Photo (top): Colette Steindel, 2023 Emerging Makers participant.
Photo (middle): 2023 Emerging Makers market opening night – (L-R) Sandra Sterland (participant), Jo Townsend (mentor), Stephanie Johnston (participant), Jacqui Keogh (participant), Sandie Johnston (participant), Tara Cheyne MLA (former ACT Minister for the Arts), Colette Steindl (participant), Sue Cant (mentor), Andrea Baldry (participant).
Photo (bottom): Andrea Baldry, 2023 Emerging Makers participant
Are you ready to start selling your work at local and regional markets? Not sure where to begin with marketing, setup, or logistics?
We’re seeking expressions of interest from makers who want to take their clay journey to the next level.
Our Emerging Makers Market Ready course is designed specifically to help emerging potters like you turn passion into profit with all the tools and mentorship you need.
Whether you’re aiming to build a full-time pottery career, launch a side hustle, or simply testing the waters, this course will guide you in creating a successful market presence. We will help you to identify yourself as an artist and maker and to promote your work effectively.
Course Overview
The Market Ready course is structured to equip you with hands-on skills, personalised guidance, and direct market experience through our Emerging Makers Market. The course will kick off with a two-day intensive workshop, setting the foundation for your venture. From there, you’ll have regular three-hour sessions with expert mentors, Jo Townsend and Sue Cant, working towards showcasing and selling your pottery and ongoing mentoring sessions with experienced potters and tutors.
Highlights of the course will include:
- A Stall at Our Emerging Makers Market: Experience a real market environment with a stall fee included in your course fee.
- Personalised Mentoring: Our skilled tutors offer one-on-one mentoring and group support, helping you stay focused on your goals.
- Regular Access to Mentors and Network Support: Build valuable connections with fellow makers and tutors for ongoing support and inspiration.
- Course Materials: A comprehensive course folder with all the guidance you need to succeed.
- Regular workshops; to learn and practice your skills within a supportive environment.
What You’ll Learn
Our in-depth curriculum covers every aspect of setting up and selling pottery successfully:
- Preparing for Market – Setting realistic goals and getting organised.
- Developing Your Inventory – Plan your production schedule to ensure you have enough work to meet demand.
- Finding Your Style – Create a cohesive collection that expresses your unique style.
- Understanding Your Market – Identify your target audience and learn how to meet their needs.
- Social Media Mastery – Learn to build an authentic online presence that effectively promotes your work.
- Photography Essentials – learn the basics to start capturing quality images to showcase your pottery and elevate your online profile.
- Market Day Essentials – Learn how to set up your stall, manage stock, price your items, and engage with customers.
Timing / dates
Dates are yet to be confirmed, however the course will likely occur between late-March and August 2026, with the Emerging Maker Market occurring around August/September 2026.
The course will include 30 hours of mentoring time, over 2 x full day intensive workshops and regular 3 hour sessions in the lead up the Emerging Makers Maket.
Cost
The indicative program cost is $1290.
If you’re keen to launch your pottery practice with confidence, skills, and the support of experienced mentors, please fill in the expression of interest form below by 5pm, Wednesday 11 February 2026.
After Expressions of Interest close, we will make a determination on whether the course can proceed, noting we will need a minimum of 8 participants. We will contact all interested participants with further information in late-February.
If you have any questions regarding the course please contact Fiona at Education@canberrapotters.com.au.
Expression of Interest Form
Emerging Makers Mentoring Program
Testimonials from past participants:
‘I found this course extremely valuable. I learnt about all aspects of marketing including social media, advertising and networking, as well as what items to sell and how to best display them. Sue and Jo have vast experience and knowledge to impart, and we’re always on hand to answer questions and give advice.’ 2023 Participant Testimonial
‘The Emerging Makers Market Ready course is so much more than just getting ready for a market. It is an essential learning experience that provides a framework for personal development as well as exceptional support and guidance to facilitate building your pottery business into something more than just a hobby.’ 2023 Participant Testimonial
‘The course materials were of excellent quality, and a good resource to reference.’ 2023 Participant Testimonial
‘Both Sue and Jo were proficient in their expertise. We were given lots of reading materials and class discussions to reinforce the basics of the course. There were also very good photography tips to photograph pots. Both Sue and Jo equipped us with photographic gear to assist with the exercises. There was also excellent exercises pricing our pots from Jo, Sue and Abbey. Both Sue and Jo were extremely generous with their time, answering questions, addressing our fears, giving lots of encouragement and basically holding our hands all the way.’ 2023 Participant Testimonial
