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.
Improving Wheel-Throwing Technique with Jo Davies at West Dean College
11-14 April
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.
This course will help you to troubleshoot issues recurring in your wheel-throwing through set projects.
The aim is to give you intensive time to develop your throwing by giving you challenging projects but mainly by re-visiting the basics as a vehicle to deeper understanding. For the tutor, this is a tried and tested way to help throwers who are struggling with recurring issues. For instance, this can be around centring, pulling up and general control of shape in their throwing.
Throughout the course, you will be supported to improve your results by being given simple adjustments of technique which are designed to lead to improved outcomes on the throwers’ wheel.
£538 per student
Booking and all information available through West Dean College. Booking and Information Here
Throwing, building and kiln-firing techniques with Jo Davies at The Ceramic Studio in Kent
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
Introduction to Wheel-Throwing Porcelain Workshop with Jo Davies at Clayshed Bristol
26 & 27 April 2025
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 porcelains 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, although not exclusively, 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 issues 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 improvements that can be made are small rather than fundamental but these tweaks and adjustments make a huge difference and can only be observed by someone with a lot of experience. 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 studio we 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.
Please get in touch to discuss your learning requirements and to discuss a convenient time on 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.