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FAQ
Frequent, new, or just interesting, questions about the Perth Pottery and Sculpture Classes.
Is this a Sip and Pot class?
Providing complimentary alcohol and food is one way to encourage student enrolments
Yes, small amounts of alcohol do induce "feeling of wellbeing" make us "talkative, relaxed and more confident" (health.gov.au).
Yes, the studio artists and tutor don't mind an occasional drink.
Yes, occasionally adult students or the studio artists bring food or a bottle (to share or celebrate a special event).
Yes, there is free tea and real coffee, as this is a working space.
But
Most serious recreational, emerging and good professional artists don't drink while making because:
the work never looks as good the next morning.
"Fee" or "complimentary" alcohol and food implies compensation for poor quality instruction.
It's not "free" because ultimately you pay for it in the class fee!
So
No, I do not provide "Fee" or "complimentary" food or alcohol each week. This is a work space so yes there is free tea and real coffee.
No, I don't mind if you want to bring food or drinks for yourself or to share.
Hi. I have 5 small Get Crockd kit pieces that I need kiln fired. Help!
Yes, I have kiln fired a few creative GetCrockd clay works over the last few weeks (see a couple at @perthpotterysculpture
Just txt me (0432 978 733) the day before visiting the studio during class times (see specific times here) to buy some pottery glaze ($22-33 a 500ml pot) and receive some basic tips on how to best apply this to your masterpiece later at home. Do bring in your dry finished work (well padded in a box) so I can provide advise specific to you work. Then when glazed and dry, text again and bring them back in to get fired. Collect a week later. Prices same as studio class students: generally no more than $20 per object (usually well under this but I’m being safe, as have seen some BIG works made over the last 20 years!)
Hi! I'm just wondering in the average case what can one achieve in one class?
Thanks for your email and question. That’s a great question, but with no simple or short answer.
New students, in consultation with myself, have total freedom to decide on what they will make.
There is no "menu”. Then they work at their own, fast or slow speed. What they make and how fast/slow depends upon their past experiences, ambitions and motivation. Consequently there is no “average” in art and clay.
Can I come more than once a week?
yes, subject of course to there being space in each class (usually never a problem).
Some students come to Perth just to attend a compact block of lessons. Others come 2-4 times a week during their work or study holidays.
Conversely you also don't have to come every week. Come to the studio when it suits you, in any class. Just let me know.
Can I bring my child along with me this week?.
As a parent myself, I know why you ask, but I'm sorry, no children.
Fellow students are parents treasuring the benefits of a brief escape from all adult responsibilities. You really deserve a break too.
The studio is a working studio and not child proof, and children enjoy art most while socialising with their peers.
The best parent and child art classes, are at home.
Over two decades I got so many of these requests that I built a webpage of alternative suggestions: here.
In these classes you can reschedule the studio classes via 3 clicks on the reminder emails, to date which suits your partner, parent or child sitter (do it at least 2 hours before the class and you preserve your class credit).
Opps, did you say adult child? No problems, there are a few adults and their parents who attend. Share the passion.
Refunds?
Credits are transferable but not generally refundable (this does not diminish your statutory rights).
Why?
Feeling overwhelmed and not wanting to burden others due to your circumstances, are all normal and expected responses to your situation.
I have many students like you in very challenging situations with personal, professional or family problems and crisis.
It can all be too much.
If you need to take a break, just take the break.
May I suggest you
1) Just email / text me now and tell me to freeze your classes and credit, and forget about it. I will email /txt back confirming this and how many lessons you have left, so you have written confirmation and peace of mind.
In the future, only when you are absolutely ready again, Email me a couple of weeks before when you wish to return. Lots of students do this.
When you do return, you will be surprised at the immediate benefit you feel. That’s why you enrolled in the classes in the first place. I hear this again and again from returning students.
OR
2) Just use the link in the email to reschedule your next class out to 3-4 months into the future, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Only when you’re ready again to decompress, distract, learn, reward or relax, move the class closer in time.
Many have done this over the last 20 years.
OR
3) I do not generally refund classes, but this does not diminish your statutory rights. Credits are transferable. I do not personally resell classes, but if you sell or transfer classes to other students, friends, family members, do let me know and I’ll adjust my records accordingly.
How do I Enrolment
There are 3 ways to enrol, no wait 4 ways.
1) The classes webpage has links across to all these.
I've listed these below as they are spread over a large page.
They each may offer different dates, number of lessons, usually as I don't have time to constantly keep them up to date.
Weteachme. 1 lesson and clay. Immediate purchase online. Vacancies for new students are most often posted here.
Reb Balloon 2 lessons and clay. Selection of dates and option to include comment/request for alternative class date or date.
Email me or ring me.
There are two of us
Over the years I have had many couples come along to initially try a lesson together.
The two easiest way to do this is to
1. Find and buy two single lessons on the same date via the online enrolment section at https://www.grahamhay.com.au/classes.html (includes two 10 kg bags of clay)
2, Buy a single two lesson gift voucher via Red Ballon Day
at https://www.redballoon.com.au/product/pottery-and-sculpture-workshop---2-classes/GRH481-M.html
(includes a 10 kg bag of clay)
Later discuss dates with your partner, and then via a weblink in the emailed/posted gift voucher, request two preferred possible start date . I will check enrolments for those two dates and try to fit you within a class where there are no other new students, so you receive plenty of assistance and support. Vouchers are valid for 3 years.
A couple of other things relevant for beginner couples:
For those couples continuing, they may buy a single Bulk bundle of lessons between them, substantially bringing down their average lesson cost. After the first class, your attendance can be started, paused and resumed to suit yourselves. This immediate ability to reschedule via 3 clicks on email reminders, applies up to two hours before any class. This simple, no apologies required method, appears to be appreciated by those juggling demanding work, family, health and travel commitments. I hope this answers your questions, if not please carefully read https://www.grahamhay.com.au/classes.html and then email me your questions.
What is paper clay?
Paper clay Is any clay with processed cellulose fibre added. Creates a stronger clay and enables dry-to-dry, or soft joins.
brings paper and clay traditions together into a new material and aesthetic. Generally glazed and kiln fired. More.
Is clay safe to use?
For centuries humans have been making things in clay, and is generally clay is safe to use. For those technically minded see Walker MSDS sheets.
What are you doing about the Coronavirus / COVID 19?
Update 16/3/20: Email sent to all current students. While it is impossible to stop the spread of the virus, to flatten the curve these follow sensible measures have now been introduced.
Minimum Class Sizes
Particularly over winter class sizes do shrink. Therefore I may notify you and reschedule you if you are the only student enrolled in the class. If the new date and time do not suit you, you can still reschedule yourself using the Hotlink in the regular scheduling and reminder emails.
Keep emailing me the questions ...
back to classes
Is this a Sip and Pot class?
Providing complimentary alcohol and food is one way to encourage student enrolments
Yes, small amounts of alcohol do induce "feeling of wellbeing" make us "talkative, relaxed and more confident" (health.gov.au).
Yes, the studio artists and tutor don't mind an occasional drink.
Yes, occasionally adult students or the studio artists bring food or a bottle (to share or celebrate a special event).
Yes, there is free tea and real coffee, as this is a working space.
But
Most serious recreational, emerging and good professional artists don't drink while making because:
the work never looks as good the next morning.
"Fee" or "complimentary" alcohol and food implies compensation for poor quality instruction.
It's not "free" because ultimately you pay for it in the class fee!
So
No, I do not provide "Fee" or "complimentary" food or alcohol each week. This is a work space so yes there is free tea and real coffee.
No, I don't mind if you want to bring food or drinks for yourself or to share.
Hi. I have 5 small Get Crockd kit pieces that I need kiln fired. Help!
Yes, I have kiln fired a few creative GetCrockd clay works over the last few weeks (see a couple at @perthpotterysculpture
Just txt me (0432 978 733) the day before visiting the studio during class times (see specific times here) to buy some pottery glaze ($22-33 a 500ml pot) and receive some basic tips on how to best apply this to your masterpiece later at home. Do bring in your dry finished work (well padded in a box) so I can provide advise specific to you work. Then when glazed and dry, text again and bring them back in to get fired. Collect a week later. Prices same as studio class students: generally no more than $20 per object (usually well under this but I’m being safe, as have seen some BIG works made over the last 20 years!)
Hi! I'm just wondering in the average case what can one achieve in one class?
Thanks for your email and question. That’s a great question, but with no simple or short answer.
New students, in consultation with myself, have total freedom to decide on what they will make.
There is no "menu”. Then they work at their own, fast or slow speed. What they make and how fast/slow depends upon their past experiences, ambitions and motivation. Consequently there is no “average” in art and clay.
Can I come more than once a week?
yes, subject of course to there being space in each class (usually never a problem).
Some students come to Perth just to attend a compact block of lessons. Others come 2-4 times a week during their work or study holidays.
Conversely you also don't have to come every week. Come to the studio when it suits you, in any class. Just let me know.
Can I bring my child along with me this week?.
As a parent myself, I know why you ask, but I'm sorry, no children.
Fellow students are parents treasuring the benefits of a brief escape from all adult responsibilities. You really deserve a break too.
The studio is a working studio and not child proof, and children enjoy art most while socialising with their peers.
The best parent and child art classes, are at home.
Over two decades I got so many of these requests that I built a webpage of alternative suggestions: here.
In these classes you can reschedule the studio classes via 3 clicks on the reminder emails, to date which suits your partner, parent or child sitter (do it at least 2 hours before the class and you preserve your class credit).
Opps, did you say adult child? No problems, there are a few adults and their parents who attend. Share the passion.
Refunds?
Credits are transferable but not generally refundable (this does not diminish your statutory rights).
Why?
Feeling overwhelmed and not wanting to burden others due to your circumstances, are all normal and expected responses to your situation.
I have many students like you in very challenging situations with personal, professional or family problems and crisis.
It can all be too much.
If you need to take a break, just take the break.
May I suggest you
1) Just email / text me now and tell me to freeze your classes and credit, and forget about it. I will email /txt back confirming this and how many lessons you have left, so you have written confirmation and peace of mind.
In the future, only when you are absolutely ready again, Email me a couple of weeks before when you wish to return. Lots of students do this.
When you do return, you will be surprised at the immediate benefit you feel. That’s why you enrolled in the classes in the first place. I hear this again and again from returning students.
OR
2) Just use the link in the email to reschedule your next class out to 3-4 months into the future, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Only when you’re ready again to decompress, distract, learn, reward or relax, move the class closer in time.
Many have done this over the last 20 years.
OR
3) I do not generally refund classes, but this does not diminish your statutory rights. Credits are transferable. I do not personally resell classes, but if you sell or transfer classes to other students, friends, family members, do let me know and I’ll adjust my records accordingly.
How do I Enrolment
There are 3 ways to enrol, no wait 4 ways.
1) The classes webpage has links across to all these.
I've listed these below as they are spread over a large page.
They each may offer different dates, number of lessons, usually as I don't have time to constantly keep them up to date.
Weteachme. 1 lesson and clay. Immediate purchase online. Vacancies for new students are most often posted here.
Reb Balloon 2 lessons and clay. Selection of dates and option to include comment/request for alternative class date or date.
Email me or ring me.
There are two of us
Over the years I have had many couples come along to initially try a lesson together.
The two easiest way to do this is to
1. Find and buy two single lessons on the same date via the online enrolment section at https://www.grahamhay.com.au/classes.html (includes two 10 kg bags of clay)
2, Buy a single two lesson gift voucher via Red Ballon Day
at https://www.redballoon.com.au/product/pottery-and-sculpture-workshop---2-classes/GRH481-M.html
(includes a 10 kg bag of clay)
Later discuss dates with your partner, and then via a weblink in the emailed/posted gift voucher, request two preferred possible start date . I will check enrolments for those two dates and try to fit you within a class where there are no other new students, so you receive plenty of assistance and support. Vouchers are valid for 3 years.
A couple of other things relevant for beginner couples:
For those couples continuing, they may buy a single Bulk bundle of lessons between them, substantially bringing down their average lesson cost. After the first class, your attendance can be started, paused and resumed to suit yourselves. This immediate ability to reschedule via 3 clicks on email reminders, applies up to two hours before any class. This simple, no apologies required method, appears to be appreciated by those juggling demanding work, family, health and travel commitments. I hope this answers your questions, if not please carefully read https://www.grahamhay.com.au/classes.html and then email me your questions.
What is paper clay?
Paper clay Is any clay with processed cellulose fibre added. Creates a stronger clay and enables dry-to-dry, or soft joins.
brings paper and clay traditions together into a new material and aesthetic. Generally glazed and kiln fired. More.
Is clay safe to use?
For centuries humans have been making things in clay, and is generally clay is safe to use. For those technically minded see Walker MSDS sheets.
What are you doing about the Coronavirus / COVID 19?
Update 16/3/20: Email sent to all current students. While it is impossible to stop the spread of the virus, to flatten the curve these follow sensible measures have now been introduced.
Minimum Class Sizes
Particularly over winter class sizes do shrink. Therefore I may notify you and reschedule you if you are the only student enrolled in the class. If the new date and time do not suit you, you can still reschedule yourself using the Hotlink in the regular scheduling and reminder emails.
Keep emailing me the questions ...
back to classes
