2024
2 March-5 April
13 April – 17 May
25 May- 29 June

Fees-
78000+18%GST (including- course fee and all materials)
158000+18%GST (including- course fee and all materials, private room and all meals)

This course is designed for those who wish to learn pottery/ceramics and take it further as a profession or a serious hobby. It’s a full-time course, a thoughtful blend of technical guidance and artistic educational goals for students to bring up their skill levels.

COURSE OUTLINE: The five-week beginners’ pottery course in Dharamkot studio is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the basic components required to work as a beginner ceramic/pottery artist. Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to engage in various tasks and projects that will enhance your skills and knowledge in the field.

THE COURSE COVERS THE FOLLOWING KEY COMPONENTS, WHICH ARE SPREAD OUT OVER THE DURATION OF FIVE WEEKS:

1. Techniques of Forming: You will learn both wheel throwing and hand-building techniques. Wheel throwing involves creating pottery on a spinning wheel, while hand-building focuses on shaping clay manually using different techniques such as coiling, slab building, and pinching.

2. Introduction to Production Techniques: A brief introduction will be provided on production techniques like Mould making. These methods are used for mass production of ceramic objects and involve creating Moulds and casting clay into them.

3. Understanding Glazes, Glazing, and Firing: This component introduces you to the basics of glazes, which are decorative coatings applied to pottery before firing. You will learn about different types of glazes, their application techniques, and the firing process necessary to achieve the desired results.

4. Understanding Design and Self-Expression: The course emphasizes the importance of design in pottery and explores possibilities for self-expression. You will learn about design principles, explore different artistic styles, and be encouraged to express your creativity through your ceramic creations.

COURSE STRUCTURE: In week one, you will be taught the techniques of wheel throwing, surface design and hand-building. Following the instruction, you will have ample practice time to hone your skills in these areas. One significant aspect of the curriculum is the flexibility it offers. After two weeks, you have the freedom to choose whether you want to focus on wheel throwing or hand-building.

COURSE OBJECTIVE: – By providing a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental techniques, production methods, glazing, firing, and design principles, this five-week pottery course aims to equip you with a solid foundation as a beginner ceramic/pottery artist. It allows you to explore different avenues of pottery and encourages your creative expression with clay.

TEACHING-LEARNING METHOD: The curriculum includes basic theory, demos, tasks, and mentor-mentee discussions over 6 working days. Each week, there are teaching sessions, guided practice, and self-practice sessions.
In the entire course you will use mid-range (cone 5-7) stoneware clay/ glazes in electric and gas-fired kilns.

OUTCOME AND IMPORTANT NOTES: Ceramics is a vast subject and learning pottery as a skill can be a slow process that requires dedication and single-mindedness.

• 5 weeks of learning will create a basic understanding and confidence to pursue studio pottery. Do remember that what we do here will be to set you up on a path as a potter. You will further need a lot of practice and individual study to achieve your goal of becoming a professional artist/potter.

WORKING HOURS: 10am-5pm (6 days a week) Location – Studio-2 (art retreat centre)

HOW TO APPLY: To apply to this course write an email to manoj@dharamkotstudio.com

Attach- your CV/Resume/portfolioWrite- Which batch do you want to join, the type of stay you would take, about yourself, your motivation to join this course, about prior experience with clay (if any) or any kind of art. Your email will be reviewed and replied to within 3-5 days. There is no last date to join this course, admissions are on an availability basis.

Cancellation/rescheduling- The booking amount will be 30% of the total amount, which is non-refundable. Your course can be rescheduled in case of emergency.

FAQs
Q- Do the courses run all year?
A- Usually yes, but we only post 6 months schedule at a time and only those will be available to book.

Q- Are there other stay options near the studio, if I want to live outside the premises?
A- There are many guest houses/ homestays around the studio (10-15 minutes walk). We can provide you with a list of possibilities with contact numbers on request during the admission process.

Q- Do I need to bring anything with me for the course? 
A- No, you will provided with everything you need including materials, tools, aprons and hand towels.

Q- Can I start my own studio after this course? 
A- Yes! You will have the potential to establish a basic studio, but it’s important to have high level of dedication, the ability to make an investment and natural inspiration. Many students who have completed the beginner’s course are successfully running their studios.

Q- Can I use the studio space after 5 weeks for more practice? If yes, what will be the charges? 
A- Yes, you can however do remember that decisions will be made on the basis of availability. You will have to apply for it separately. The charges for the space will be 500/day. Do note that material/firing costs will be extra.

Q- What is the difference between pottery and ceramics ?
A- Ceramics is a modern term for pottery and is also an umbrella term for different kinds of clay like terracotta, stoneware, porcelain. Pottery is a part of ceramics. Ceramics can also refer to floor tiles, bricks, washbasins and countless other things which includes different compositions of clay and glass.

Q- Is there anything I need to know before I sign up for this course ? 
A- This course includes long sitting hours and physical work. You need to be reasonable healthy and not have any physical/health issues.