Can I make a platter larger than the kiln’s maximum size?

No, the maximum platter length is 35cm. Larger dimensions require upgrading to the next size tier due to kiln packing constraints.

Is prior pottery experience necessary?

No, this workshop is suitable for beginners and guided by an instructor throughout the process.

How long before I can pick up my finished platter?

Your piece will be ready approximately 4 to 5 weeks after the workshop, after drying and firing are complete.

Can I bring food or drinks to the workshop?

Food is not provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own drinks, including wine or beer.

Are the ceramic platters food safe?

Yes, the fired earthenware platters are food safe and waterproof once glazed and fired.

Is there an age limit for participants?

The minimum age to participate is 12 years old.

Crafting Your Own Ceramic Platter: Unique Hands-On Art Experience in Towradgi, NSW

Located in Towradgi, New South Wales, a coastal suburb near Wollongong, the Make a Ceramic Platter workshop offers an inviting escape into the tactile world of creativity and craftsmanship. This unique experience combines art, mindfulness, and function, giving visitors the chance to craft a one-of-a-kind ceramic serving platter that reflects their personal style. If you're traveling through this vibrant part of Australia's Illawarra region, this workshop stands out as a refreshing alternative to the typical outdoor adventures, appealing especially to those who want to slow down and engage with a tangible, rewarding craft.

Towradgi is known for its rugged coastal beauty and laid-back charm, but at 80b Towradgi Rd, you can step into a creative sanctuary designed for hands-on pottery making. The workshop focuses on creating a large slab-style platter distinguished by natural curves and small ledges — perfect for serving snacks, dips, and cheeses in style. These distinctive design features have recently gained popularity on social media, making your finished piece practical yet visually striking.

Under the guidance of experienced instructors, participants use earthenware clay to hand-build their platters. The process is intuitive and flexible, letting everyone customize their platter from simple forms with expansive food areas to more intricate, sculptural shapes. Painting with underglaze colors brings personality and vibrancy to each creation. After shaping and decorating, pieces undergo a drying and double-firing process over several weeks, ensuring durability and a beautiful finish.

The workshop not only produces a functional work of art but also encourages mindfulness and reconnection amid today's hectic pace. Creating something with your hands discourages distraction and fosters a calming focus—an experience that resonates as deeply as any outdoor adventure.

Towradgi’s pottery studio embraces the region’s creative energy, offering a grounded way to enrich your trip beyond hiking trails or surfing breaks. Whether you’re gifting a handmade platter or elevating your own hosting game, this is a memorable way to mark your visit to the New South Wales coast.

Visitors should wear comfortable clothing and can bring their favorite wine or beer to enjoy during the session. The studio provides tools, aprons, and all materials needed for your masterpiece. This activity is suitable for participants aged 12 and older, and no prior pottery skills are required, making it accessible to creatives and novices alike.

If you’re looking to add an artistic and relaxing interlude to a coastal exploration of Towradgi, booking this ceramic platter workshop offers a rare blend of craftsmanship, mindfulness, and local culture in a warm, welcoming setting.

About Black Duck Studio Pty Ltd

Black Duck Studio Pty Ltd operates a hands-on ceramics studio offering classes, workshops and a local firing service. The studio runs after-school and homeschool clay clubs, term-based kids programs, multi-week handbuilding courses, one-off open hand-building sessions, and school holiday workshops. Many classes accept deposits to secure places, including Term 1, 2026 bookings with limited availability; if a preferred day is full the studio offers alternatives or refunds deposits.

Programs include dedicated kids courses for ages eight to teens with materials provided, 10-week after-school terms, and casual homeschool sessions. Adult learners can join an 8-week handbuilding and glazing course with expert guidance, or participate in open workshops designed for experienced potters wanting 90 minutes of clay work plus a painting session. The studio also runs themed workshops such as make-a-mug, make-a-dish, make-a-platter, and seasonal Christmas activities.

Black Duck Studio accommodates NDIS clients with two-hour workshops offering hand-building or glazing and complimentary beverages. A firing service supports local artists and crafters from drop-off through firing with pick-up updates. Event inquiries include private parties, donut tower involvement, and bespoke bookings for celebrations.

Bookings, deposits, and workshop details are published for each offering, and all class descriptions list included materials, session lengths, and post-firing pickup times where applicable. Black Duck Studio Pty Ltd presents practical, activity-based ceramics experiences aimed at learning, creativity, and accessible studio access for students, hobbyists, and community participants. Finished pieces are typically fired and available for pickup within two weeks when specified in the class description. Bookings are required online.