Clay and Sip Class

The Art Department is running a Clay and Sip class at their studio, 133 King Street in Newcastle, with weekly sessions starting Saturday 1 August and running through to Sunday 20 December. It's a hand-building ceramics workshop, so you're working with your hands rather than a wheel, and it's run by professional pottery teachers. The studio is women-owned and sits on a 4.9 rating from 682 reviews, which gives you a fair idea of the standard they're working to.

They pitch it as a mix of art and socialising, and it's open to beginners and seasoned artists alike, so you don't need to have ever touched clay to fit in. While you work, the studio keeps a cool playlist going in the background. You're provided with all the clay and tools you'll need, plus an apron to keep things tidy, but you bring your own drinks and snacks to sip on while you go.

One thing that sets this apart is the clay they use: it's air-dried, which is softer on the environment. Your piece air-dries at home for about four weeks before it can be fired. If you don't have your own kiln, you can pay extra to have the studio glaze and fire it for you, so you can come back and collect the finished work later. It's a slow process, but that's part of the appeal.

Sessions run every week from 1 August to 20 December, so there are plenty of dates to choose from. It's A$108 per guest, and with every paid booking, ClassBento donates A$1 to Dementia Australia.