Clay and Sip Class

The Art Department is running its Clay and Sip class at 133 King Street in Newcastle, with a session on Friday 24 July and plenty more to choose from throughout the winter and spring. It's a hand-building ceramics class led by professional pottery teachers, and they pitch it as a mix of art and socialising that works for beginners and seasoned artists alike. The studio describes it as a friendly, open environment where you'll leave with your hands covered in clay and a playlist to work along to.

All the clay and tools are provided, so you don't need to bring your own gear. They do encourage you to bring along your favourite drink and some snacks to keep you going while you work. The studio is a women-owned business with a 4.9 out of 5 rating from 679 reviews, and every paid booking includes a A$1 donation to Dementia Australia.

If you want to take your piece home, you can have it fired and glazed for an extra A$30. From there, shipping is A$15 within NSW and A$18 to the rest of Australia. The class runs from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and tickets are between A$125 and A$133. Beyond the 24 July date, there are sessions from 24 to 30 July, 31 July to 30 August, and 4 to 20 September, plus a Saturday session on 7 November.