Graham Hay, pottery teacher

Graham Hay
Perth Pottery and Sculpture Classes

Perth Pottery and Sculpture Classes

A “clay-aholic", with over 20 years experience and tertiary qualifications in both making and teaching ceramics.

location_on North Perth, Perth

local_activity classes: Clay Sculpture and Hand BuildingPottery

4.4 (7)

A clay-holic!

Passionate about clay and helping others learn about and enjoy making in clay. Tertiary trained in both ceramic art and art education, professionally accredited, and solid background in providing very high quality teaching and outstanding learning experiences for both beginners and the experienced over the last 25 years.

PASSION:
I got the clay bug while a teenager. While training as an art teacher, I lived across the road from and had an after hours key to the ceramic studio. Later attended community classes (like this) until I was able to undertake full time studies. Even while just an undergraduate student I was invited to teach ceramics, to demonstrate my unusual techniques both inside and out the universities.

TRAINING: Separate degrees from Edith Cowan and Curtin Universities (hon) both majored in ceramics and sculpture. Almost annually I'm invited to teach fellow ceramic experts at international level conferences, symposiums and workshops, and so get to learn the latest techniques and best practices from the other world leaders.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE: EDUCATION: Invited into schools / universities / beginner / professional groups (350+ times) to give lectures, workshops and demonstrations, in WA, Australia and across 14 countries. Published 25 ceramic and ceramic education articles in six national and international journals. Co-lead Hungarian, Sweden, and US (x5) international ceramics conferences. External examiner 2017 ANU ceramics PhD.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE: ARTIST: Participated in 170+ exhibitions, four international ceramics biennale and the 2017 Venice Biennale. Recipient of 20 awards and prizes. In the Art Gallery of WA and public collections in six countries. Work features in dozens of ceramic textbooks and journals.

PROFESSIONAL STANDING: Invited exhibiting member of the Australian Ceramic Association, accredited Craft Australia and Teacher Registration Board of WA (plus WWC). Current member of national and professional ceramic, ceramic education, art education and artist associations in four countries, and elected member of the International Academy of Ceramics (peak international professional body).

More details on my website.






Classes







Reviews

(7)


Natasha Kaurin May 2023


Not what I expected. No instructions, no intro, no structure. You're left on your own with a piece a clay. Its more a social class than a teaching class.

Teacher's response

Hi Natasha

Thank you so much for posting a review! All criticism is open-heartedly welcomed as way of improving how and what I teach.

I checked and see you attended the class nearly a year ago (18 June)!

On that day it may have appeared to be a social and less structured class. We had a few people who were long time regular customers so there was no need for a formal class structure, but rather occasional individualised instruction.

After 23 years of teaching these classes I’m not sure why I didn’t automatically provide my usual studio tour, introduce to other students and studio artists, and check your clay experience and expectations. If you were an absolute beginner, I would have provided a number of structured exercises. Even if you told me, you have previous experience and know what you wanted to make, I would have discussed what size you wanted to make to and the best method to use. I would have also monitored your making and progressively introduce small steps to improve techniques and work, using relevant techniques at an appropriate level.

As a safeguard against any misunderstanding, I constantly stress to all new students that they should interrupt me at any time for assistance or advise. After many years of ceramics specific tertiary training, giving hundreds of ceramic workshops and teaching pottery at every level, it’s always great to receive any criticism, digest it and then use it to improve.

In your case I’ll double check my methods and look again at improving the class description to reflect the classes better.

Thank you again for taking the time to let me know.

Benjamin Peters May 2021

13 ClassBento workshops attended • 7 reviews


Very kind and considerate fot helping with some tough situations. Excellent folk and am going again.

Jane Cox Nov 2020


Venue was great
Learnt heaps on my first day
Looking forward to my next class

Lyn Maniz Jul 2020


I enjoyed the class it went really fast and I’ll be keen to come back next time. Lovely participants and a knowledgeable teacher made the class fun.

Samantha Tan Feb 2020


I really enjoyed the class. It’s great for a range of skill level as Graham tailors his teaching depending on what you need.

You can make anything you want! Just need to be inspired with a little creativity.

Estelle Churchill Oct 2019


I learned so much and really enjoyed in this class, Graham is very knowledgeable and a great teacher.

Alida Louw Aug 2019


A most enjoyable class. Graham allows you to explore your imagination. He adapts the experience to your ability, needs and interests.

V48I01Z33L 34c052b7f77f35dccea660a6ce51910d production Perth WA AU perth