About the class

This advanced ceramics course is designed for students with a solid foundation in working with porcelain vessels—either slipcast or wheel-thrown. Not suitable for beginners, the class is aimed at those ready to refine their practice and explore a more personal, expressive approach to surface decoration.

Under the guidance of acclaimed ceramic artist Sandra Black, students will be mentored through a wide range of decorative techniques, including tissue transfer, decals, carving, coloured clay, incising, underglaze, piercing, washback, sgraffito, lustres, and more. These methods may be applied to leather-hard or pre-fired forms, depending on your chosen direction.

With a focus on developing your individual style, this course encourages experimentation and personal inquiry. Sandra will work closely with each student to provide feedback, support technical development, and help source materials or processes as needed.

Please come to your first class with a proposal for the decorative surface techniques you wish to explore.

What to bring

• Notebook & pen
• An apron
• Clay tools (if you have them)
• An old towel

Firing & Glazing

Please note that it’s not always possible to fire and glaze all pieces before the end of your course. Several factors can affect when and whether your work is fired, including drying time, thickness, size, the volume of work submitted, and when pieces are completed—especially toward the end of term when kiln space is limited. We do our best to fire as much work as we can each week, but we encourage students to plan ahead if they wish to glaze in their final class.

Once your work has been fired, it will be placed on the collection shelves and you'll receive an email with collection times. Please make sure to identify and collect your own work.

If you’d like more time to finish your pieces, we offer stand-alone glazing classes each term—these are a great option for returning to complete your work.

Building Accessibility

Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre is a heritage-listed building with access limitations. While there are no lift facilities within the main building, the ceramics studio is wheelchair accessible.

We acknowledge these limitations and are committed to improving accessibility where possible. We continue to explore ways to make our programs more inclusive and encourage you to reach out if you have any questions.

Other Additional Needs

Should you, or the person you are enrolling for, have any other additional requirements, please include these details when booking. Should you wish to chat to one of our friendly team, feel free to contact Reception on 9432 9555 or email ArtsCentre@fremantle.wa.gov.au to discuss any individual needs.