Why Study This Course?
Are you a self-motivated artist looking to push your ceramic skills to the next level? This Advanced Practice pathway is designed for you. You’ll develop your individual creative professional practice through hands-on experience, tailored guidance, and opportunities to exhibit and sell your work. This course is perfect for those who want to become practicing professionals and structure their own learning with expert support.
The Advanced Practice pathway offers a hands-on, skills-focused approach. You will:
Develop your creative professional practice.
Organise group exhibitions.
Arrange the sale of your work through the college gallery.
Receive personalised guidance from an experienced tutor.
This course covers:
Research: Exploring and expanding your knowledge of ceramic art.
Ideas development: Generating and refining your creative concepts.
Practice/technique: Honing your skills in various ceramic techniques.
Professional practice: Developing your career as a ceramic artist.
Reflection: Critically evaluating your work and progress.
Adding context to your work: Understanding the historical and contemporary context of your art.
Creating a personal style: Developing a unique artistic voice.
Learning how to develop an idea: Mastering the process of bringing your ideas to life.
Promoting yourself and your practice: Building your brand and reaching your audience.
This is a hands-on, practical course led by an experienced tutor with industry expertise. You will collaborate with your tutor to create a Personal Learning Plan (PLP), setting clear learning goals and tracking your progress. You'll receive personalised feedback and support throughout the course.
Entry is by interview only.
You should have a strong portfolio and sketchbooks showing practical, technical, and reflective skills in ceramics or a related discipline.
You may be asked to complete a pre-interview task.
A Level 3 qualification in a related discipline is an advantage, but not essential if your portfolio demonstrates the required level of skill.
Your progress will be assessed through Personal Learning Plans (PLPs) and regular discussions with your tutor. You'll track your practice through written notes and tutor feedback, gauging your progression and personal development. This course can lead to further professional development in the field of ceramics.
Clay MUST be purchased from the College Shop. The cost of slip, glazes and kiln firings is included in the price of the clay, which learners can purchase as required from the technicians' office (Art Shop, RAS 5). A range of clay types is available, and the tutor will advise which is most suitable for each project.
Learners taking part in glazing activities will require an FFP3 mask, which is also available to purchase from the technicians' office. Glazing takes place throughout the course in accordance with strict health and safety procedures.
Ceramic tools are provided. Finished pieces typically take around two weeks to dry and complete the bisque firing (the first firing), followed by a further one to two weeks after glaze firing before they are ready for collection.
Work exceeding 28cm (H) × 38cm (W) × 28cm (D) or weighing more than 5kg will incur an additional firing charge.
Learners are encouraged to keep a record of their work, either in a sketchbook or digitally, including photographs where appropriate. Records should include details such as the clay used, decorative techniques, glazes applied, firing temperatures and approximate dimensions of each piece.
No food or drink is allowed in the studio; a nearby hub area is available.
Please allow 15 minutes at the end of each class to tidy up.
Please note there is an additional cost of approximately £50 - £100 for materials on this course.
Please note that tutors may occasionally be changed at short notice. While teaching styles may vary, we ensure consistent quality across all of our courses. For this reason, a change of tutor does not qualify for a refund.