Our Workshops
Kids Summer Pottery Workshop
$120 +tax (8 person limit)
Dates:
Thursday, August 8
Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Includes a supervised break for lunch.
Minimum age: 8+
(We also offer a teen workshop, if this better suits the age of your child)
Explore clay, creativity and self expression with this full day summer pottery workshop. Throughout the day your child will have the opportunity to try the potter’s wheel and alter their thrown pieces to create creatures, characters, animals…or whatever amazing idea they may have. They will also experiment creating work using clay slabs, coils & making pinch pots. Finishing touches will be added using our “paints” to add colour and their one of a kind details. We can’t wait to see what your child creates in a supportive and encouraging space.
Hello Summer! Teen Clay Workshop
$120 +tax (7 person limit)
Dates:
Thursday, July 18 OR
Tuesday, August 13
Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Includes a supervised break for lunch.
Minimum age: 12+
(We also offer a teen workshop, if this better suits the age of your child)
Fill your teen’s summer break with creativity and exploration. We have 2 full days available this July and August, and we cannot wait to see what your teen makes in the studio.
Participants will have full access to the studio with step-by-step instruction. They will have a chance to use the potter’s wheel, handbuilding with clay slabs and coils, and . Everyone will also have plenty of time to decorate their pieces using slips, underglazes and our food safe glazes.
There will be plenty of inspiration provided, but participants are encouraged to bring in ideas. Our instructor will work with each teen to accomplish their clay goals.
One Time Potters Wheel Workshops
$75 +tax (7 person limit)
Upcoming dates:
Saturday, August 17: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Saturday, August 17: 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, August 18: 11:00am – 1:00pm
Saturday, September 21: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Saturday, September 21: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Sunday, September 22: 11:00am – 1:00pm
Try your hand at the potter’s wheel in this one- time workshop!
A great opportunity to see if this is your next hobby! or simply cross off your bucket list!
You will be guided through making 2 cups or bowls. You will get the full experience of centering the clay, building the foundation of your pot to then stretch the sides and see how high you can get it!
The workshop is approximately 2 hours. Your pots will be finished and fired for you, in the colour of your choice. Ready to be picked up within 4-6 weeks.
They will be food safe, dishwasher, microwave and oven safe.
Book your spot today!
Ceramic Travel Cup Workshop
$75 +tax
Dates: Saturday, August 17
Time: 12:30pm – 2:30pm
Cost: $75
Includes: instruction, tools, materials, firings, glaze & one reusable bamboo straw / person
Instructor: Amanda Hickey
Take your favourite beverage on the go with your very own, handmade ceramic travel cup. Participants will be guided through using slabs of clay, templates, textures and “paints” to create a cup uniquely theirs. Makers will then choose their favourite glaze colour and the Zenfire Team will carefully finish their pieces for them. Finished pieces and be packed up and ready for pickup within 4-6 weeks of the workshop date.
There is no experience needed to attend this workshop. We welcome beginners and experts alike!
4-day Level Up Wheel Workshop
$1050 +tax (7 Person Limit)
Dates: August 19 – 22
Time: 10am – 4:30pm (each day)
Cost: $1050+ tax
Includes: lunch each day, tools, materials, firings (keep 6 of your favourite pieces), & special guest artist workshop with Beth Turnbull-Morrish of Turningbull Pottery
Ages: 16+
Instructor: Angela Patterson
Challenge yourself in this 4-day Level Up Workshop. Zenfire Pottery owner, Angela Patterson, will be demonstrating various pottery techniques & forms each day. She will also be supporting you as you practice, play and expand your pottery skills.
Participants will also have the opportunity to learn from a surface decorating great, Beth Turnbull-Morrish of Turningbull Pottery. Beth will share her decorating secrets through various demonstrations and one on one time for participants to try these techniques and ask process questions.
We will arrange for you to come in at a later date to glaze your pots, or you can choose to have us do it for you. If you live out of town, we can ship your pieces to you for an additional cost.
Handbuilt Birch Bark Vase
$75 +tax
Date: Saturday, September 21
Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Decorate your home this fall with a handmade birch bark vase. This piece will look stunning with an autumn-inspired bouquet, or illuminated with a pillar candle.
This is a beginner-friendly workshop and includes all of the materials and tools you need to complete your piece.
At the end of the workshop each participant will choose their glaze and the Zenfire team will carefully finish your vase.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for pickup of your finished pieces.
Handbuilt Herb Stripper & Garlic Grater Workshop
$75 +tax
Date: Sunday, September 22
Time: 1:30 – 3:30pm
Instructor: Amanda Hickey
Scratching the Surface: A Decorating Workshop
$145 +tax
Date: Saturday, September 28
Time: 10am-4:30pm
Instructor: Chris Snedden
Minimum age: 16
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Visiting artist Chris Snedden joins us at Zenfire Pottery to share his ceramic decorating expertise. This workshop will explore various decorating techniques to craft unique and personalized ceramic pieces.
Multiple demonstrations on the following topics:
- brushing,
- sgraffito,
- slip inlay,
- hakeme,
- paper resist,
- Hans Coperesque stippling,
- image transfer
Students will have plenty of time to practice these techniques on tiles and on their own leather hard work. Please bring in a few pieces you would like to decorate, or purchase cylinders for an additional $10/piece – add as many additional pieces as you like on the payment page.
All skill levels are welcome.
Please note: Zenfire Pottery can fire your work at an additional cost. The cost will be determined the day of the workshop, based on the size and quantity of pieces.
Handbuilt Pumpkin Workshop
$75 +tax
Date: Sunday, September 29
2 timeslots to choose from:
11am – 1pm
2pm – 4pm
This beginner friendly, handbuilding workshop will leave you craving everything pumpkin spice!
In 2hours participants will be guided through creating their very own ceramic pumpkin (approximately a baseball size). The instructor will provide them step by step instruction, various texture tools & paints.
At the end of the workshop makers will then choose their glaze colour and the Zenfire team will carefully finish their pieces for them. Please allow 4-6 weeks to pick up your finished pieces.
Kid’s 3-day Clay Class
$175 +tax
Date: Saturday, October 5, 12 & 19
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm (each Saturday)
Join us for 3 Saturdays of clay creativity. Our incredible instructor will guide each participant through using the potter’s wheel. altering their pieces into new shapes, adding handles and clay slabs by sculpting and moulding, and decorating using various techniques. These jam-packed days will be full of fun, laughter and creativity. The instructor will work one on one with each maker’s skill level and vision, achieving their artistic goals.
There will be plenty of creative ideas provided, but we also encourage our students to come with ideas they love. We cannot wait to see what these creative kiddos make!
Students will choose their glaze colours and the Zenfire Pottery team will carefully finish each piece. Please allow 4-6 weeks for pottery pickup.
Private bookings for 2-hour workshops
$75+ tax / person
- minimum 6 people
- maximum 14 (special arrangements may be made for over 12 people, just ask!)
- 2-hours includes instruction and all materials
- 2 types of workshops include:
- All pieces will be finished and fired for you, in the colour of your choice
- Pieces will be ready for pickup within 4-6 weeks of the workshop date
Coming from out of town, or want to host a creative weekend?
Below are some fabulous places you can stay:
St. Marys:
The Flour Mill
Westover Inn
Riverside B&B
Airbnb options
Stratford
(20min drive to St. Mary’s):
Grand Trunk Guest House
Arden Park
Airbnb options
Edison’s Inn
The Bradshaw Lofts
Birmingham Manor B&B
