Tom Knowles Jackson

Throwing Statement Kitchenware

22nd - 26th November 2027 | 5 Day Workshop | £1,100

This will be an intensive five-day throwing workshop designed to build fluency and efficiency in repetition throwing, making a range or pots to enhance the ceremony of eating and drinking.

Book your place 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The Course in Detail

Tom will lead an intensive throwing workshop to develop the skills of competent throwers. The course will build progressively from repetition throwing in small batches to make a select range of table and serve-ware at the beginning of the week, progressing to larger statement kitchenware to practise throwing larger, more challenging, forms. 

Throughout the week students will focus on clay preparation, design considerations, throwing efficiency and the relationship between form and function.  Each day will follow a similar pattern of discussion, demonstration, practical and review.

This is an intensive making and refining course and there will be no specific kiln firing during the week, however, we will encourage students to keep, and finish, a few carefully selected pieces. These will be fired and be ready for collection a few weeks later.

Each student will have their own wheel and will receive plenty of individual attention.

Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces.Please see our Student Contract for details.

USEFUL INFO

Course Breakdown

Day 1: Cups

The course will start with clay selection & preparation. Tom will demonstrate and lead a batch throwing warm up using a throwing gauge. Students will throw dipping bowls, off the hump, and water cups.

Day 2: Bowls

On the second day students will learn to cut and wedge hard and soft clay. Tom will demonstrate and students will batch make breakfast bowls and pasta bowls. Tom will give further throwing demonstrations and show students how to create reusable chucks. Students will then review and turn their thrown pieces from the previous day.

Day 3: Flatware

Tom will give throwing demonstrations and students will batch make side plates and main plates. Students will then review and turn their thrown pieces from the previous day.

Day 4: Cookware

Tom will give throwing demonstrations and students will batch make baking dishes and casserole dishes. Students will then review and turn their thrown pieces from the previous day.

Day 5: Serveware

Tom will demonstrate and students will create statement serveware for communal eating. Students will review & turn thrown pieces from the previous day and finish off any thrown work from the final day.

This is an intensive making and refining course and there will be no specific kiln firing during the week, however, we will encourage students to keep, and finish, just a few carefully selected pieces.

Alternatively, students are welcome to take away their greenware (students must bring protective packaging when taking or collecting their pieces).

Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces. Details of our firing charges can be found in our Student Contract.

Book your place

Key information

  • DATE

    Monday 22nd - Friday 26th November 2027

  • DURATION

    5 day workshop

  • CLASS SIZE

    Maximum 10 students

  • LEVEL

    LEVEL

    Intermediate - Advanced

  • CLAY TYPE

    Stoneware

  • COST

    £1,100 (Flexible payment plans)

GUEST POTTER BIO

About Tom

Tom Knowles Jackson trained under Steve Sheridan as a schoolboy at Bryanston School in Dorset. Careers in the Army and in business in the Middle and Far East finally surrendered to Tom’s inexorable call to ceramics.

Tom now works in South Gloucestershire where he has established a brace of open access ceramic makerspaces; The Clay Loft near Stroud and Clay@The Fold between Malvern and Worcester.

Tom makes a range of functional cook and serveware for the table and home. His work is high fired stoneware, using a small range of his own glazes derived from iron, copper and wood ash. Tom says that he enjoys making simple enduring forms that have function and purpose and that can bring joy to the daily routines of eating, drinking and sharing.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

The Schedule

  • Welcome Breakfast (from 9am - 10am). The session will start at 10am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.

  • On the second day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.

  • On the third day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.

  • On the fourth day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.

  • On the final day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 4pm.

  • A two course lunch is provided everyday. Please inform us of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Ceramic Studio is located on a beautiful orchard in Brenchley, and there are lots of lovely surrounding towns and villages offering numerous places to stay.

    We are happy to arrange transits to and from your accommodation to the studio for the duration of your course. Please get in touch to arrange this. Please email the office team at info@theceramicstudio.life. To see examples of local accommodation, click here.

  • We do not offer a glazing service so cannot glaze your work for you. It may, however, be possible for you to return to the studio to glaze your work by booking a glazing session. Please speak to a member of staff to discuss this before booking. You are welcome to take greenware away with should you wish to. Alternatively you can take your bisque fired work away with you to glaze elsewhere.

  • We will usually bisque fire a small selection of pieces following a workshop. Each Guest Potter Workshop is different, however, so please refer to your individual Guest Potter Workshop page for the firing information for your course.

    The following firing charges will apply:

    £5 per 500g for glazed work

    £6 per 500g for glazed work with oxide

    £10 per 500g for any glazed work over 30cm in height or width

    £2 per 500g for work that is bisque fired but not glazed

  • Yes! During this Guest Potter Workshop, you’ll be treated to a Welcome Breakfast on the first day, plus morning and afternoon refreshments daily, including teas, coffees, sweet treats, and fresh fruit. A freshly cooked two-course lunch, prepared here in the studio, is also provided every day, with dietary requirements confirmed in advance.

  • If we haven’t quite answered your question please click here to view our guest potter FAQs page or email us info@theceramicstudio.life