Hand-Building Contemporary Ceramics

Explore the art of hand-building in clay, where you'll create contemporary ceramic objects ranging from enhanced vessels to expressive figurative sculptures. Drawing inspiration from diverse ceramic traditions and contemporary artists, you’ll develop unique responses in clay while honing your technical skills.

Tina Wheatley teaches the fundamental hand-building techniques—including coil, pinch, and slab construction—while experimenting with texture, surface decoration, and glazing. The course will introduce essential tools and methods for joining, hollowing, and refining forms, as well as decorative techniques such as impressions, sprigs, and sgraffito.

Designed to foster both creativity and skill development, Tina offers a structured yet supportive environment where students can explore their artistic voice. She gives individual feedback and leads group discussions, providing valuable insight and inspiration throughout the course. All clay is provided and selected works will be fired in the NAS kilns.

* Please note: The course is not held on Saturday 6 September due to the NAS Open Day. The course will continue the following Saturday. You are welcome to attend the NAS Open Day with friends, family and colleagues.

* The course fee incorporates the cost for materials such as clay.

* NAS Short Courses are open to students of ages 16 years and over. The NAS Art Club is open to students from ages 15 years and over. 

* What to bring? Please refer to the list of required materials in the Art Materials field below. 

Students must supply their own art materials, please refer to the list below.

• Reference material eg photos, drawings etc
• A4 sketch pad or artist’s diary
• Drawing materials
• Towel and protective clothes (old shirt or apron) 
• Any ceramics tools that you may already have 
• All clay and other materials are provided 
• We recommend students bring a P2 KN95 disposable mask 
• Enclosed footwear is essential in all studios on campus. 

Tina Wheatley is a Sydney-based artist working on Dharawal Country in South Western Sydney. Her interdisciplinary practice combines textile-based craft techniques such as knitting and crochet with ceramic processes including wheel-throwing, hand-building, and slip casting. Her work explores abstracted bodily forms and classical vessels, engaging with themes of time, care, strength, and vulnerability.

Tina holds a Master of Fine Art (Ceramics) from the National Art School (2023), where she received graduate awards from The Australian Ceramics Association and Kil.n.it Experimental Ceramics Studio. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Creative Arts from the University of Wollongong, and a Bachelor of Teaching from Western Sydney University.

She has extensive experience as an arts educator, working with schools, councils, galleries, and community organisations across Western Sydney to deliver creative learning programs. In 2024, she held her first solo exhibition, Burnout, and has exhibited in group shows and prizes including the 2024 Muswellbrook Art Prize, Held (The Australian Ceramics Association), and multiple times in the Fisher’s Ghost Art Award.