Pottery instructor guiding students through a wheel-throwing class at Richard Tomaino Ceramics studio in Melbourne. Students are learning hands-on techniques for shaping clay on the pottery wheel.

Term Classes

Our 6-week term course is designed for those who want to deepen their understanding of ceramics and develop their skills week by week. Each session introduces new techniques, allowing you to explore wheel throwing, trimming, and glazing in a structured yet relaxed environment. By the end, you’ll have a collection of finished ceramic pieces to take home.

Class Schedule & Pricing:

  • Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday Classes: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.

  • Sunday Classes: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

  • Fee: $465 per person.

What's Included:

  • All clay materials, tools, and equipment provided, including aprons.

  • Firing costs included for pieces made during the course.

Upcoming Term Start Dates:

New term dates open 3 weeks into the current term, giving both new and returning students a chance to book ahead.

What You’ll Learn

  • A close-up of a pottery wire cutter resting on a workbench with a blurred background of a ceramics studio, representing the introduction to pottery tools in a beginner ceramics class.

    Week 1

    We introduce ourselves to the world of clay and ceramics! Learning about the materials and equipment we’ll be using, including pottery wheel demonstrations and having a spin on the wheels ourselves.

  • Hands shaping wet clay on a spinning pottery wheel, demonstrating the fundamentals of wheel throwing in a ceramics class at Richard Tomaino Ceramics studio.

    Week 2

    We continue to cover the fundamentals of wheel throwing including how to center the clay, draw up clay walls and create cylindrical shapes we’ll be able to trim into functional pieces.

  • "Hands shaping wet clay on a spinning pottery wheel, refining throwing techniques to create taller and more complex ceramic forms in a ceramics class at Richard Tomaino Ceramics studio.

    Week 3

    Continuing to develop our throwing technique, including more advanced methods for making taller and more complex shapes. We also begin trimming our previous week’s work! Achieving beautiful textures and forms.

  • A potter using a sponge to smooth and refine a tall ceramic piece on the wheel, demonstrating advanced throwing and trimming techniques in a pottery class.

    Week 4

    Having achieved a great understanding of throwing basics, we can now attempt larger shapes such as bowls and pots! whilst continuing to trim previous weeks work, honing the design of our pieces.

  • A potter’s hands carefully trimming and refining the shape of a ceramic cup on a spinning wheel using a sponge, preparing it for bisque firing at Richard Tomaino Ceramics studio.

    Week 5

    In our second to last week, we finalise the turning and trimming of our pots, cylinders and bowls. All forms will be Bisque fired, ready for glazing and decorative techniques.

  • A freshly thrown and trimmed ceramic vessel sits on a pottery wheel, ready for bisque firing before the glazing and decorating process begins in a pottery workshop.

    Week 6

    Our last week will involve all things glazing and decorating; from dipping, pouring, slip trailing and painting. The pieces you have made will have their final touches applied before final firing!

A collection of handcrafted ceramic pieces created by a student at Richard Tomaino Ceramics studio, featuring various bowls and sculptural forms in soft blue and green glazes, displayed on a wooden surface.

What You’ll Leave With

By the end of your 6-week ceramics journey, you’ll leave with more than just newfound skills—you’ll have a collection of handcrafted pieces and a portfolio that reflects your progress.

End of Term Folio

We encourage every student to experiment with different forms and techniques, creating a diverse portfolio of work.

  • A selection of functional ceramic works—including bowls, cups, and sculptural forms.

  • Fully glazed & fired work ready for everyday use.

  • A tangible reflection of your ceramics journey from raw clay to finished artwork.

A collection of finished ceramic pieces stored on wooden studio shelves at Richard Tomaino Ceramics. The collection includes a variety of bowls, vases, and cups in different glazes, textures, and forms, showcasing the work of students and makers.

Collection & Storage Policy

Once your pieces are ready, you'll receive an email with details on how to collect them.

Finished pieces must be collected within 3 weeks after you've been notified. After this period, unclaimed work may be discarded due to limited studio space.

As a gentle reminder, please take good care of your creations—they're a partnership between you and your instructor. All ceramics made at RTC are food safe, oven safe, microwave friendly, and dishwasher safe. To help extend the life of your creations, we recommend handwashing to avoid accidental knocks and chips.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. We appreciate your patience and can’t wait for you to take home your handmade creations!