Hands on Clay
Pottery

Known all over India for its leadership in the field of ceramic education, the Pottery Programs from Life and Art Academy provide a creative and conducive learning environment for a dynamic mix of students, from beginners to advanced learners. Complementing the wide range of courses are live production studio experiences, glaze manufacturing unit, internships, master classes, demonstrations by visiting artists and more.

We are an Authorised Training Centre registered with EDUCATIONAL BOARD OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING & RESEARCH (An Autonomous Board of Vocational Education Registered with Govt of Maharashtra/mum 2016 with Govt of India (Reg) National Skill Development and All Education Activities Training Association Certified Board

Life & Art Academy is proud to be the first to introduce the art of Pottery and Ceramics in Chennai in the form of a structured Professional Certificate Course and Certificate Courses made available to all. Our Academy provides students with world class equipment, top branded electronic kilns and high quality pottery wheels.

At Life & Art Academy, we offer a variety of Pottery courses for students to choose from.

Professional Programmes:
Pottery & Ceramics as a career. Learn to become a professional potter and create your signature brand of products.

Short Term Programmes:
Explore pottery as a hobby with our short term courses.

Specialization Elective Certificate Courses:
Suitable for students who have completed Professional Pottery Course or Intermediate potters looking to specialize in additional skills.

Key Features of our Pottery Courses
  • In-depth syllabus on par with International Schools
  • Recognised Certificate from Govt of India - EDUCATIONAL BOARD OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING & RESEARCH
  • Entrepreneurial Skill Development: Learn to produce, price and promote your creations
  • Opportunties for a paid internship with our in-house production facility

Professional Certificate Course in Pottery

In Tamil Nadu, the art of pot making is neither new nor unheard of. Our rich history records the beautiful tradition of this art through the hands of artisans who created dolls, utensils, and other household articles. Today, this art has evolved with time and has taken a new shape as one of the top preferred choices used in interior décors. We live in an age where people understand the value of handmade objects and ask for customized art creations for their homes.

Our Professional Certificate Course in Pottery provides students complete in-depth knowledge and skill to evolve as a successful artist in the field of Pottery & Ceramics. In this programme, students progress from being first time potters to expert creators within a short span of one year.The programme begins with basic understanding of clay, techniques of hand building and moulding, working with the pottery wheel and creating shapes and glazing. After many sessions which provide them training and techniques teaching, students mature into creating ceramic sculptures.

Once the basics are completed, our Professional Certificate Course students enjoy the exclusive privilege of learning two additional skills –Ceramic Murals and Ceramic Installations, which are unavailable in the Certificate Courses. Murals and Installations are fast becoming the top choice for interior décors used in modern constructions, corporate offices, galleries and in other high profile locations.

What makes our course the Number 1 choice for students?
  • In-depth syllabus on par with International School.
  • Practical Sessions from Day 1.
  • Learn from experienced Master Potter.
  • All-in-One Comprehensive program on Wheel Pottery, Hand Pottery & Ceramic Glazing.
  • Additional Special Syllabus Inclusions like Murals, Sculptures & Installations.
  • Opportunities to work on Real-time projects. Earn as you learn.
  • Full-fledged pottery studio with State of the Art Equipment.
  • A condusive learning space that nurtures creativity and hones the skills of students.
  • Over 50+ successful alumni, who have emerged as skilled potters and are developing a signature style.
Programme fee: Rs.2,50,000/- (Can be paid in 2 installments)
Duration: 6 months (480 hours)


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Advanced Professional Certificate Course in Pottery

Our Advanced Professional Certificate Course in Pottery aims to bridge the gap between the skilled potter in you and the successful entrepreneur you aspire to become. This program is the ideal stepping stone for students who have completed their professional certificate course in pottery and are looking at developing their signature brand or working on commercial projects.

Large-scale production, Mold Making, Developing a signature style, Creating Collections for a market, Specialized ceramic glazing, Pricing, Promotions, and Photography are some of the key highlights of this course.

On course completion, you will get a Graded Certificate from EDUCATIONAL BOARD OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING & RESEARCH, Government of India.

Course Overview:
  • Learn the fundamentals of pottery production: Mold Making, Slip casting, Product Design and Mass production
  • Advanced Glaze Study: Unity Molecular Formula, Material Knowledge, Study of line blend and volumetric blend. Study of different types of glazes. Ramp firing mode.
  • Creative Thought Process: Developing a signature style. Ideate, create, experiment and work on several product designs.
  • Using Power Tools, Repair & Re-Glaze, & Kiln Maintenance.
  • Additional Special Syllabus Inclusions like Murals, Sculptures & Installations.
  • Additional Learning: Clay Printing, Glass Fusion
  • Special Inclusion: 2 weeks class in Basics of Photography
  • Capstone Project in R&D
  • Portfolio Presentation
  • Entrepreneurial Skill Development: Learn to Procure, Produce, Price and Promote!
Programme fee: Rs.2,75,000/- (Can be paid in 2 installments)
Duration: 4 months (320 hours)
Introductory offer: For students who have already completed PPC 1 (professional pottery), Rs.25,000/- will be waived off. Course fee: Rs.250,000/-


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Specialized Pottery

The Specialized Pottery Course is an all-encompassing pottery program that focuses on wheel pottery, hand pottery, and ceramic glazing. Students will learn to create various objects, experiment with different techniques and processes, delve into their creative interests and develop their individual styles.

On course completion, you will get a Graded Certificate from EDUCATIONAL BOARD OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING & RESEARCH, Government of India.

Course Overview:
  • Course begins with the Basics of Pottery
  • Students will progress to amateur and intermediate levels
  • Use of pottery tools
  • Hand Pottery and Surface Decoration
  • Working with large volumes of clay and throwing off the hump
  • Introduction to ceramic glazing
  • Ceramic Sculpting
Programme fee: Rs.1,75,000/- (Can be paid in 2 installments)
One Time Registration Fees: Rs.500/-
Duration: 3 months (240 hours)

To know class schedules and availability of slots, click here.



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Specialization Elective Certificate Courses

Upon completion of the Professional Certificate Course in Pottery at Life and Art Academy, students have the option of taking up the following as elective courses. Intermediate potters who are looking to upskill themselves can also apply for these courses.

  1. BASICS OF CERAMIC GLAZING
    Glaze Composition, Types, Mediums, Application, Atmosphere, Defects and Effects.
    Duration: 8 days. (20 hours - 2.5 hours of class every day)
    Cost: Rs.35,000/-
  2. FUNDAMENTALS OF POTTERY PRODUCTION
    Mold Making, Slip casting, Product Design and Mass production
    Duration: 2 Months (60 hours + 10 hours of Project)
    Cost: Rs.60,000/-
  3. ADVANCED GLAZE STUDY
    Unity Molecular Formula, Material Knowledge, Study of line blend and volumetric blend. Study of different types of glazes. Ramp firing mode.
    Duration: 60 hours + 10 hours of Project
    Cost: Rs.75,000/-
  4. CREATIVE THOUGHT PROCESS
    Developing a signature style, Ideate, create, experiment and work on several product designs.
    Duration: 60 hours + 10 hours of Project
    Cost: Rs.50,000/-
  5. SCULPTING FOR POTTERY
    Figurine sculpting, Blending two art forms - pottery and sculpting, explore sculpting as an accompaniment to wheel pottery and make your creations unique and create a signature style.
    Duration: 8 days. (20 hours - 2.5 hours of class every day)
    Cost: Rs.35,000/-

Certificate Courses in Pottery

At Life & Art, we offer a range of short-term Certificate Courses for everyone who is interested to learn the art of pottery. The courses progress in a series of levels, increasing in complexity and technique. Apart from the Introductory Programme (Level 1 – First Time Potter), all other courses offer certificates on successful completion.

  • Level 1 - First Time Potter
  • Level 2 - Amateur Potter
  • Level 3 - Hand Pottery & Surface Decoration
  • Level 4 - Intermediate Potter
  • Level 5 - Advanced Potter
  • Level 6 - Ceramic Sculpting
  • Specialized Pottery Course - All Levels

It is mandatory for all students to complete each level before advancing to the next level. If a student has prior experience with pottery and wishes to directly begin at a higher level, this can be discussed with our Director.

Level 1 -
First Time Potter (Introductory Programme):

This is your chance to experience the art of pottery at the very basic level. Our course is specially designed to cater to students of all ages who have never tried their hand at pottery before. We begin the classes at the most basic level, providing an introduction into the realm of pottery, understanding and preparing the clay, wedging and kneading techniques, centering the clay on the wheel, creation of basic shapes, hand building and surface decorations techniques.

This is a first level course that is mandatory for anyone who is interested in learning pottery. However, certification will not be provided for this course.

Course fee: Rs. 20,000/-
(Incl Apron & Tool Kit and Regn fee)
Course duration: 24 hours
This course follows a batch system every month. To know the upcoming batch schedule and availability, click here
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Level 2 -
Amateur Potter:

Students who have completed our first level course (or a similar course elsewhere) are eligible to take up this course. In this course, students will be moving to the next level of shapes, moving from the basic cylinders created in the previous course, to creating various pot shapes, bowls, pitchers, bottles etc. They will be introduced how to use pottery tools to create more intricate shapes and designs. They will also learn the art of trimming and final finishing of the products.

Students will have to work towards completing a final project at the end of the course, based on which they will be graded. Certification will be provided for this course.

Course fee: Rs. 20,000/-
Course duration: 20 hours (16 hours of training; 4 hours of final project development)
To know class schedules and availability of slots, click here
Enroll

Level 3 -
Hand Pottery and Surface Decoration:

There is a lot to learn in pottery, without using the pottery wheel. In this level, the techniques of hand pottery are taught, which are important for every potter. Emphasis is given on surface decoration as well. Students begin this level by learning the methodical ‘Pinch Pottery’. Pinching can be used for ornamental or functional purpose and is a widely used process from ancient times to now. Students learn ‘Coil Pottery’ in the next step and create bowls, cups etc. ‘Slab Pottery’ is an essential learning in this level, it allows the student to create shapes that are otherwise difficult to achieve using a wheel. Further, students progress to learn ‘Surface Decoration’, where Carving, Etching, Sprigging, Faceting, Creating Cutworks, Texturing and more are taught.

Students will have to work towards completing a final project at the end of the course, based on which they will be graded. Certification will be provided for this course.

Course fee: Rs. 17,000/-
Course duration: 20 hours (16 hours of training; 4 hours of final project development)
To know class schedules and availability of slots, click here
Enroll

Level 4 –
Intermediate Potter:

In this course students will be introduced to a higher level of pottery and will learnto create intricate designs and shapes. This is the stage where students transform into fine potters, who create consistent shapes, creative designs, various sizes and shapes and master the art of perfect wheel throwing.Students will also learn how to handle large volumes of clay and throwing off the hump.

As an Intermediate Potter, this is an enjoyable stage where you evolve into an artist, giving life to your own creativity on the wheel. The final project in this course will be creating a unique object that displays all the techniques learnt so far. Students will be graded on their understanding and finesse of the final project and will be provided with certification.

Course fee: Rs.22,000/-
Course duration: 20 hours (16 hours of training; 4 hours of final project development)
To know class schedules and availability of slots, click here
Enroll

Level 5 -
Advanced Potter:

Once the students have understood and mastered the techniques of pottery, this is where they beautify and give life to their creations. In this level, students are introduced to ceramic glazing, which opens a whole new world of possibilities and creativity to them. One of the key elements that will be taught is the firing process, setting the temperatures and modes for the perfect finished artwork. Mastery of this art requires continuous practice and concentration.

As an Advanced Potter, students will have to complete a final project which encompasses all the techniques learnt so far in both wheel pottery and glazing. Students will be graded on their understanding and finesse of the final project and will be provided with certification.

Course fee: Rs. 26,000/-
Course duration: 20 hours (16 hours of training; 4 hours of final project development)
To know class schedules and availability of slots, click here
Enroll

Level 6 –
Ceramic Sculpting:

Ceramic Sculpting is a unique and special course which has been designed for the students who want to stand apart from the crowd and make their mark in the world of ceramic creation.

By this stage, students would have become experts at the art of Pottery. Ceramic Sculpting, can be called the true test of an artist. Ceramic Sculpting is the culmination of two art forms – Pottery and Sculpting. Students will learn how to bring together these two great forms and bring life to their creations.

In short, Ceramic Sculpting is the pinnacle in the art of pottery making, where students complete the learning cycle and emerge as fine artists, not unlike how the simple clay transforms into a beautiful piece of art. Here, students would bring together all that they have learnt thus far, coupled with their own artistic touch and create sculptures that define them as creators. They create their own unique style and individuality as ceramic artists.

This is a very challenging stage which involves a lot of understanding, dedication, time, effort and practice from the students.

Course fee: Rs. 24,000/-
Course duration: 25 hours of training
To know class schedules and availability of slots, click here
Enroll

Career Scope

Life and Art Academy’s pottery courses are designed to provide students the practical knowledge and confidence to successfully establish and run their own creative studio catering to various industries such as modern constructions, interior decorators, architectural firms, innovative gifting solutions, home décor, crockery and cutlery firms and much more. The additional skills of Ceramic Murals and Installations give our students a fantastic opportunity to become fine artists with the ability to develop their own distinct style in their work and successfully launch their businesses.

We are proud to announce that our network of alumni is growing. Our students are moving ahead professionally by becoming budding entrepreneurs in India as well as course faculty in pottery studios in Dubai and USA.

As the field is still in its infancy, it is an undiscovered territory offering ripe opportunities for qualified and skilled potters to make their mark in the industry.

Enrol with Life & Art Academy’s Pottery courses today, to kickstart your career in the field of pottery!

Grading and Fee Structure

PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMMES IN POTTERY & CERAMICS:
Specialized Pottery / Professional Certificate Course in Pottery / Advanced Professional Certificate Course in Pottery

Students who have completed any of the three Professional Programmes in Pottery & Ceramics are eligible for the graded certificate from the EDUCATIONAL BOARD OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING & RESEARCH, Government of India.

In addition to the certificate from Educational Board, they will also receive a certificate from Life and Art Academy, recognizing their course completion.

Exam Procedure:
- Final Project
- Practical Exam
- Viva

Examination Fee: EBVTR Certificate - Examination Fee: Rs.1500/-
Life and Art Academy Certificate Fee: Nil
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SHORT TERM CERTIFICATE PROGRAMMES / SPECIALIZATION ELECTIVE CERTIFICATE COURSES

Students of all Courses would have to submit a final project at the end of their respective course. Upon satisfactory completion, they will receive a certificate from Life and Art Academy, recognizing their course completion.


Please note: All students will be charged Rs.500/- as a one-time registration fee for all course at Life & Art Academy.

Life & Art Academy
Membership

Our relationship with the students is not limited to just the duration of the course. After completing the course, students are welcome to become members of the Life & Art Academy as Practicing Potters and continue to use our studio to keep in touch with the art. Basic membership charges begin from Rs.7000/- onwards. Depending on usage requirements, charges may vary which will be discussed in person.

Teacher Training

Teacher Training Module available for this programme. Click here for more content.

This is an advanced training program for students who intend to become teachers of pottery. Students would have to complete all the 5 levels of pottery and then opt for this advanced training. More details is available on request.

Alumni Speech