Do I need previous pottery experience?

No. The workshop is suitable for beginners and returning makers; instruction covers embossing and basic forming techniques.

How long until I can pick up my finished piece?

Pieces are glazed and kiln fired after class; expect to pick up your work from Broadway Museum and Art Gallery in about four to five weeks.

What should I bring to the workshop?

Bring collected fallen plant material, clothes you don’t mind getting clay on or an apron, and any personal items you need for comfort.

Are materials and tools provided?

Yes. All clay, tools, and basic materials are supplied as part of the session price; extra pieces incur a small additional fee.

Is the workshop accessible?

The class is on the museum's second floor. If you have accessibility needs please contact Broadway Museum and Art Gallery in advance to arrange support.

What are the kiln risks?

Kiln firing can occasionally cause cracks or warping; while uncommon, this is an acknowledged part of firing and results are generally robust for daily use.

Make Natural-Print Embossed Tableware with Great Pottery Throwdown Finalist Dave Short in Broadway

Broadway England is home to a hands on embossed tableware workshop hosted on the second floor of Broadway Museum and Art Gallery. Led by Great Pottery Throwdown finalist Dave Short the two and a half hour session shows how to press found plant material into stoneware clay to make cups bowls and coasters. No experience is required but makers who return can develop more ambitious designs. Before class participants are encouraged to gather leaves stems and flowers from walks or local green spaces to use as embossing templates. In the bright airy second floor workshop you will roll clay press textures trim edges and learn how glaze will alter color and sheen. All tools and materials are provided and the session includes tea coffee and sweet treats. At the end of class the instructor collects pieces for glazing and kiln firing then notifies you when to pick them up usually four to five weeks later. Firing can produce occasional cracks or warping so expect a small element of uncertainty as part of the process. One finished item is included with additional pieces available for a modest fee. The workshop is accessible via nearby long stay car parks with Shear House about a four minute walk and managed through Ringo. Classes are delivered in a light filled space at Broadway Museum and Art Gallery and booking includes access to exhibitions and collections. Why this matters is the direct translation of local plant life into functional ceramics where texture and form record a place and a time. The experience is ideal for gift making slow craft retreats and anyone curious about material processes without committing to wheel throwing. Bring clothes you do not mind staining or an apron and be ready to work standing and seated for short periods. Book early because space is limited and workshops often fill quickly especially during weekends and school holiday periods. Whether you leave with a textured tumbler a set of embossed coasters or simply the memory of a focused making session this class connects people landscape and craft in a useful object. Participants often remark that the leaf veins and petal imprints read like maps or fingerprints and that hand pressed surfaces make ordinary meals feel more considered. The instructor discusses clay body selection shrinkage rates and practical trimming tips so results are durable in daily use. This session suits adults and older teens comfortable with simple hand tools and basic standing tasks. If you have mobility needs the workshop is on the second floor and accessibility information should be requested in advance from Broadway Museum and Art Gallery. Reserve through the booking link then return in approximately four weeks to collect your finished piece.