Wheelforming Techniques

Learn how to throw pots with a strong architectural form to create objects of simplicity and beauty. Explore the basic structures, movements and techniques of wheelforming in this hands-on course and become proficient on the potter’s wheel.

The course is suitable for students of all levels and abilities – Joseph Purtle gives group demonstrations, as well as one-to-one tuition to students starting out on the wheel.

Selected pieces will be fired in the NAS kilns after the workshop. Please note, it may take up to four weeks after your course ends for works to be available for collection. We will notify you when they are ready for pick up.

* 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. 

Joseph Purtle’s practice focuses on wheelthrowing and expressive high-temperature glazes, exploring variations in the firing atmospheres of gas and wood kilns.

He has been the winner of the FONAS award (2012), the Kerrie Lowe Gallery Award (2013), and the Ashley Dawson-Damer Award for Excellence in Ceramics (2013). He has exhibited at Kerrie Lowe Gallery, Mils Gallery, Rex-Livingston Art + Objects, and the Sogetsu ikebana exhibition at the Botanic Gardens.

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

• Towel and protective clothes (old shirt or apron) 
• Notebook and pencils/pens 
• 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.