Ceramic Sculpture Classes
Our ceramic and pottery classes range from beginner to advanced.
We are passionate about sculpting and helping our students learn the art of clay. We strive to create a friendly and supportive environment for our students to explore their creativity.
Why I Love Teaching
One of my greatest pleasures is to see the joy in someone’s eyes as they surprise themselves with their newly finished pieces, their new abilities and their new accomplishments.
This is my passion and this is why I love teaching.
Course Program
We do pottery, hand building and sculpting depends on what you would like to create.
Choose a class or workshop that will inspire you to express your inner creativity.
Learn the Art of Design, Modelling, Sculpting, Glazing and Firing .
My classes in ceramic sculpture all take place in my home studio in Pinelands.
I have a lovely group of students who are very friendly and contribute to an extremely pleasant atmosphere in the studio.
My personalised teaching method is derived partly from 12 years of experience in ceramic sculpture, 3 years of which were spent working for two great masters of ceramic art in Iran, and partly from my studies in art and art therapy.
My goal is to help to show you a part of yourself that you may not yet know: those talents that are hidden or that you haven’t yet discovered.
Pottery classes organised by the month
In these sculpture classes we work on artistic forms, shapes and different methods of sculpting with clay.
You will learn to make decisions, to be brave, to face your fears, not to give up and to shatter the mistaken belief that you are not up to the task at hand.
My classes have a maximum of 8 students, so they are like private classes where I will be helping you full time. I’ll be giving you practical help, showing you sculpting techniques and helping you with those things that will make your learning process easier and your growth faster.
Classes are currently available on the following days at the following times.
Wednesday 17h00-20h00
Thursday 09h30-12h30
Friday 09h30-12h30
Packages
The following 2 packages are available, each running over one calendar month.
Fees for the month will depend on the number of session days in the month:
WEEKLY PACKAGE (R550 per session)
- Months with 4 sessions: R2,200
- Months with 5 sessions: R2,750
TWICE WEEKLY PACKAGE (R500 per session)
- Months with 8 sessions: R4,000
- Months with 9 sessions: R4,500
Fees
Fees should be paid before or at the first session of each month.
The following are included in the basic fee:
- Personalised tuition and assistance.
- Use of a turntable and all the necessary equipment.
Excluded from the basic fee are the following:
- Fenix fine Clay 10kg R200
- Glaze
- Bisque firing
- Glaze firing
Lorrimer Esselaar
A few friends and I recently did a beginners' sculpting course with Ali. None of us had touched a piece of clay before and the idea was that it would be strictly for fun. It never occurred to me that my 'sculpture' wouldn't end up in the bin afterwards. Well, was I in for a surprise? Ali turned out to be not only a strikingly talented artist, but one of those rare people who is able to inspire his students to achievements they never dreamt possible with judicious guidance, assistance and instruction. The atmosphere created by Ali in his studio is one not only of serious industry, but also of relaxed conviviality and camaraderie. What lovely people and what a delight. To my great surprise, my copy of the statue of Anubis in Tutankamon's tomb turned into something which now lives on my study bookshelf and not in the bin. Sadly I can't take full credit for it, because without Ali's patient and guiding hand it would never have been anything like it is. He is an excellent teacher, immediately spotting one's mistakes and difficulties and helping one to fix them with an eye for form and three dimensionality that is quite astounding. Whether you're beginner or expert, you'll learn a lot from this lovely guy and find a happy spot in this studio.
Petro Keene
My time spent in the Ceramic Sculpture Art Studio is one that I look forward to every week. Ali is a wonderful tutor and the sculptural creations under his guidance are amazing. I have found the experience in his studio to be very enjoyable and am absolutely delighted to have found such a special place to explore creativity.
William Rawson
Ok. So. This class has been legitimately life changing for me.
I walked into a studio of amazingly talented sculptors and my first thought was “Wow, they are totally out of my league”. What I didn’t realise was the impact that a good teacher can make on your ability to produce and progress. I went from ashtrays to angels in the the space of a few short months.
If you’re more keen on sculpting than pottery, if you’d like to make statues rather than plates; If you enjoy a glass of wine after work with a room full of wonderful people, or a morning coffee with your clay; I couldn’t recommend this class or this teacher more highly. I’m now coming to three classes a week and loving every minute of it.
Kenny Tennant
I need to share my amazing experience attending Ali's Ceramic Sculpting classes.
I’m pleased to have been part of a group of students sharing childish banter and laughing at jokes while spending hours, days, weeks and even months working on our pieces. Not only were we learning about the art of ceramic sculpture under Ali’s amazing Ceramic Master's tutorship but we were also learning about supporting each other in trying times and that making mistakes is ok.
Clay is forgiving but fragile.
Patience is woven into frustration and exciting anticipation of seeing a piece develop from a ball of clay to eventually coming out of the kiln and turning into a masterpiece albeit only to oneself.
The sense of achievement combined with the encouragement from my peers and to Quote Ali "BE BRAVE" as he pushed me to become one with my creative side. These classes became the highlight of my weeks and months attending Ali’s classes. Since November 2020, from a total novice who at the age of 66, having never touched a piece of clay in my life I'm very proud of my achievements under Ali's critical eye and his patience of Job.
Thanks Ali and all my fellow students.