Coffee and Claytime Workshop

Coffee and Claytime is back at Grounded By Designs in Carrington, with sessions running from 25 July right through to 28 November. It's a morning workshop for all ages, and the name tells you exactly what's on the table: a coffee from Frankie the van and some time to work with clay in a quiet, supportive space.

The session is about making a simple, functional piece by hand—think a cup, a bowl, or a small vase. You'll start with the basics, like pinch potting, and then move on to adding handles or feet before you start playing around with your own ideas. There's individual guidance throughout, so you're not just left to figure it out on your own.

Grounded By Designs is Newcastle's eco-conscious ceramic studio, tucked inside MOA & co at 16 Gipps Street, Carrington. It's run by photographer and ceramicist Myf Garven, who built it as a place for slow making, creative exploration and community connection, with a focus on sustainability and hand-building. That slow approach is exactly what this workshop is built around—taking a morning for yourself to slow down and make something by hand.

All the tools, materials and plenty of clay are provided, and the studio handles the glazing and firing. Once that's done, your piece will be ready for collection in about four to six weeks. Each session takes in a maximum of six participants, so it stays small and manageable. Tickets are A$120 for all sessions, and they run on 25 July, 8, 22, and 29 August, 12, 19, and 26 September, 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31 October, and 7 and 28 November.