The Leach Sessions: Teapots with Sandy Lockwood
Improvers & Intermediate
Progressing Skills
Date and Time: Saturday 25 – Sunday 26 April 2026, 10am – 4pm.
The Leach Sessions invite renowned international makers to share their approach with the wider Leach Pottery community. Each session offers a chance to learn directly from makers with a strong connection to material, process and tradition, while engaging with contemporary ways of making. The sessions create space for shared learning, conversation and hands-on making within the Leach Pottery’s working environment.
Overview
Across this weekend workshop Sandy will demonstrate her approach to teapots. Through a series of demonstrations sharing each step of the teapot making process, participants will gain insight into Sandy’s techniques. Participants will make each element of the teapot under Sandy’s tutelage and finish at least one teapot by the end of the weekend workshop.
“A teapot is about the most difficult article a potter is called upon to make. In comparison with a vase of equal size it requires in addition, a lid, a handle, a spout, and perforations to retain tea leaves”.
A Potter’s Book, Bernard Leach. 1940
About Sandy
Sandy was born in England of British and Argentinian parents, educated in the UK before emigrating to Australia. She is an accomplished potter who has taught and exhibited internationally. It is wonderful to have Sandy come to teach this workshop for us at the Leach Pottery.
Sandy is known for her finely thrown functional forms, particularly her tea wares. Her work, both functional and sculptural, highlights and celebrates the clay she uses. Sandy is one of Australia’s national treasures and her work has been exhibited internationally. We are so looking forward to hosting this workshop; it’s a rare treat to have Sandy teaching in the UK.
Participants will have time on the wheel with hands on guidance from Sandy to help improve their skills.
On Saturday night Sandy will give an artist talk which all the participants will be welcome to attend at no additional cost. (More details to follow).
The course covers:
Basic clay preparation
Efficient throwing technique
Approaches to throwing lids, spouts and adding handles
Teapot design and functionality
Basic decorative techniques
Sandy’s reflections:
My ceramics practice is centred on exploration of clay and other materials, firing with wood and glazing with salt. Continuous insistent curiosity drives me along this endless path of discovery. Both functional and sculptural works are a vehicle for exploring the expressive potential of clay. It is this exploration that is the foundation of and motivation for my practice.
I aim to allow the material qualities of clay to remain evident throughout the process. My intention to allow the clay to contribute, to have a voice and show its uniquely wide range of expressive capability. The character of clay is significant in guiding the making process. The language of clay forms my visual vocabulary.
I began my journey with clay in 1977 working in a production studio. This was followed by formal study at what is now the National Art School. Since then, I have completed a Master’s degree and a PhD.
My home, studio and kilns are in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia. Here I make and teach workshops on making, glazing and wood firing.
During my career I have exhibited Australia, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, France, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, PRC, United Kingdom and USA.
I have presented papers and teaching workshops in Australia UK, Japan, Denmark, USA, Taiwan, Korea, Hungary, Italy, France and China.
The course is taught in a group, with a maximum of 12 participants, in one of the Leach Pottery’s purpose-built Learning & Production Studios*, allowing for focused teaching and a supportive working environment.
This course takes place during a time of change at the Leach Pottery. It is hoped that all teaching from the start of April 2026 will take place in the newly opened studios. If however there is a delay in completing the building, this workshop will take place in Bernard Leach’s old studio. The course is currently open to 5 participants, if however we are fortunate to gain access to the new studios as scheduled, we will open the course to a wider group – making a 12 participant capacity for this course.
Please contact Charmiane.orkamfat@leachpottery.com if you would like to be put on the waiting list to be contacted if a place becomes available. the capacity for the workshop. increases from 5- 12.
Structure
Day 1:
Arrival at 9:30am. Short tour and orientation from a member of the Leach team.
Introductions from Sandy Lockwood and participants
Warm up exercise for everyone on the wheel
Sandy to demonstrate throwing teapot bodies
Participants start working on their teapot bodies
Lunch 1-1:30pm
Spout and lid demonstrations followed by participants working on theirs
Day 2:
Start at 10am
Demonstrations to start the day: lid trimming and spout attaching
Participants continue to work on their teapots
Lunch 1-1:30pm
Sandy demonstrates forming and adding handles
Participants add handles to their teapots
Potential for decorative techniques if we have time
Firing
Due to the nature of the Leach Sessions, many participants may have means to fire their own work independently. Participants are welcome to take away up to 5 pieces from the workshop.
Should a participant wish to have one of their pots fired and glazed at the Leach Pottery they are welcome to arrange this during their course for an additional fee of *£28 to cover firing, glazing and postage. *If the address that you would like your work posting to is non-UK, extra postage will apply.
These courses are written to help participants build strong, repeatable skills through hands-on practice and expert guidance from the tutor. We don’t take a firing-focused approach. This emphasis on making—without the pressure or attachment that often comes with firing—encourages a more focused, process-led experience.
Ability & Skill Level
These throwing courses are suitable for both improvers and advanced participants. As sessions are taught in small groups, the tutor is able to provide tailored support to each participant, regardless of their skill level. Abilities are self-identified, so there may be a range of experience within the group—but everyone is supported at their own pace.
When: Saturday 25 – Sunday 26 April 2026
Where: Either Bernard’s studio or the new Leach Pottery Learning & Production Studios (explanation below)
Places: 5 (if the course is delivered in Bernard’s studio). If we are lucky enough to be in the new building then we can have up to 12 participants.
Price: £380
Duration: 2 days. Core teaching hours: 10am – 4pm
Equipment & materials: clay and a basic tool kit is provided. We focus on building core skills and working directly with the clay to get the most from a core selection of tools. Please bring additional tools if you wish to use them along with an apron and hand towel.
Level: Improver & Intermediate (See here for explanation of skill level criteria)
We are delighted to offer one 10% discount in our Shop during your course.
Any questions? Please visit out FAQ — The Leach Pottery
Please be aware, only assistance dogs are allowed in the Learning spaces.
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