Learning with Jo Davies
Below is a list of ceramics courses at studios and colleges that are hosting courses taught by Jo Davies. Jo is well known for the quality of her teaching, as well as being a respected designer-maker, because she puts the students’ experience at the centre of her lessons. Because of this her students deepen their knowledge and come away from her classes enriched by viewing plenty of demonstrations, receiving practical help and well-articulated advice.
She has taught beginner to postgraduate level ceramic students at Brighton University, Farnham University College, West Dean College, Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute in China as well as several private studios around the UK. She also set up and ran the Jo Davies Teaching Studio in East London for several years until early 2025.
This online community has been developed by Jo Davies as a place for ceramicists to learn and seek advice through group video calls and one to one sessions with Jo and other guest-experts. There will also be a written Forum where subscribers can share tips, their news about exhibitions and events as well as connect with other members of the community. Open for Subscriptions from 20 March at 6pm 2025 Read More about Studium Here
Jo Davies Courses at West Dean College
Improving Wheel-Throwing Technique 11-14 April SOLD OUT
This course is for those who have experience of wheel-throwing but need some extra support to improve recurring issues with technique and help to build your confidence. It will start by re-visiting the basics. £538 per student. Booking and Information Here
Porcelain - Throwing and Turning 21-24 July
Jo Davies is a ceramicist who specialises in using porcelain. Potters with existing skills in making wheel-thrown ceramics will gain insight into the way of working with porcelain on the wheel and overcome some of its challenges. £556 per student. Booking and Information Here
Wheel-Throwing with Components and Hollow Forms 4-7 September
Explore the process of making wheel-thrown porcelain components and hollow forms to create large and unusual shaped vessels that are larger than the maximum weight of clay you can throw in one go. Make both functional and sculptural forms. £553 per student. Booking and Information Here
All Booking and information available through West Dean College.
Throwing, Building and Kiln-Firing Techniques with
Jo Davies at The Ceramic Studio
9-13 June 2025
Jo Davies will teach a combination of wheel-throwing and kiln-firing techniques across this five-day course.
Through demonstrations, conversations and one-to-one help, Jo will guide students through building with wheel-thrown components to create their own work, either enabling them to build larger objects that go beyond the maximum quantity an individual can throw in one, or to build more creatively at either a large or small scale. Outcomes can either be functional or sculptural but will all be made using the wheel and using porcelain.
The throwing element of this course will also be interspersed with teaching that focuses on kilns, guiding you through kiln-packing for bisque, glaze firings and many of the fundamentals of this side of the ceramic process. The aim of this element of the course is to enable your independence in a studio-setting, giving you the skills and knowledge to be confident in running your firings, which could be at your own studio or in a communal setting. Individual questions and concerns about your kilns, or future kilns, can be raised with Jo informally throughout the course.
The Ceramic Studio, The Old Workshop, Hononton Farm, Furnace Lane, Brenchley, TN12 7BX
Read About all the Details and Book Via the Ceramics Studio Website
2 Day Throwing Masterclass with Jo Davies at Cabalva Ceramics
2 & 3 August
Over this two-day workshop with Jo Davies' expert guidance you will be shown how to throw a range of forms in porcelain. This course is for those who have some experience of wheel-throwing but would like support to improve their skills and confidence. Through demonstrations, discussion, and practice, Jo will guide you through making both simple and challenging forms using a creative but intentional approach. You will be provided with all of the tools and clay needed throughout the weekend, the goal of this workshop is to improve your throwing so items made will be reclaimed at the end or fired for a small extra fee. If you have your own kiln you are welcome to take your items home to fire.
This course includes:
- Materials and tools used over the weekend
- Dedicated workspace and wheel
- A light lunch and refreshments throughout the day
- Open access to the studio from 4-6pm on Saturday to continue practicing
£290 per student. There is a maximum of 4 students in this session
Book and Find out More through Cabalva Ceramics
Cabalva Ceramics, Whitney on Wye, Herefordshire, HR3 6EX
Introduction to Wheel-Throwing Porcelain Workshop with Jo Davies at Clayshed Bristol
26 & 27 April 2025 SOLD OUT
Through a combination of demonstrations, practical sessions and 1-1 support, Jo will demystify the challenges often associated with using porcelain. Under Jo’s expert guidance you’ll be shown how to prepare, throw and trim with success. The session has been design to give participants the knowledge and skills to:
Harness porcelain’s unique qualities
Create a range of forms including cylinders, bowls and plates;
Throw with trimming in mind;
Use a variety of trimming techniques; and
Finish pieces with precision
£255 per student
Unit 6 | Lawrence Hill Industrial Estate | Russell Town Ave | Bristol | BS5 9LT
Booking and all information available through Clayshed. Booking and Information Here
Masterclasses in Wheel-Throwing with Jo Davies at her Herefordshire Studio
One to one, 2.5 hr in-person class with Jo Davies. These classes takes place at Jo Davies’ Herefordshire Studio on convenient dates by agreement. Please get in touch to discuss jo@jo-davies.com
£175 per 2.5 hr session, inclusive of all materials, equipment and firings
These bespoke one to one wheel-throwing classes are designed for people who have some experience of wheel-throwing and wish to improve or tackle particular recurring issues in their throwing such as problems with consistency in centring, pulling up, gaining more height in their pots or generally throwing at a larger scale. Many of Jo Davies’ students find that after one or two sessions of troubleshooting during these sessions their technique is much improved. This is largely because a concentrated time is dedicated to observing and discussing your technique and what can be improved. Often the gains that can be made come from small adaptations but these tweaks and adjustments make a huge difference. These sessions are not there to change your technique wholesale but to work with you in order to build on what you have. As a tutor, I understand that there is only so much that observing other potters will give you and there comes a point where your technique needs to be observed so that unconscious and accidental mistakes can be remedied.
A single or short series of lessons may be preferred. These sessions are scheduled at times that suit both parties so please do get in touch to discuss timing.
Booking via jo@jo-davies.com
Please note that all classes above are bookable through the studios or colleges hosting them but please do get in touch if you have a question or concern about the contents of the courses.