THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Spend a focused two and a half hours handbuilding a functional ceramic berry bowl inside the Carriage House at Parkwood in Oshawa. All materials, glazing, and kiln firing are included—your finished piece will be ready for pickup in 4–6 weeks.
Spend a focused two and a half hours handbuilding a functional ceramic berry bowl inside the Carriage House at Parkwood in Oshawa. All materials, glazing, and kiln firing are included—your finished piece will be ready for pickup in 4–6 weeks.
Book with Parkwood National Historic Site
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Parkwood National Historic Site · Oshawa, Ontario
On a warm afternoon at Parkwood in Oshawa, trade a trail map for a slab of clay and spend two and a half hours shaping a berry basket you can use at home. The Hand Building Pottery Workshop — Berry Bowl brings beginners into the Carriage House for hands-on instruction in coil, pinch, and slab techniques. All tools, clay, glazes, and firing are provided; instructors guide you through construction, surface decoration, and glaze selection. Finished pieces are kiln-fired to food-safe standards and will be ready to pick up from the Parkwood gift shop in four to six weeks.
The class is designed for small groups—maximum fifteen participants—and checks in inside the Gift Shop ten minutes before the start time. Accessibility is excellent: the venue is wheelchair accessible and the minimum age is fourteen, so the workshop fits family visitors, creatives on a solo day trip, or couples seeking an indoor craft break between walks and museum visits.
What sets this workshop apart in Oshawa’s recreational mix is its focus on making a useful object rather than a souvenir plaster copy. In a community known for parks and heritage sites, the studio experience adds slow, tactile work to an outdoor itinerary. Working at a communal table under natural light, you learn to build form by hand, then trust the studio kiln and glazing process to complete the piece. The result is a durable, unique berry bowl that performs in the kitchen and carries the maker’s mark.
Practical travel notes: wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting clay on, and bring a small towel for your hands. Parking at the site is limited; organizers encourage carpooling and note alternative paid lots nearby. There are no refunds, but tickets can be transferred to another guest. Expect a friendly, instructor-led pace—no prior pottery experience required.
Inside the Carriage House the air carries the faint scent of damp clay and kiln smoke; instructors demonstrate scoring techniques and slip joins while you practice textures with simple tools. You will leave with a basic understanding of handbuilding vocabulary—coil, pinch, slab—and a sense of how firing transforms soft clay into a stone-like surface. Instructors also advise on food-safety and care so your finished piece will last through use. The small-group format means personalized feedback and time to refine form and finish.
This workshop is a compact creative detour that pairs well with a day exploring Oshawa’s green spaces or sampling local cafés. It makes an ideal gift, a memorable group activity, or a way to bring home a usable piece of local craft. For travelers who like to collect experiences rather than things, shaping, glazing, and later reclaiming a personal berry bowl makes for a satisfying, hands-on souvenir.
easy.
2–3 hours.
Minimal physical exertion—able to sit and use hands for a couple of hours.
No experience required—the workshop is designed for beginners and instructors teach basic handbuilding techniques.
Finished pieces will be kiln-fired and ready for pickup from the Parkwood gift shop in four to six weeks; you will be contacted when they are ready.
Minimum age is 14; younger teens may participate when accompanied by an adult, per the workshop rules.
There are no refunds for this workshop, but your ticket may be transferred to another guest.
Yes, the Carriage House venue is wheelchair accessible.
Yes—clay, tools, glazing, and kiln firing are all included in the workshop price.
Oshawa has a long industrial and manufacturing heritage that today coexists with parks and cultural sites around the city.
The studio minimizes waste by reclaiming clay scraps and using water-saving techniques; ask instructors about recycling test tiles and excess clay.
Parkwood National Historic Site in Oshawa, Ontario preserves a rich cultural setting and offers a broad calendar of public programming that blends historic interpretation with hands-on experiences. The site presents guided tours and interpreted performances such as Servants' Tours and themed walks, alongside practical workshops in crafts, food, and floral design. Programming includes seasonal markets like Retro Fest Vendor Market and Winter Fest Vendor Market, community-focused events such as Parkwood Christmas Tours and The Way Home Film Location Bus Tour, and creative workshops covering stained glass, candle making, holiday wreaths, pottery, perfume making, and culinary demonstrations. Several workshops are taught by named instructors or partners noted in event listings — for example, stained glass sessions led by Emilie Shipman-Wight and Meghan Murphy and perfume-making presented by Dakaari Fragrance House. Parkwood also stages horticultural programs in its greenhouses, including floral arrangement workshops and guided garden tours led by site staff. Parkwood’s event listings show a mix of ticketed and free events and seasonal sell-outs, reflecting active community engagement. The site's public programs combine interpretive tours with hands-on learning opportunities across craft, food, horticulture, and holiday-themed experiences. All descriptions and event listings are presented in third person and reflect the programming and partnerships publicly listed for Parkwood National Historic Site.
Book with Parkwood National Historic Site