DESIGN MUSEUM ACADEMY Young People Workshop
Design Camp for ages 11 to 14: Create in Clay
This workshop will introduce young people to the tactile material of clay and its many properties through a day of hands-on exploration, creating pinch pots, exploring wheel throwing and turning, and making their own crafting tools.
Priority booking for members.
What to expect
This workshop introduces participants to the art of sculpting and carving with clay, inspired by our latest display PLATFORM: Simone Brewster.
Participants will enjoy an immersive pottery experience, learning techniques from mindful mark-making to wheel-throwing. Using tools made from all kinds of materials, young people will discover how far this versatile medium can be pushed.
The day begins with a drawing activity, giving participants space to develop ideas before they start working with clay. They'll then explore the material's different states, from liquid to leather-hard, building an understanding of how it behaves. From there, they'll prepare clay to create pinch pots and have a go on a potter's wheel, developing hands-on skills and confidence.
Throughout the workshop, children will discover the powerful, creative experience of making without fear of failure.
Learning outcomes and takeaways:
- Planning process and making a sketch book
- Mindful drawing experience
- Collaborative pinch pot challenge (making individual pots to then make up into a whole collaborative piece)
- Preparation of clay for wheel throwing and slip
- Throwing on the wheel
- Turning on the wheel
- Sculpting /carving leather-hard clay using a variety of tools
- Inventing tools using recycled materials
- Good studio practice (Tidy, Rest, Reflect)
Please note:
- This workshop is suitable for young people aged 11 to 14. All participants must be dropped off and picked up by an adult. You can find additional information in the sections below
- Capacity is limited, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
- All equipment, materials and light refreshments will be provided, but participants will need to bring a packed lunch.
- This event is wheelchair accessible, with step-free access throughout the museum.
Additional information
- All participants must be dropped off and picked up by a parent, carer or responsible adult. A member of our team will greet you on arrival and sign participants in.
- We ask all bookers to provide an emergency contact name and number. Please ensure this person is available for the duration of the session.
- The workshop content is tailored to a specific age group. Participants outside the advertised age range may find the session less accessible or engaging.
- If there’s anything we can do to support your child’s participation, whether around mobility, communication, sensory processing, emotional regulation or anything else, you’re welcome to let us know at checkout. Sharing access needs is entirely optional and helps us prepare the session in the most inclusive way.
- This session has capacity for up to 20 participants, led by one or two facilitators, with a typical adult-to-child ratio of 1:10.
- If your child receives additional support in their education setting, you are welcome to bring a supporting adult with them at no extra cost. Please note that we are not able to provide one-to-one support ourselves. If you have any questions or want to discuss specific access requirements, please get in touch with the team at DMAcademy@designmuseum.org.
Facilitators
Auriol Herford
Auriol created Kite Studios in 2005 with a vision: to make a creative oasis for all. She teaches adults and children, highly trained artists and people with special needs, at schools and in the studio in W12. Inclusivity is embedded in her ethos. The process of making is what fascinates Auriol and she is driven by finding ways to enable people of all ages, needs and abilities to come on board and engage in that process with her.
Clara Glyn
Clara is a highly skilled artist in her own right and currently training to be an art therapist, Clara’s journey in Art started as a child at Kite Studio. She is now a valid member of the teaching team. Her interest in a range of materials and techniques ignites the curiosity of all the children she teaches.
Izzy Spriggs
With a degree in fine art and sculpture, Isabel brings another angle to our team, and her experience working with young adults with social and communication barriers gives her a deep understanding of guiding groups with a range of needs. Her personal practice chimes with the ethos of Kite Studios, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and process.
Book Online
Booking information
Young person: £81
Young person early bird: £73
Members*: £65
Early bird price available until 3 weeks before the event
Requests for Carer tickets for Design Camps: Please email DMAcademy@designmuseum.org in advance if your child needs additional support
Check the Design Museum Academy refunds and cancellations policy here
*Information on Design Camp tickets for Members:
• 'Family' members: The member’s discount applies to up to 3 Child or Young person’s tickets.
• Access, Student, Individual, and Members & Guest members The member's discount applies to 1 Child or Young person's ticket only.
• Requests for Carer tickets for Design Camps: Please email DMAcademy@designmuseum.org in advance if your child needs additional support.
Booking information for Members:
Please note that we have a new booking system. All Members must now log in to the ticketing platform to book tickets for upcoming events. How to book:
- Click 'Book now’, and this will take you to our new booking platform
- You will be prompted to log in or create an account to complete your booking. Please use the email address registered with your Membership to access Members' discounts and exclusive Members' events
- Choose an event from the drop-down list
- Select the desired tickets, dates and sessions and add them to the cart
- Follow the instructions for checkout and payment
- You will automatically receive an order confirmation email with the details of your booking, along with a PDF with your ticket
- Members don’t need to book tickets for exhibitions and can continue to present their Digital Membership Cards to access exhibitions
If you have any issues, please contact the team at membership@designmuseum.org
For non-members ticketing enquiries, please contact bookings@designmuseum.org
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