Get creative this summer at pottery wheel workshops in Dundalk

A chance to get creative is in store this summer for anyone across Louth and further afield, at a number of fun and creative pottery workshops set to take place at Bó Studios in Dundalk, facilitated by ceramicist and founding member of Bó Studios, Etaoin O'Reilly.

The courses include a Two Day Pottery Wheel, Decorating and Handling Workshop on 5 and 6 July; a five week Pottery Wheel Throwing Workshop running from 23 June to 22 July; and two Saturday Taster Pottery Wheel Classes on 19 July and 16 August. Further details on each of the workshops are below.

Etaoin, who is facilitating the workshops, graduated from NCAD in 2014 with a First Class Honours in Craft Design, and has since completed residencies at NCAD, LSAD and An Táin Arts Centre. She completed training in glaze technology and production pottery on the Design and Crafts Councils of Ireland’s Ceramic Skills Course, in Thomastown, Kilkenny. 

Her achievements include; winner of “The Overall Future Makers Award” for her NCAD degree show and acceptance on the “Young Ambassadors Program”. This program sent her to Venice where she worked for the “Homer Faber Exhibition”. She runs “Etaoin O’Reilly Ceramics” where she sells her own ceramic art work and functional range from Bó Studios.

She is also a founding member of Bó Studios at 6 Jocelyn St in Dundalk. The idea came about when she was completing the Emerging Artist Residency at An Táin Arts Centre in summer 2020 and was dismayed at the lack of suitable affordable artist studio space in the town. Joining forces with three other artists, David Callan, Blathnaid McClean and Olivia Hill, Bó Studios was established and now houses 10 professional visual artists.

Etaoin has shared some details of the upcoming workshops, all of which can be booked through her website here. The workshops are as follows:

Five Week Pottery Wheel Throwing Workshop - In this five week Pottery Workshop, you will get to learn the basics in wheel throwing, where we focus on the techniques of throwing to make you feel more confident using the pottery wheel. At the end of our workshop, you will get to keep three of your creations that Etaoin will glaze and fire in the kiln and you can collect at a later date.

_{Below: photo by Stephen Hurley}

They take place on Monday nights from 23 June until 21 July, running from 6pm - 8pm; and on Tuesday nights from the 24 June until 22 of July running from 6pm - 8pm. Cost per person: €195

Two Day Pottery Wheel, Decorating and Handling Workshop - In this two day workshop, you will get to learn the basics in wheel throwing, where the focus is on the techniques of throwing, to make you feel more confident using the pottery wheel. The focus will be on quality and not quantity, using hands and various tools, all while having fun in a creative space.

On the second day, the pieces made will be decorated and handled. They will be decorated using paper resist which is a fun technique of decorating using the pottery wheel. This two day course will run the weekend of 5-6 of July from 11:00am - 3.30pm both days. Cost per person: €220.

Saturday Taster Pottery Wheel Classes - Wheel Classes! Spin away stress as you shape clay into something magical while making new friends. No experience needed! Just bring your imagination and Etaoin and her colleagues handle the messy bits. The perfect weekend treat for your creative soul. This taster class will take place on both 19 July, from 12-2:00 pm; and on 16 August, from 12-2:00 pm. Cost per person: €60.

_{Below: photo by Stephen Hurley}

Five Week Pottery Wheel Throwing Workshop - Another Five Week Pottery Wheel Throwing Workshop has just been confirmed for September/ October. In this five week Pottery Workshop, learn the basics in wheel throwing, where the focus is on the techniques of throwing to make you feel more confident using the pottery wheel. At the end of the workshop, you will get to keep three of your creations that Etaoin will glaze and fire in the kiln and you can collect at a later date.

They take place on Monday nights from 8 September until 6 October, running from 7-9pm; and on Tuesday nights from 9 September until 7 October, running from 7-9pm. Cost per person: €195.

See https://ceramicsbyetaoinoreilly.com/ for more information.