Teaching

Want to learn more about ceramics and pottery?

Over the last twenty years or so I have taught a wide range of pottery classes. Ranging from night school hobby classes through to tertiary level specialist ceramic courses. At the Auckland Studio Potters I was the regular Wednesday morning sculpture class tutor for 6 years and I encouraged my students to take on ambitious projects and to challenge themselves. When I relocated to Hamilton and the Waikato Society of Potters I again picked up teaching – this time the Tuesday morning class and a new cohort of keen students willing to develop their skills and push boundaries.
Now that Charade and I have established our studio at Rahu Road Pottery, we are keen to teach classes and specialised workshops. See Rahu Road Pottery Website for more information.
I am happy to travel around the country to teach workshops and so if you or your pottery club are keen then please get in touch – here’s a sample of some of the topics I can cover.

  • Glaze theory
  • Formulating glazes
  • Methods of application
  • Kiln building
  • Using and controlling electric and gas kilns
  • Wood kiln firing
  • Throwing (beginners to advanced)
  • Assembling and altering from thrown shapes
  • Slab, coil and extrusions
  • Free form sculpture

Workshops for 2025

Hosted by Rahu Road Pottery this workshop series will be an immersive experience, teaching a combination of both the how and the why of making.

Tutor: Duncan Shearer
For the 2025 Workshops we’re only taking bookings after the date listed in the class details. To book, please click on the button below – you’ll be taken to the Rahu Road Pottery website.

Book Now

Throwing with a sense of style

Date: 15 March, 9am to 4pm
Booking opens: 16 February

Using the Leach style treadle wheel you will be throwing a range of simple forms to develop a distinctive throwing style. The treadle wheel spins with a slower momentum, allowing more time to adjust forms and leave your mark on the pots. We’ll be focussing on rims, bellies and feet; using a range of ribs and other tools to explore the possibilities. Some throwing skills essential. Please bring your own clay and throwing tools (we will have the standard studio clay available for you to use as well).
Maximum 4 students, $220 (includes refreshments and lunch)

Taming of the Kiln

Dates: 5 & 6 April, all day. Kiln opens on 9 April
Booking opens: 9am, 23 February

This workshop is an introduction to wood firing and the soda glazing process. Based around loading and firing of our wood kiln for a soda firing we will also be covering the principles at work in wood fired kilns. Work for the firing will need to be bisque fired and glazed with suitable stoneware glazes (firing to cone 11, 1300 degrees), loading on Saturday and firing on Sunday. The kiln will be unloaded on the following Wednesday. We have a limited range of glazes and flashing slips available, comprehensive notes will be emailed to you once your booking is confirmed.
Maximum 6 students, $440 (includes refreshments and lunches)

Glaze Technology – Beginner

Date: 3 May, 9am to 4pm
Booking opens: 9am, 13 April

This course covers glazing methods including pouring, dipping and spraying using specialised tools. We also explore layering using a variety of different resist methods. Additionally we cover a basic overview of how to make up a glaze, the materials that make up a glaze and what to look for in choosing a new glaze recipe. Please bring some of your own bisque ware to practice on.
Maximum 6 students, $220 (includes refreshments and lunch)

Glaze Technology – Intermediate

Date: 7 June, 9am to 4pm Booking opens: 9am, 18 May

This course is focussed on understanding the materials that are used in making up a glaze, how to formulate a recipe and test it. We look at how to take an existing glaze and make it your own by adapting it to your clay and style. You will have a go at glaze test trials and learn tips of the trade about material selection. There will also be time to answer your specific glaze issue. Maximum 6 students. $220 (includes refreshments and lunch)

Kiln Technology

Date: 5 July, 9am to 4pm
Booking opens: 15 June

This workshop looks at various kiln designs including: electric, gas and wood. We cover the principles of how heat affects your clay and glazes, including key temperature points, ramp rates, heat saturation and ventilation. Kiln repair and maintenance, and good kiln practice are also covered. There will be an opportunity to bring up any specific kiln firing issues you have and hopefully find a solution.
Maximum 6 students $220 (includes refreshments and lunch)

Throwing the Jug

Date: 30 August, 9am to 4pm
Booking opens: 10 August

This workshop is focussed on improving your throwing skills, using the form of the jug as a starting point. This form also has the challenge of having to pour well and has lots of opportunity for individual expression. A range of techniques will be demonstrated that you can have a go at and we will be using the Leach treadle wheel. Some throwing skills essential. Please bring your own clay and throwing tools (we will have the standard studio clay available for you to use as well).
Maximum of 4 people. $220 (includes refreshments and lunches)

Mastering Wood Firing Effects

Dates: 27 & 28 September, all day. Kiln opens on 1 Oct
Booking opens: 9am, 17 August

A more advanced workshop to the earlier ‘Taming of the Kiln’ workshop that is focussed on you developing an individual approach and aesthetic to wood fired soda glazing and improving your understanding of the firing process. So you do need to have had some experience with wood firing and soda glaze. We will be exploring different slips, glazes and clays and firing pieces raw where necessary. We will be loading on Saturday, firing on Sunday with the unloading happening on the following Wednesday
Maximum 6 students. $440 (includes refreshments and lunches).
If you want more information or discuss whether you have enough experience with wood firing then please get in touch.