Ornament & Form: Handbuilding and surface decoration with Jo Taylor

Join acclaimed ceramic artist Jo Taylor for a two-day handbuilding workshop exploring her distinctive approach to form and surface decoration. Jo’s handcrafted work has been selected for the British Ceramics Biennial, and she has appeared as a guest judge on Channel 4’s The Great Pottery Throw Down.

The workshop begins with an introduction to Jo’s practice, featuring examples of her work and sketchbooks. Participants will then create a coiled form (pot or sculpture) and learn techniques for making both mould-made and freehand sprigs, which will be used to embellish their pieces, inspired by methods demonstrated on The Great Pottery Throw Down.

Date: 5^th & 6^th September 2026  from 10am to 4pm

Level: Suitable for all abilities.

Clay type: White St Thomas stoneware

Timetable:

Saturday 5th September

10.00 Introduction & talk about Jo Taylor’s practice with a look at sketchbooks & examples of work
10.30 Q&A
10.45 Coiling demo
11 -12.30 Participants start coiled form
12.30- 1.30 Lunch
1.30 Making time – forms completed
3.45pm Tidy up
4pm Finish

Sunday 6th September

10.00 demo of freehand & mould made sprigs
10.30 Participants spend the morning making lots of sprigs
12.30 Lunch
1.30 Participants embellish their forms with multiple sprigs
3.30pm Tidy up
3.45pm Review of completed work
4pm Finish

What to bring: Most of the tools are provided but you are welcome to bring your own plus…
– Turning table, serrated metal kidney, smooth metal kidney, wooden modelling tools, brushes, Hair dryer or Heat gun.
-Apron and appropriate clothes
-Sketchbook, Notebook and pen

– Packaging / box to transport your greenware (Your pieces won’t be fired on site unless you arrange it directly at the venue with a fee)

Bring your lunch or you can buy something nearby
Lunch break between 12:30 to 13:30