Fursbreck Academy

We have run some great courses since 2009, as you can see in the happy faces of some of our students. So have a look below and see if you fancy joining in.

Download this years program
and booking form (.doc file)
Video (wmv)

..... 2012 .....

May….2012

Prehistoric Pottery
Sunday 6th May to Friday 11th

Your chance to dig Orkney clay and find out what it is really like. to creating ancient pottery and gather skills of the past. We will also use contemporary clays and some of the clay from our French clay pit to supplement what you dig locally. We will also fire some of the pottery in wood fired kiln out doors, taste Neolithic cuisine and learn through discussion and immersion. Course fee: £570.00(including accommodation)

..... 2011 .....

NOVEMBER….2011

Throwing for The Aspiring
End of November, dates to be arranged.

A simple, structured practical introduction to throwing pots with confidence. This is a residential course so the fee includes accommodation, breakfast and lunch. This is a week of intense hands on practice with a master potter. It is proving to be very popular and a milestone learning experience for people who have a serious interest in pottery.

SEPTEMBER….2011

Throwing for The Aspiring
Sunday 25th September to Friday 30th

A simple and structured practical introduction to throwing pots with confidence. Course fee: £525.00(including accommodation) A further day to glaze and finish your pieces can be arranged. Cost, £40.00. There may be a materials cost for larger items.

JUNE…2011

Medieval Tile Making
Sunday 26th June to Friday 1st July

During this course you will acquire the skills of tile making in a professional and efficient way, end up with a square meter of finished tile, which can be used as a stunning feature in your home. Included is a day’s excursion. Course fee: £575.00(including accommodation)

MAY….2011

Prehistoric Pottery
Sunday 8th to Friday 13th

Your chance to dig Orkney clay and find out what it is really like. to creating ancient pottery and gather skills of the past. We will also use contemporary clays and some of the clay from our French clay pit to supplement what you dig locally. We will also fire some of the pottery in wood fired kiln out doors, taste Neolithic cuisine and learn through discussion and immersion. Course fee: £570.00(including accommodation)

APRIL….2011

Making Mosaic and Tessarae
Sunday 17th to Friday 22nd April

This course will examine different ways of making our own tessarae. We will create glazed colours, textured surfaces and raw clay finishes. We shall also use found items to create mosaic with. Plus we shall embark on an excursion on the Wednesday. Course fee: £570.00 (including accommodation)

Basket Making
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th
Tutor: Dr. Timothy Palmer

This is a very popular course. It is for beginners and those who are progressing. Natural willow and other materials from nature or found, will be used. This will take place either at The Harray Hall, or The Dounby Centre. Course fee: £100.00(not including accommodation)

MARCH….2011

Advanced Throwing
Monday 14th to Friday 18th

Throwing on the wheel with expert tuition and guidance. Only one place left. Course fee: £525.00 (including accommodation) A further day to glaze and finish your pieces can be arranged. Cost, £40.00. There may be a materials cost for larger items.

Throwing for The Aspiring
Monday 7th to Friday 11th

A simple and structured practical introduction to throwing pots with confidence. Course fee: £525.00 (including accommodation) A further day to glaze and finish your pieces can be arranged. Cost, £40.00. There may be a materials cost for larger items.

Prehistoric Pottery
Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th

A way to experience what our Orcadian forebears knew about ceramics. A practical class in making the ancient stuff! Course fee: £85.00(not including accommodation)

FEBRUARY….2011

Creating Clay Surfaces
Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th

Using clay pots, slabs and boulder shapes, we will reform and sculpt surface decoration. This would be an excellent development from the Sculpted Mask Course.
Course fee: £85.00(not including accommodation) A further day to glaze and finish your pieces can be arranged. Cost, £40.00. There may be a materials cost for larger items.

Making Sculpted Ceramic Masks
Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th

From live models we will create human masks, sculpted and embellished. We will use examples from archaeological discoveries, anthropological and ethnic sources to derive our initial inspirations. From there, we will develop independent artworks. Course fee: £85.00(not including accommodation)
A further day to glaze and finish your pieces can be arranged. Cost, £40.00. There may be a materials cost for larger items.

JANUARY….2011

Creating Ceramic Beads & Amulets
Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th

This course will look at ways of making ceramic jewellery. There will be a chance to use some 18th dynasty Egyptian bead moulds, from this we can gather inspiration and look at other ancient methods to create beautiful effects, to inform your contemporary design.
Course fee: £85.00 (not including accommodation) A further day to glaze and finish the beads can be arranged. Here you will learn about colour, kiln packing, firing and have a chance to further your accrued skills. Cost, including firing and finished work, £40.00
Orkney Information
Just off the northern coast of mainland Scotland lies the tranquil, yet energizing isles of Orkney. Its exquisite beauty encompasses dramatic panoramas, sea-scapes and wild, unspoiled places. The light this far north is totally unique inspiring artists, photographers, musicians and crafts people for millennia. You will also be surrounded by the worlds finest collection of Neolithic archaeology, as well as sites from throughout the ages. Mixing this with our gentle pace of life and warm, welcoming people makes Orkney a truly special place to be.
Bill Please!
 Here's some details of the cost. Our one week courses start at £525 per student. This includes accommodation, continental breakfast, lunch, refreshments and enough materials to start you off. If you require a private room then there will be a supplement of £100. We welcome your partner on a Bed and Breakfast only basis at £25 per night. Should you wish to source alternative accommodation, to house your whole family for instance, then we will discount the course fee.

Further Information.
Although island based, we are surprisingly easy to reach. You can drive it, train it or bus it, then catch the boat from 3 different ports. Or simply fly. We can advise you on all the options so don't worry. Whilst lovely accommodation is provided, should you wish to bring your family or make alternative arrangements, we are happy to help. So, for a full information pack and booking form, download this Word.Doc , or just an initial chat please get in touch, and ask for Andrew. You can phone us on 0044 (0)1856 771419. Or write to Fursbreck Pottery, Harray, Orkney, KW17 2JR, UK. And you can always send us a message from this web site. 		The pottery and accommodation are housed in the old parish school. Andrew Appleby is a master of his craft and founded the pottery over 33 years ago. Not only is Andrew one of the few remaining high production throwers, he also has a unique understanding and appreciation of historic and prehistoric pottery techniques; having also worked as an archaeologist. He has been developing the understanding of clay and its uses through experimental research programs for many years. Assisted by his wife Sigrid, Andrew is now willing to share the depth of his understanding with amateurs and experienced potters alike, through a dedicated season of practical courses. He is also keen to offer the insights of other artists and crafts people to you through residential learning in other media. You will be amazed at the amount of intuitive understanding you will gain and the breadth of creativity you will be immersed in. Numbers for the courses have been limited to just a handful to ensure high levels of teacher-student time and to facilitate mutual learning. The house joined to the pottery provides stylish yet cosy accommodation with spectacular views across open country, loch and hills.