
Pottery courses 2025
New! - Mid Wales Arts are offering a 3 day wood firing experience in the heart of Mid Wales.
Our Girel 3e kiln was built in 2024, an ergonomic, economic and environmentally friendly kiln designed by Jean Girel in 2022. It uses less wood than comparable kilns and fires in much less time giving the opportunity for the experience of wood firing without a large time commitment. The kiln is designed to be energy efficient, both in terms of the wood used and the effort of stoking. Those coming on the course will be able to participate in the full firing experience.
Firing weekend courses will be Friday to Sunday.
March 7,8,9
April 18, 19, 20
June 20,21,22
Sept 26,27,28
Programme -
Friday. Glazing and packing the kin 10.00 – 19.00
Saturday. Kiln firing from 6.00 a.m, finishing around 19.00
Sunday. Morning free to explore the area, afternoon will be unpacking the kiln
£300 per person.
Maximum 8 people
You can bring 12 or so small to medium-sized bisque or raw stoneware pots or come on our intensive throwing course the previous weekend. It is very important that you use appropriate clay to minimise adverse effects on other pots and kiln shelves.
We provide a range of glazes that have been used successfully in this kiln. In wood firing, much of the pleasure is gained by the action of the flame on the unglazed surface of the clay body, so glazing is not always preferable.
We can’t guarantee to fire all of your pots, but we will fire as many as possible.
Optional 2 day throwing workshops, max 5 students Saturday and Sunday before the firing
March 1,2
April 12, 13
June 14,15
September 20,21
Work to be made for firing the following weekend may be bisque fired or kept raw. We provide the opportunity to use the clay bodies that have proved effective in this kiln.
£225 per person, to include clay and bisque firing if required.
Book both courses together for £500. Concessions available.
**PLEASE NOTE: Prices are for booking direct, if booking online please be aware that eventbrite applies a fee
Café on site.
Full board / half board available at Mid Wales Arts.
Camper vans can be accommodated on site.
Contact office@midwalesarts.org.uk
Meet the team
The courses are run by-
Jean Sampson MA. Thrower and handbuilder with many years experience making wood fired salt glazed domestic ware
Alison Finnieston MA. Hand builder with experience in wood and raku firing.
Evan A Jones MA. Thrower with a strong interest in environmental ceramics and experience with different firing methods.
Mid Wales Arts is situated near Newtown, Powys and has its own mainline railway station which runs directly to Shrewsbury with good connections throughout the UK. The station is a short walk, and we can arrange transport if needed.
B&B is available on site and there is an excellent Gallery/Cafe.
The centre has fishing rights over a stretch of the nearby River Severn and there are many nature reserves and walks locally.
Any queries / further information- contact office@midwalesarts.org.uk