Wheelforming Techniques for Beginners

In this hands-on course, Issy Parker will guide students in developing a strong material understanding of clay and learning the fundamentals of throwing on the potter’s wheel. You will be taught how to centre clay, lift and shape forms, and trim finished pieces to create cups, bowls, jugs and vases.

This course is open to all levels and is designed to warmly welcome students who are new to wheel forming. If you’re just starting out, you’ll find a supportive environment that helps you build confidence step by step. For more experienced students, the course offers space to refine technique, strengthen foundational skills, and explore new approaches to vessel-making.

Drawing on traditional wheel-forming methods, you will develop a solid technical base that supports both functional and sculptural outcomes. You’ll discover how these two modes of making can work together, and how form, structure and material can shape your creative decisions.

By the end of the course, you will have established a foundational wheel-forming skillset and gained the confidence to create vessels with strong architectural form independently. Students who complete this studio intensive will also have had the opportunity to expand their personal creative expression and begin building a deeper technical understanding of ceramics.

All clay is provided and selected pieces will be bisque fired in the NAS kilns after the workshop. Glazing short courses are offered in the Term One and Term Two programs.

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 between 15 - 17 years old.

* 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.

• Notebook to jot down notes and ideas
• Old towel
• Protective clothing (such as old shirt or apron) and covered footwear
• Any ceramic tools that you may already have
• We recommend students bring a P2 KN95 disposable mask
• All clay and other materials are provided
• Enclosed footwear is essential in all studios on campus.

Issy Parker is a Sydney-based ceramic artist and educator. Her practice embodies the play between intent and surrender and explores the balance between nature’s process and the artist’s hand, organically creating lively and distinct vessels. A graduate of the National Art School (BFA Ceramics, 2019), Parker has been recognised through awards including finalist in the Shelley Simpson Ceramic Prize, the Mansfield Gulgong International Festival Ceramic Award and finalist in the Michael Reid National Emerging Artist Prize. Her work is held by Craft Victoria and Hake House of Art, and has been featured in Artist Profile, The Design Files, Vogue Living, and by YSG Studio. Alongside her studio practice, she teaches ceramics to both adults and children.