Swanspool Ceramics
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
  • COURSES & SESSIONS
  • GIFT VOUCHERS
  • WORKSHOPS & MASTERCLASSES
  • CONTACT US
  • IMMERSION WEEK
  • OUR TEAM
  • RAKU WORKSHOPS
  • SARAMICA CREATIONS
  • STUDIO MEMBERSHIPS
  • TERMS & CONDITIONS

What is an 'open-access' pottery studio?

The open-access model of ceramics studio is one common in the US but still relatively new here in the UK. It's effectively a gym... for potters! Memberships, courses, taster sessions, one-off experiences...at Swanspool Ceramics, we aim to offer something for everyone, be they novice potters, experienced ceramic artists or those looking for an original experience to celebrate a special occasion.

COURSES: For those new to pottery or looking to take their skills to the next stage, our programme of weekly  courses covers a range of levels, from beginner right through to advanced, and all 6-week courses INCLUDE open-access studio time for you to come in to practice outside of class time: this is what is so unique about our studio!

MEMBERSHIPS: For experienced potters simply wanting studio facilities or students wanting a period to practice what they've learned, we offer 4- or 6-week, quarterly or annual memberships. Setting up your own pottery studio at home can be space-intensive and costly - we provide the facilities you need, without the outlay or hassle! All firing and glazes are included in your membership: you simply pay for whatever clay you use (clay is available to purchase at the studio as required).

What facilities do we offer?


Our 3 studios offer state-of-the-art equipment and resources for potters of all levels: Studio 1, our main throwing studio, is used for our weekly classes and offers 9 Shimpo Whisper-T wheels (8 student wheels, 1 teaching wheel). Studio 2 is our upstairs handbuilding studio with a large working area, slab roller, wall-mounted extruder and a glaze area. Studio 3 is our second throwing studio offering 9 more Whisper-T wheels. At all times during open-access hours, at least one throwing studio is kept available for members and students to come and practice, even if there is a class running in the other.

All students and members are assigned their own personal shelf for storage of their work for the duration of their course/membership. 

In terms of firing and processing, we have 3 large front-loading electric kilns, and a smaller electric toploader. We also have a raku kiln and run regular raku workshops during the summer months. We  recycle all unfired waste clay using our Peter Pugger VPM30 vacuum pugger.

We glaze-fire to 1200 degrees centigrade, and offer a comprehensive range of brush-on and dipping high-earthenware/low-stoneware glazes.

               

 

CONTACT US TODAY

Please click here or call us to book your course or clay experience

GET IN TOUCH

E: [email protected]
T: (01604) 968533
 

OUR ADDRESS

Parkhill Yard, Parkhill Road, Castle Ashby, Northampton NN7 1LA

STUDIO OPENING TIMES

Mon, Wed, Thu & Fri:

10am to 9pm

Sat:

10am to 5pm

Sun, Tue:

Closed

NB: Given the current circumstances, please contact us before visiting as we are operating an appointment-only system and may be forced to close early or adopt hours other than those listed above, at short notice.

 

CONTACT US
Swanspool Ceramics are committed to protecting your privacy and shall only use the information you provide on this page to respond to your enquiry.
© 2016 SWANSPOOL CERAMICS | WEBDESIGN BY 1PCS