creative clay
Exciting hand-building pottery activities for young people.
Activity 1 Subsidised hand-building pottery workshops
Creative Gunning’s two Creative Clay Workshops were held on Sunday 19 and 26 April in The Picture House Garden. Delivered by local ceramic artist Nawsheen Hyland of Whistle & Page, the workshops brought together a multigenerational group of over 40 participants in a shared, hands-on learning environment. The sessions were designed to support young people to step away from screens and engage in practical, creative skill-building, while also creating space for families and community members to connect across generations.
The workshops also encouraged creative expression through the use of foraged natural materials. Leaves, textures and found elements from the Garden were incorporated into the clay, strengthening participants’ connection to place while expanding their creative thinking.
“The workshops show that when people are given the opportunity, the tools and the guidance, they step into creativity with confidence. It’s about building skills, encouraging self-expression and creating shared experiences that people can take with them.” said Nawsheen.
Activity 2 –The Pocket Potter Kits
The Pocket Potter kits have been developed from Creative Gunning’s Creative Clay project workshops and aim to make a genuine pottery experience accessible to more local children and families.
The Pocket Potter Kits have been designed primarily for children (5+years old) and families wanting a screen-free activity encouraging creativity, concentration and conversation. The kits include clay, tools and instructions, giving young people (and the young at heart) the opportunity to make, experiment and create with their hands at home. They are about getting your hands into clay, trying something new, figuring things out as you go and discovering what you can make.
Each Pocket Potter Kit includes everything you need to get started in pottery:
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1kg of mid-fire stoneware clay
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A clay tool set with tools for shaping, carving and decorating
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A reusable fabric work surface
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A reusable thick plastic to protect your clay and clay creations from drying out
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A rolling pin
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Step-by-step project instruction booklet
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QR codes linking to guided video demonstrations.
The printed instructions provided with the kit ensure that the kit can be used entirely screen-free. The videos are available if extra guidance is needed.
Stoneware clay is the same type of kiln-fired clay used in professional pottery studios. Further information about firing options at Whistle & Page, or just letting your creations dry and be decorative pieces, is available at the Whistle & Page website.
How to participate
For more information on this limited offer, including how to purchase a Pocket Potter kit, check the Whistle & Page website at:
https://www.whistleandpage.com/workshops-events/p/at-home-pocket-potter-kit-jh5fp
Acknowledgement
Creative Gunning is very proud to be able to work with Nawsheen Hyland from Whistle & Page on this project.
The Creative Gunning Creative Clay project is supported by the Country Arts Support Program, a devolved funding program administered by Southern Tablelands Arts on behalf of the NSW Government.
