What ages can participate?

Minimum age is 6; the workshop listing shows an upper age of 100, and sessions adapt easily for teens and adults.

How long until I can pick up my plate?

Pieces are fired and returned in approximately four to six weeks; the studio will email you with pickup options when ready.

Are the plates food-safe?

Yes — the workshop uses white midfire clay and underglazes; finished pieces are kiln-fired to become food-safe.

Can parents stay or do a session with kids?

Yes—families are welcome to participate together, or you can drop kids off and explore Shellharbour Village nearby.

Do I need prior ceramic experience?

No prior experience is required; instructors teach the slab method and offer step-by-step guidance throughout the session.

What if my child has allergies or sensitivities?

The studio provides materials and a relaxed workspace; contact the provider in advance to discuss any specific allergies or requirements.

Make & Paint a Plate — Kids Ceramic Workshop at The Imaginarium, Shellharbour | Workshop | Paint and Sip

At the corner of Addison and Wentworth Streets in Shellharbour Village, the Imaginarium hosts School Holidays - Make & Paint a Plate, a hands-on ceramic workshop built for curious kids and families. Over a focused 1.5-hour session, participants learn the slab method to craft a food-safe snack plate from white midfire clay: rolling and compressing clay, cutting a clean circle with a plastic plate template, smoothing edges and decorating with stamps and underglazes. The studio bench, simple hand tools and a kiln tucked behind the workspace are the quiet infrastructure that lets short workshops produce dishwasher-ready pieces after firing. This workshop stands out in coastal Shellharbour because it pairs technical ceramic basics with a playful, fast-paced format designed to keep children engaged. Instructors demonstrate techniques, then step back so kids can paint hard-edged motifs with underglazes that behave like acrylics before firing. Sessions are deliberately shorter than full studio classes so attention spans stay high and families can drop children off while exploring shops, foreshore paths and cafes nearby. Key features of the experience are the slab-building process, the plastic template that guarantees a usable plate shape, the stamp-and-paint decorating approach, and the studio’s kiln finish—pieces take four to six weeks to be fired and returned for pickup. The materials list centers on white midfire clay and underglazes; tools, paints and a relaxed, music-accompanied workspace are included. The activity is suited to kids aged six and older and easily adapts for siblings and adults who want to join. Culturally, this workshop reflects Shellharbour’s growing community of maker-spaces and small creative businesses that have reshaped the village into a weekend destination for families. It’s an accessible introduction to ceramics: practical, tactile and outcome-oriented. Parents will appreciate the clear pickup timing, food-safe results and an opportunity to hand a child a finished plate months later that started with a slab, a stamp and a paintbrush. If you’re visiting Shellharbour, this workshop functions as a hands-on pause between coastal walks and coffee stops: creative learning without a long time commitment. Bring a curious kid, a relaxed schedule and plan to return in a month to collect a piece that started with a slab, a stamp and a paintbrush. Bookings check in at The Imaginarium - Corner Addison & Wentworth Streets Shellharbour Village where instructors greet participants and lay out tools on benches sized for small hands. The workshop accepts children aged 6 to 100 according to the listing, making it adaptable for teen or adult beginners who want a project. Expect music, step-by-step demonstration and staff-fired finishing; pieces are fired and ready for collection in four to six weeks with an email notice. It’s a low-pressure, high-reward way to try ceramics during holidays.

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.