Recommended for ages 10+. Children may be dropped off for this workshop.

Drop and go for ages 10+. Parents are welcome to stay if preferred, but this is a supervised independent workshop.

What to bring: Water bottle

What we’ll be making: A fully functional hand-built ceramic mug, glazed and kiln-fired for everyday use

Step into the hands-on world of ceramics in this creative and skill-building workshop designed especially for teens and tweens, where participants will design and create their own functional ceramic mug from scratch using traditional hand-building techniques.

Throughout the session, participants will learn how to shape clay using methods such as pinch pot, joining, and refining forms to construct a sturdy, comfortable mug designed for everyday use. They will explore how to build handles, smooth surfaces, and consider both form and function as they bring their unique design ideas to life.

Once the mug has been built and carefully finished, students will also learn the basics of glazing — selecting colours, applying glaze techniques, and understanding how surface finishes transform the final piece after firing. This introduces them to an essential stage of ceramic art-making and helps them understand the full creative process from raw clay to finished object.

Working with clay provides a wide range of developmental benefits for teens, including improved fine motor control, spatial awareness, patience, focus, and problem-solving skills. It also encourages creative decision-making, mindfulness, and resilience as students work through the tactile process of shaping and refining their work.

Each piece will then be professionally kiln-fired, turning the soft clay into durable ceramic ware suitable for everyday use. Finished mugs will be ready for collection approximately 6–8 weeks after the workshop date, once firing and glazing processes are complete. Parents will be contacted when the work is ready for pickup.

This workshop offers teens a meaningful introduction to ceramics while giving them the opportunity to create something both beautiful and functional — a handmade mug they can proudly use or gift for years to come.