Classes
WHEEL THROWING | HANDBUILDING | SCULPTURE | ELECTRIC + GAS KILNS | RAKU + PIT FIRINGS | BEGINNERS TO ADVANCED
Classes Overview
Classes are held weekly in three hour sessions running for 5 or 10 weeks. Classes are friendly, relaxed and all levels of experience are welcome from beginner to advanced.
Classes are strictly for ages 18 and up. While we no longer offer children’s classes, we often run children’s workshops during the school holidays. These are listed on our events page or you can sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with what’s on.
Our studios are complete with extensive and quality equipment including slab rollers, wheels, extruders, moulds and a range of glazes. We have 4 dedicated student kilns across both studios with quick turnaround firing times.
5-week courses are an immersive opportunity for students wanting to experience pottery for the first time and/or refresh their skills without committing to a full 10-week term.
10-week courses are designed in a way to meet the needs of all students including enthusiasts through to advanced potters. During class time, students may work on specific themes, set by the teacher, and/or design their own projects. 10-week classes align with Queensland school terms with 4 intakes each year.
Term Dates
2025 GCPA TERM DATES
TERM 1
Monday 27 January – Friday 4 April
(10 weeks)
TERM 2
Monday 21 April – Friday 27 June
(10 weeks)
TERM 3
Monday 14 July – Friday 19 September
(10 weeks)
TERM 4
Tuesday 6 October – Friday 12 December (10 weeks)
Monday classes may extend into the following week of the school holidays to make up the 10 weeks if a public holiday falls on a Monday – this is at the teacher’s discretion.
Costs & Extras
5-week courses at Benowa are $350 including clay, firing costs and a beginner’s tool kit.
5-week courses at Mudgeeraba are $375 including clay, firing costs and a beginner’s tool kit.
10-week courses at Benowa are $450 for members and $470 for non-members.
10-week courses at Mudgeeraba are $550 for members and $570 for non-members.
Fees are higher at Mudgeeraba due to smaller class sizes.
Extra costs for 10 week classes:
- Clay: starting at $29.00 for 10-12kg bag
- Firing: $12/kg (Members) & $14/kg (non-members) based on the weight of your work. This includes colour, glazes and 2 x firing to bisque and stoneware.
- Pottery Tools: You will need to purchase your own. We have a basic set available for $14.50.
Jo Mackenzie
- @amare_ceramics
- Mon 6-9pm Benowa (10w)
- Tue 9:30am-12:30pm Benowa (10w)
- Wed 6-9pm Mudgeeraba (10w)
Jo, from Amare Ceramics, teaches hand building and wheel throwing at both the Mudgeeraba and Benowa Studios. Jo began teaching after a year internship at Gold Coast’s Firebird Studios in Burleigh Heads. Alongside her teaching, Jo completed a 6 month internship with Mt Tamborine ceramic artist Larissa Warren while undertaking a Diploma of Ceramics at Lismore TAFE. Jo continues to push her learning edges in this craft and is currently studying her Bachelor of Visual Art at the Queensland College of Art.
Jo loves creating a welcoming and fun environment where students learn, experiment and develop their own style. At the start of each term, beginners cover the core hand building and wheel throwing techniques with specific projects. Intermediate and advanced students are introduced to a new technique each week with the option of following group challenges and being mentored through individual projects. Casual classes are possible subject to availability and not recommended for beginners.
Originally from Denmark, Danielle has called Australia home since 1994. Creative at heart, she has always enjoyed exploring different mediums such as painting, knitting and sculpting which have collectively influenced her pottery since she began practicing in 2015. Danielle loves wheel throwing and the endless possibilities for exploration that pottery offers.
There is always something new to try out, some fun (or frustration) to be had and, whatever the result, you always learn, grow and develop a deep from the heart connection.
Danielle has been teaching pottery since 2018 and supports her students as they discover their creative talents and learn the craft.
Kyong Kim
- Mon 9:30am-12:30pm Benowa (10w)
- Tue 9:30am-12:30pm Mudgeeraba (10w)
- Sat 9:30am-12:30pm Benowa (10w)
- Sat 3-6pm Mudgeeraba (10w)
Kyong commenced teaching at the Gold Coast Potters in 2019. Born in Korea, Kyong has been a practicing potter since the early 1980’s. In 1985 she completed a degree in fine arts majoring in ceramics at Mokwon Korea and furthered her study at the National School of Art “Ballardini” in Faenza 1993- 1995.
Kyongs extensive experience includes being a resident potter and teacher at Sturt Craft in Mittagong. Her skills extend from domestic ware to sculpture forms including hand building and wheel throwing. She is interested in the effects of mastering alternative firing methods including pit, raku and reduction.
Her depth and breadth of knowledge are shared with her students. Kyong is passionate about contributing to and witnessing her student’s skills develop and grow.
Porsche Owen
- @pv_pottery
- Mon 6-9pm Mudgeeraba (5w) Throwing Course
- Tue 6-9pm Benowa (10w)
- Thu 6-9pm Benowa (5w) Throwing Course
Porsche is a Canadian born maker of functional ware and useful objects. She is grateful for the opportunities to grow and play that clay offers. In 2016, a Tuesday morning pottery class at the Gold Coast Potters magically transformed into a full-time career in clay by 2020. Porsche anticipates she will spend the rest of her life happily muddy to the elbows, in some way or another.
Porsche often sets a project for each term yet enables the flexibility for students to decide if they wish to join in or focus on a project of their own imagination. Porsche guides beginner students and modifies set projects to align with their skill level if they wish to participate.
Cherie Noble
- Wed 10am-1pm Mudgeeraba (5w) Handbuilding & Throwing
- Wed 1pm -4pm Mudgeeraba (5w) Handbuilding & Throwing
- Sat 10am-1pm Mudgeeraba (10w)
Cherie has a long standing love of sculpture and functional ceramics. Cherie has guided many students in finding their creative spirit and supports the development of their unique style. She teaches all aspects of ceramics including wheel, hand building, sculpture and surface decoration. Whether you want to throw small bowls, create sculptural works, learn hand building techniques, or combine different mediums, Cherie works with you to craft exactly what you desire.
Cherie entered the world of ceramics after completing a Bachelor of Digital Media, Fine Arts. During this time, she focused on sculpture and video installations to comment on marine plastic pollution. In 2018 Cherie took an internship with Firebird Studios to hone her skills and the more technical aspects of ceramics. Cherie worked with Lynda Lehman to create “Bower” for the Swell Sculpture Festival, a sculpture made from marine plastic, ceramic tiles, and camphor laurel which remains on show at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Michael’s career as a potter and artist spans over 40 years.
His focus has been on the design and manufacture of tableware, handmade tiles and architectural ceramics. In more recent years, he has been creating large slab built forms with an emphasis on lighting.
Michael has been a member and teacher at Gold Coast potters for 8 years. He enjoys being able to pass on his many skills of a practising craftsman to keen students and encourages a relaxed fun environment in his classes.
His classes accommodate beginners to advanced students in both wheel throwing and hand building. His classes are particularly valuable to potters who are keen to advance their skills in all areas of ceramic design and function
