Includes demonstrations, guided time and self-practice
10:30 am – 1:00 pm
3:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Programme Highlights
- Everything covered in the 4-week programme
- Working with larger quantities of clay
- Lidded forms: casseroles and jars
- Complex forms: teapots
- Exploring different forms of bowls and mugs
- Advanced handle-pulling techniques
- Slip and sgraffito decoration
- Studio tasks
What to Expect from the Programme
Our 8-Week Wheel Throwing Programme is designed to build a strong technical foundation while giving you the time and practice needed to develop greater confidence and control at the wheel. Throughout the programme, you will refine essential skills such as centering, pulling even walls, achieving height, and shaping a wide range of functional forms.
As your skills progress, you will explore more complex forms, including teapots one of the more challenging forms in pottery, requiring the successful throwing and assembly of multiple components.
In addition to form-making, the programme introduces surface decoration techniques such as slip and sgraffito, helping you begin to explore and develop your own visual language.
With 200 hours of studio practice, you will have ample opportunity to repeat, refine, and strengthen your technique under close guidance. The additional time also allows you to work with larger quantities of clay, explore more complex forms, and gain a deeper understanding of studio practice.
That said, pottery is an expansive discipline that takes years of dedicated practice to master. One of its greatest joys is that there is always more to learn—we continue to discover something new with every piece we make and every class we teach. This programme will equip you with a strong technical foundation and the confidence to continue your journey, but developing your own body of work and creative voice comes through patience, curiosity, and consistent practice.
How to Apply
To apply for one of our Intensive Programmes, please email pottery@houseofniso.com with the following:
- Your preferred batch
- A brief introduction about yourself
- Your current city and country of residence
- Your educational background
- A short statement of purpose, including why you wish to join the 4-Week or 8-Week Wheel Throwing Programme
We aim to respond to all applications within 48–72 hours. Admissions are based on the strength of your application and the availability of seats.
CANCELLATION & RESCHEDULING
Once your application is accepted, a 50% advance payment is required to confirm your place in the programme. This booking amount is non-refundable.
If you are unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances, we will be happy to reschedule your participation to a future batch, subject to availability.
Intensives – Everything Else You Need to Know
Glazing, Firing & Delivery
Wheel-Thrown Pieces
The programme fee includes glaze firing of 4 wheel-thrown pieces for participants enrolled in the 4-Week Programme, and 8 wheel-thrown pieces for participants enrolled in the 8-Week Programme.
Additional wheel-thrown pieces may be glaze fired at an extra cost of INR 1,000–3,000 per piece, depending on size.
Plates and casseroles are not included in the glaze firing service for these programmes.
Hand-Built Pieces
We do not offer glaze firing for hand-built pieces.
We can, however, offer high-fire bisque firing at an additional charge of INR 300–1,200 per piece, depending on the size of the piece.
Delivery
Delivery of the included pieces within India is charged separately at approximately INR 500–1,500 for 4–8 pieces, depending on the total weight.
Delivery of additional wheel-thrown pieces is charged at INR 300 per piece.
For hand-built pieces, delivery charges range from INR 300–600 per piece, depending on the size and weight of the piece.
We currently deliver student pieces within India only.
For pieces that are glazed by the student, please allow approximately 2–3 weeks for glaze firing and delivery.
For pieces that require finishing by our team before glaze firing and shipping, please allow an additional 2 weeks.
Teaching Methodology
Our teaching approach is rooted in strong fundamentals, consistent practice, and individualized guidance.
Each week combines demonstrations, guided instruction, and structured self-practice, allowing you to build confidence through repetition and hands-on learning. While the programme is primarily practical, essential theory is integrated throughout. To reinforce learning, we also provide instructional videos and weekend assignments.
Weekly one-on-one reviews offer personalized feedback, progress assessments, and goal setting, ensuring that each participant receives focused attention throughout the programme.
A significant part of learning pottery is understanding what happens inside the clay. For this reason, most practice pieces will be cut open to assess wall thickness, form, and technique. This process allows for meaningful feedback and helps you improve consistently.
Pottery is a slow craft that demands patience, discipline, and regular practice. It is a lifelong pursuit, and these four- and eight-week programmes are designed to give you a strong foundation rather than mark the end of your learning. You will leave with greater confidence at the wheel, a deeper understanding of the craft, and the skills to continue developing your practice and creative voice.
Stay & Meals
Accommodation and meals are not included in the programme fee.
There are several Airbnbs, guesthouses, and hotels across a range of budgets within walking or cycling distance of the studio. If required, we are happy to share a curated list of recommended stays during the admission process. You are free to choose accommodation that best suits your preferences and budget.
Please visit the Location section to get a better understanding of the area.
Studio Guidelines
To ensure a smooth and enjoyable learning experience for everyone, we request all participants to observe the following:
- Students will be taught proper wedging techniques and are expected to wedge their own clay at the beginning of each session.
- Please maintain a clean workspace. At the end of each session, students are expected to clean their wheels, tools, and workstations, leaving them as they found them.
- As this is a shared studio, participants are expected to be respectful, considerate, and mindful of others at all times.
- Fingernails must be kept short and neatly trimmed for comfortable and safe wheel throwing.
- Please wear comfortable clothing that you don't mind getting clay on.
We Use
Clay
- Stoneware clay for wheel sessions, with bisque firing at Cone 06 and glaze firing at Cone 6.
- Terracotta clay for hand-building sessions, with bisque firing at Cone 06. Student hand-built pieces are not glaze fired.
Wheels
Electric pottery wheels.
Kiln
Electric kiln.
Explore Other Courses
5-Day Wheel Throwing Immersion
This course is ideal if you want to explore different aspects of ceramics in a short period of time. It includes wheel throwing, trimming, and hand-building.
No prior experience required
10-Day Wheel Throwing Immersion
This course is ideal if you want to explore the complete process of ceramic making in a short period of time, with a hands-on understanding of the journey from wheel throwing to glazing.
No prior experience required
4-Week Wheel Throwing Programme
A focused programme designed to build a strong foundation in wheel throwing through intensive practice and consistent learning.
4 fired pieces included
