections. Through demonstrations, hands-on making and plenty of individual guidance, you'll learn how to plan, throw, refine and seamlessly join sections, as well as add decorative details that bring character to your work.

With just one place remaining, this is a rare opportunity to learn from an acclaimed ceramic artist in an intimate group setting of only five participants.

📍 Clay Shed, Bristol
📅 20th - 21st June
🏺 Suitable for those who can control form and wall thickness. No prior experience with large forms is required - guidance will be provided throughout.
✨ Only 1 place left

20/05/2026

- LAST FEW SPACES - on our 6 week courses beginning this June in the shed.

Want to learn a new skill? Fancy reconnecting with your creative self? Ready to challenge yourself further? Then join us this June - there are still a few remaining spaces on some of our courses suitable for all levels and abilities.

ALL LEVELS POTTERY
Designed for both beginners and experiences potters. Covering hand-building, wheel throwing and surface decoration techniques.
Taught by .studio

BEGINNERS THROWING
Suitable for complete beginners and those looking to refresh or practice foundation skills - our 6 week course offers a welcoming and supportive environment designed to build confidence and skills.
Taught by

IMPROVERS THROWING
Already confident centering clay and throwing basic forms? Our improvers throwing course is designed for students with previous wheel-throwing experience who are looking to refine skills and improve consistency.
Taught by

Book via our website.

19/05/2026

A well deserved shout out to our technician Elsa ! She's just completed a gorgeous commission for Kafi , London - a series of 8oz cups and saucers, each glazed in her own signature recipe.

Next time you're in the city, go treat yourself to a coffee in one of her pieces.

28/04/2026

A few highlights from our Throwing & Turning Porcelain workshop with the brilliant Jo Davies . Across two packed days, potters pushed their limits, experimented with new techniques and embraced the inherent characteristics of porcelain.

From wedging and throwing on day one to refining, trimming and turning on day two... the studio was alive with focus and creativity. Cylinders, bowls, plates, carafes and even lampshades were attempted.

Jo’s expert guidance (as always) gave everyone the confidence to explore porcelain’s unique qualities, from precision trimming to achieving lightness and translucency. We loved it

23/04/2026

A selection of recent work made by our exceptional students, across all our 6 week courses. Our new yellow oatmeal glaze is bringing some serious, zingy vibes.

Join us in June for our next round of courses. Limited spaces remaining.

15/04/2026

Come with curiosity or come with a project in mind

Our Wednesday All Level Pottery course gives you time, space and a skilled tutor to help you make what you want to make. Suitbale for complete beginners and anyone looking for space to make with support.

+6 Weeks
+2.5 hours per session
+7 students - more 1:1 time with your tutor

Essential Pottery Skills:
+Handbuilding - pinching, coiling & slab construction
+Wheel throwing - centring, pulling walls &
forming shapes
+Surface decoration - use slips and oxides to add design, patttern & texture
+Kiln firing - glaze and take home finished pieces

Lead by industry specialist Erika Faggiani .studio

📍Clay Shed, Bristol
🗓Wednesday 22nd April - Wednesday 27th May and Wednesday 10th June - Wednesday 15th July
⏰10am - 12:30pm
£225

14/04/2026

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Mischa to Clay Shed for her work placement as part of her Creative Arts Practice degree at Bath Spa University . During her time with us, Mischa threw herself into studio life - unloading kilns, glazing pieces, prepping clay for our courses, making reclaim batts and helping Alice run one of our throwing taster sessions. She was a brilliant addition to the team.

Mischa's own practice centres on researching and testing crystalline glazes. In her own words: "I take inspiration from organic forms and natural subjects, which has led to a particular interest in the process of crystal growth - exploring how subtle variations in process can produce vastly different outcomes." you can see some of her results in this post.

Good luck with the rest of your studies, Mischa - we can't wait to see how your work develops between now and your degree show in 2027!

Address

Unit 6, Lawrence Hill Industrial Estate, Russell Town Avenue
Bristol
BS59LT

Website

http://www.clayshed.co.uk/

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