Pottery is one of those crafts that has come full circle. It teaches you valuable life skills—perseverance, patience and determination. And it's one of those skills you always say you want to learn but never do; oh, to be a mud manipulator and eat from plates that you created with your bare hands.
Well, now you can, because we've hunted down six of the best Gold Coast pottery workshops you can join in 2023. Go on, get your hands dirty.
Stone Studio
Currumbin & Kingscliff
is centred around the philosophy of sharing and it’s their mission to share the joy of ceramics, encourage creativity and build community. Yes, it’s as wholesome as it sounds. Located in both Currumbin and Kingscliff, this community pottery studio and cafe offers an array of workshops and studio access for potters of all skill levels. Stone Studio is run by the incredibly passionate husaband and wife duo, Brad and Jennifer. Jennifer says pottery has changed her life and she is inspired to share the experience with others, and her enthusiasm for this craft is evident in every aspect of Stone Studio.
No matter what kind of pottery experience you’re after, there’s something for you here; from pottery workshops for kids, wheel throwing and hand building to more advanced four- and six-week courses, there’s plenty to spark your inner creativity. You'll be well nourished with top-notch , a delicious breakfast and lunch menu and a beer and natural wine selection. Stone Studio also boasts a membership program with studio access seven days a week for local makers. Want to dip your toe in? Stone Studio has their next four-week short course 'Intro to Pottery' classes starting next month—check out .
POT Studios
Tugun
Located in Tugun, this stunning pottery studio provides the perfect environment for bringing out your inner creative. Run by incredibly knowledgeable potter Cindy, start with the and build up from there. They’re ideal for pottery beginners looking to get their hands in clay and get creative, where you can make gems including mugs, teapots, fruit bowls, vases and more.
As well as private and group lessons, also hold ‘Date Night’ sessions where you and your love can channel your inner Swayze and Moore over a crash course in wheel throwing…with the lights down low, of course.
Firebird Studios
Burleigh Heads
is a community-based pottery studio that is all about having fun and simply embracing the beautiful yet finnicky medium that is clay. The pottery studio offers a variety of wheel, hand building and 'Sip and Clay' workshops, multi-week courses and 'Community Clay'; a time when you are able to use the open studio as your own space and create to your heart's desire.
You can even book out the space and host your own private pottery party. Hands down, is one of the Gold Coast's best pottery studios.
The Craft Parlour
Miami
is the sweetest studio in Miami where you can do an array of workshops and hold events, resulting in a space to throw caution to the wind and get all creative. Popping up from time to time amongst a rotating roster of various creative classes—including resin art to jewellery making, macramé to soap making and more—you’ll find hosted by talented local creatives generously sharing their skills.
Whether it be learning the fundamentals of pinch potting and coiling, to the philosophy of working with Mother Earth and understanding how clay works and feels between your fingers. They’re even known to host the occasional sip and paint-on-pottery class, where BYO vino and cheese platters are encouraged—perfect for the first timer.
Stoka Clay Studio
Currumbin Valley
is located on a tiny farm in the heart of Currumbin Valley, and it's just as peaceful as it sounds. Run by the passionate Vrinda, she describes Stoka Clay Studio as more of a clay family than a business and once you step inside, you'll feel right at home.
Try your hand at sweet creations like a cheese platter and dip bowl, a serving bowl set and mugs or go all out and sign up for their . There's even Friday night 'Clay Date Nights' and Clay Club, where you can learn a plethora of clay-based skills over a ten-week term.
Gold Coast Potters Association
Benowa & Mudgeeraba
Proof in the pudding that clay connoisseurs have been around a while, the has been up and running since 1977. The local council was kind enough to give the organisation a school to set up camp, and the enthusiastic volunteers soon had it re-vamped so they could hold workshops there. Holding classes on the daily over a ten-week term with a variety of teachers at both the Benowa and Mudgeeraba campuses, everything you need to learn the craft is supplied; including pottery wheels, slab rollers, clay, glazes, moulds and various other tools.
They also offer specialised workshops such as print making, pinch pots, painting on porcelain, mould making, kintsugi (the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery) and how to build a collection of pieces. Yep, this is pretty much your if you have a passion for pottery and it’s very reasonably priced.
Inspired by the best ceramics workshops on the Gold Coast, and want to try your hand at painting next? Channel your inner artist at the Gold Coast's best paint and sip workshops.
Image credit: Stone Studio, POT Studios, Stoka Clay Studio & Kaitlin Maree Photography for OB真人视讯