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WORDS MAISIE JANE DANIELS - IMAGERY COURTESY OF EARTHWORKS - SPECIAL THANKS LUXE BB
An exciting new creative space run by artists has opened just a stone's throw from Brixton station in Southwest London called Earthworks. As my guest and I eagerly arrived to try out the throwing taster session, we were greeted with a warm smile and a friendly welcome from our instructor, Joshua. True to British summertime, we entered just as the heavens opened, and the soothing sound of rain set a relaxing tone for our thoroughly enjoyable experience.
With aprons on and seated at our individual throwing stations, we watched a demonstration where Joshua shared his skills, tips, and passion with us. Starting with how to work the wheel (I couldn’t help but think of the film Ghost). We began with a simple bowl.
At first, the three-hour class seemed daunting, but learning to throw can take a while to get your head (or hands) around, so the class provides ample time to practice and build muscle memory. As the session progressed, we moved from crafting bowls to creating more intricate cylinder shapes. Our teacher expertly formed a vase before our amazed eyes and dropped jaws, making it look effortless. When it was our turn, things didn’t go as smoothly for some (especially me), but the generous time allowance let us learn and grow, along with one-to-one learning from our instructor. The satisfaction of creating something usable felt incredibly empowering.
The studio provides plentiful balls of clay to keep practicing and get experimental with. Since all the clay is reused and recycled after the class, you can make mistakes without any guilt. At the end of the session, you choose your favourite vessel, select one of the lovely colours for it to be glazed, and then wait three weeks for it to be fired, glazed, and ready for pick-up. I can’t wait to see how mine turns out.
Earthworks is a community-driven space, designed to be recreational and educational, encouraging creativity in a well-structured and inspirational way. Whether you are looking to explore a new hobby or simply want to try something different, Earthworks' beginner's throwing taster session offers a fulfilling and memorable afternoon for all.
The Saturday and Sunday sessions cost £65, and you can find more information, along with other classes, here: www.earthworksceramicstudios.com.
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