Join ceramicist Lauren McNicoll for an immersive 8-week Hand Building course at SET Ceramics, run by SET, a contemporary arts organisation and registered charity in London. This vibrant community pottery studio, located near Fenchurch Street Station, offers a welcoming space for beginners and intermediate makers to explore the fundamentals of sculpting, building, and decorating with clay, while experimenting with playful and innovative techniques.

About the Course:
Over eight weeks, participants will learn essential hand-building methods including pinching, coiling, and slab construction. The course encourages creative experimentation, inviting students to explore sculptural forms in a hands-on, embodied way—including using the body as a tool to shape clay. Each session balances technical instruction with individual exploration, allowing students to develop both confidence and creativity in the studio.

Course Dates and Times:

• Sundays, 10:00 – 12:30

• 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 November; 7, 14 December; 4 January

• Breaks: 21 and 28 December
  Please note: missed classes cannot be made up at a later date.

Class Size:
Limited to 6 participants to ensure focused guidance and sufficient workspace for everyone.

About the Tutor:
Lauren McNicoll works across sculpture, education, and facilitation, exploring clay as a medium for connection, memory, and embodied creativity. She leads experimental workshops that merge movement and making, encouraging intuitive approaches alongside technical foundation. Lauren has exhibited at VFD, Pocko Gallery, and Ugly Duck, and currently works at Tannery Arts, Bermondsey.

About SET Ceramics:

SET is a contemporary arts organisation and registered charity in London, providing affordable studios for artists and transforming vacant spaces into vibrant hubs for creativity and community. Its public arts programme embraces inclusivity, accessibility, and affordability, spanning exhibitions, film festivals, performances, music, talks, workshops, and more, across specialist spaces such as SET Social, SET Vault, SET 91, and SET Ceramics.

SET Ceramics is a fully equipped community pottery studio in a former Key Cutters and Cobblers on Crutched Friars, less than a minute from Fenchurch Street Station. The studio features a 220-litre kiln, four pottery wheels, hand-building and glazing facilities, and offers a welcoming space for makers of all levels. Courses, studio memberships, and workshops provide opportunities to develop skills and connect with other creatives. Follow on Instagram: @setceramicset.

Practical Information:

• Venue: SET Ceramics, 35 Crutched Friars, EC3N 2AE

• Cost: £224–£280

• Booking: Required via SET website

• Access: Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult

This course offers a hands-on, inspiring introduction to hand-building ceramics in London’s creative heart, perfect for anyone looking to explore clay in a supportive, playful environment.