This 1 day course will give participants the opportunity to create up to 3 unique slab built platters using a high firing food safe clay. Students will be guided through basic design, hand building, decoration and finishing techniques to complete functional pieces. The platters will be glazed and fired for the students, ready to collect within 1 month of finishing the course.

One Day Pottery Workshop – Platters

Course Description

Create your own beautiful, functional ceramic platters in this hands-on one-day pottery workshop. 

Using high-firing, food-safe clay, participants will learn the fundamentals of slab building while designing and constructing up to three unique platters of varying sizes and shapes. 

Through guided demonstrations and practical work, students will explore basic design principles, shaping techniques and decorative approaches to create distinctive handmade pieces.

Throughout the day, you will be supported step by step as you learn how to roll slabs, construct forms and apply decorative finishes. 

The focus of the workshop is on developing practical skills and confidence while enjoying the creative process. 

Once completed, your platters will be professionally glazed and fired by the tutor and will be ready to collect within approximately one month.

The course fee includes all materials, and use of equipment and tools.

Course Structure

This is a hands-on course. The tutor will provide a demonstration of each step, then you will put it into practice.

• Introduction and housekeeping
• Design
• Slab rolling
• Slab construction
• Decoration
• Finishing techniques
• Glaze considerations

Course Learning Outcomes

By attending this course, students will:

• Understand the basics of slab-building techniques in pottery
• Design simple platter forms suitable for hand-building
• Roll and prepare clay slabs for construction
• Construct and shape platters using slab techniques
• Apply decorative elements and surface textures
• Prepare ceramic pieces for glazing and firing
• Create up to three handmade platters ready for glazing and firing.

Your Tutor is Rachel Petchkovsky

Rachel Petchkovsky has been teaching at WEA since 2022. 

Rachel completed a Diploma of Ceramics in New South Wales in 2000. She is a practicing artist, pottery teacher and early childhood educator. 

In her practice she works with clay, textiles, natural dyeing, leather, glass and natural fibres and materials. She has a special interest in raku firing techniques and post firing reduction. 

Rachel loves the transformative power of pottery and enjoys sharing her enthusiasm and skills with students.