Last month, myself and two colleagues had the chance to head along to Bisque Studios in Northcote for their Intro Workshop. Admittedly, none of us had touched clay since high school. The fact that this workshop was being run by Kate Brouwer (the brains and nimble hands behind elegant Absobimasu Clay) and dream girl Tantri Mustika (of her eponymous ceramics practice) had us striding through the door. We didn’t know it at the time, but wine and cheese were waiting, along with some wonderfully welcoming and considered tuition.

The just-opened Bisque Studios was born to ‘support ceramic artists’. This beautifully light and airy workspace offers friendly-yet-fruitful classes for beginners to intermediate students working, on the wheel as well as in hand building. ‘Most importantly we’re a community,’ explains founder Kate.

There are terms of weekly wheel classes to take you from no-idea to why-thankyou-I-actually-made-it-myself as well as skills-focussed sessions – if you’re interested in mastering Nerokomi basics, making your own breaky set, or just dipping your fingers into a rewarding introductory session as we did.

If you’ve already advanced to creating on your own pieces, Bisque offers studio access, including use of equipment, classroom area, and storage of materials. It is also currently home to resident artists Kate, Tantri and Grace Brown of Oh Hey Grace. It was honestly a bit special to be making alongside such accomplished creatives, and the welcoming space is filled with all the stuff, support, and inspiration needed to get you started.

I’ll keep you posted on how my first attempt turned out post-firing and glazing… as well as subsequent spoils from future classes! In any case, Ashley, Chelsea and I went away with a much greater understanding, new practical skills, and sore tummies from lots of laughs!

Bisque Studios
2/167 Beavers Street
Northcote, Victoria