Fantasy Worlds: Quirky Clay Characters - Image 2

Fantasy Worlds: Quirky Clay Characters

$230.00

Build a world of quirky clay characters in this playful two-part course for children aged 6–12. Create your own fairies, gnomes, dragons, monsters, animals or other curious creatures while exploring simple techniques for making expressive figures and characters.

Expect colour, imagination and plenty of personality as you invent characters and create a fantastical world for them to inhabit. No experience needed.

Date:	Monday 18 & Tuesday 19 January 2027
Time:	1pm - 4pm
Teacher(s):	Anna O'Neale & Paul Dumetz
Location:	Workshop One

9 SPOTS LEFT

Description

Step into a world of curious characters, fantastical creatures and wild imagination with Anna O’Neale and Paul Dumetz.

Across two playful sessions, children will explore the fun of making characters and creatures from clay. They might create a cheeky gnome, a tiny fairy, a fierce dragon, a strange little monster, a favourite animal or a character entirely from their own imagination. Each creation can have its own personality, expression, clothing, accessories and story.

The first session will focus on building figures and creatures, exploring simple ways to create bodies, faces, limbs, ears, wings, horns, tails and other characterful details. Children will begin developing their own characters and thinking about the worlds they might inhabit.

The second session will focus on refining the characters and bringing them to life with colour and decoration. Children can also create miniature houses, caves, plants, gardens and other features to build a world around their creations.

Expect bright colours, playful patterns, texture and plenty of quirky details. There are no rules about what belongs in a fantasy world. Dragons can live alongside gnomes, monsters can have tiny houses and ordinary animals can become fantastical creatures.

Designed for children aged 6–12 who enjoy making figures, animals and imaginative characters, this course encourages creativity, storytelling and experimentation through clay. No previous experience is necessary.

THROUGHOUT THE COURSE, YOU WILL:

Create your own quirky characters, figures and fantastical creatures.
Explore handbuilding, modelling and joining techniques.
Experiment with expressive faces, poses, wings, horns, tails and accessories.
Create miniature houses, gardens and other elements for a fantasy world.
Experiment with colour, pattern, texture and underglaze decoration.
Prepare completed pieces for firing.

FACILITATOR BIO

Anna O’Neale
Anna O’Neale is a Canberra-based ceramic sculptor and experienced, much-loved teacher at Canberra Potters. Her artistic practice explores playful, character-filled creatures that blur the boundaries between human, animal and machine. Combining humour, imagination and sculptural form, her work brings unexpected personalities to life in clay.

Anna brings this same sense of curiosity and playfulness to her teaching, encouraging young makers to experiment, explore their ideas and create their own imaginative forms. Through handbuilding, sculpting and surface decoration, she helps children discover the possibilities of clay in a welcoming and creative environment.

Anna graduated from the Australian National University with a Bachelor of Visual Arts in Ceramics in 2015 and was awarded a Canberra Potters residency in 2016. She has since become an established part of Canberra Potters’ teaching team, sharing her skills and enthusiasm for ceramics with children and adults alike.

Paul Dumetz
Paul Dumetz is a Canberra-based ceramic artist who works across both sculptural and functional ceramics. His sculptural practice reflects a longstanding fascination with animals and their place in the natural world, exploring their character, strength, beauty and emotional presence.

Paul studied ceramics at the ANU School of Art between 2001 and 2006, completing a Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Diploma of Arts. He joined Canberra Potters as a technical assistant in 2006 and began assisting pottery classes in 2009. With more than 15 years of experience supporting classes at Canberra Potters, Paul brings extensive practical knowledge of clay and ceramic processes to the studio.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Session 1: Creating Characters & Creatures

The course begins with exploring how simple clay forms can be transformed into imaginative characters and creatures. Children will use handbuilding and modelling techniques to create figures, animals or fantastical beings, experimenting with bodies, faces, limbs and distinctive features.

There will be plenty of opportunity to develop individual personalities through expressive faces, poses, wings, horns, tails and other details. Children will also begin thinking about the stories behind their characters and the kinds of places they might call home.

Session 2: Building a Fantasy World

Children will refine their characters, add finishing details and explore colourful ways to bring their creations to life. Using underglazes, they will experiment with patterns, textures and decorative features.

The session will also explore creating miniature environments, with opportunities to make houses, caves, gardens, plants and other elements to complement their characters. Children can bring their ideas together to create a collection of imaginative pieces ready for firing.

OUTCOMES
By the end of the course, participants will have:

Created their own clay characters, figures or fantastical creatures.
Developed basic sculptural skills using modelling and handbuilding techniques.
Experimented with creating miniature environments and imaginative settings.
Used underglazes and surface decoration to personalise their work.
Prepared their pieces for firing.
Developed their ideas through creative experimentation and storytelling.

NOTES

Suitable for children aged 6–12.
No previous clay experience is necessary.
Please bring an old towel and an apron.
Children should bring their own lunch or substantial snack and a water bottle.

Fees: Include tuition, studio access, clay, materials, glazing and firing.

WHAT TO BRING

An old towel and an apron.
Lunch or a substantial snack.
A water bottle.

Wear sturdy, covered shoes. Long hair must be tied back, and please leave precious jewellery at home for safety.

Important Details

Experience: No prior experience is necessary. This class is open to children 6-12 years.
Our staff: All our staff are experienced potters and have current WWVP clearances.
What to Wear: Relaxed clothing and sturdy covered shoes are required. Long hair should be tied back, and precious jewellery should be left at home.
What to Bring: Children should bring an old towel, apron, lunch or a substantial snack, and a drink.
What do we need to know: Is there anything we need to know to help your child get the most out of the day? These can be discussed in confidence with the Education Program Manager, at education@canberrapotters.com.au or on 02 6241 1670 prior to the class.
Duration: The class runs from 1pm – 4pm both days.
Location: Workshop 1
Fees: Includes tuition, clay, resources, glazing, and firing of up to four pieces.
Studio Clean-Up: To maintain a safe and healthy environment, participants are required to clean their workspaces and assist with the general clean-up of the workshop before the end of the class. We ask parents to discuss this requirement with their children prior to attending.

For Parents and Carers Supporting a Child with Additional Needs:

Please arrange this in advance by contacting us at education@canberrapotters.com.au so we can ensure reasonable adjustments are made.
Attendance is subject to Canberra Potters’ discretion, a current Working with Vulnerable People card, health & safety practices, and availability.
For health & safety reasons, children 5 years and under are not permitted in the workshops.

Terms and Conditions

Refund Policy – Classes & Short Courses:

Class fees will be refunded, less a 10% admin fee, if cancellation is notified more than 10 business days before the first class date.
If less than 10 business days’ notice is given then a refund, less 10%, will only be given if the place can be taken by another student otherwise the full fee is forfeited.
Please view your booking as a commitment to attend.
Classes cannot be transferred from one term to another or one year to another.
If a class is cancelled due to lack of enrolments, 100% of your class fee will be refunded.
All changes to bookings and refunds incur a 10% administration fee.
Canberra Potters will not issue refunds for missed classes or missed emails. Please ensure you have saved the following Canberra Potters emails to your contact list.
Canberra Potters is a teaching facility and students attend our classes to learn about pottery. Imperfect, broken and cracked items are part of the learning process. We do not provide refunds for work that cracks or breaks while drying, during firing or in general class activities.