pottery classes 2025
The Japanese MATCHA Tea Bowl
Handbuilding Your Own Unique Piece
Saturday, September 20, 2025, 1–4 PM (total 3 hours)
CHF 140.-
full (waiting list possible)
︎ Register
NEW: The same course will also be offered on Sunday:
Sunday, September 21, 2025, 1-4 PM (total 3 hours)
7 spots available
︎ Register
According to Japanese philosophy, the shape of a tea bowl already lies dormant within the raw material—waiting to be revealed through sensitive and mindful forming.
This deeply personal and intuitive process is at the heart of this 3-hour course at Atelier KOBO, offered as part of the ‘Rund um Keramik 2025’ event.
This workshop is open to beginners who want to get to know the material of clay, as well as to more advanced participants interested in the subtle art of shaping a traditional Matcha tea bowl.
What to expect:
- Working on a hand-turning wheel, we will shape and carve a classic Matcha tea bowl. Special attention will be given to the underside (the foot), which plays an important role in the aesthetics and balance of the piece.
- A variety of grogged stoneware clays will be available for you to choose from.
- Once your bowl is shaped, you can decorate it freely with colored slips using expressive brushstrokes.
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All tools and materials will be provided.
- After the course, your piece will be dried, fired, and glazed. It will be ready for pickup approximately three weeks later.
BOWLS – Even Bigger Ones!
Intensive Wheel Throwing Course
Saturday, October 4, 2025, 10 AM – 4 PM (incl. lunch break)
Sunday, October 5, 2025, 10 AM – 4 PM (incl. lunch break)
Weekend course over two days, total of 10 hours
CHF 480.–
5 spots available
︎ Register
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Sunday, December 7, 2025
4 spots available
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Have you always wanted to create your own ceramic bowl? Or perhaps challenge yourself to throw a larger one? In this weekend-intensive course, we’ll dive into pottery: kneading, centering, pulling, shaping, trimming—focusing on bowls and their “open form.”
This course welcomes beginners as well as those with wheel-throwing experience. The small group size of 6 participants allows for individual attention and tailored guidance. From small appetizer bowls to large soup bowls—anything is possible!
The finished pieces will be bisque-fired and can then be glazed during an additional evening in the open studio.
One evening session in the open studio (Monday/Tuesday from 6–9 PM) is included in the course fee, along with all materials and firing costs.
VASES and their Variety
Intensive Pottery Wheel Throwing Course
Saturday, November 1st, 2025, 10 AM – 4 PM (incl. lunch break)
Sunday, November 2nd, 2025, 10 AM – 4 PM (incl. lunch break)
Two-day weekend course, total of 10 hours
CHF 480.-
6 spots available
︎ Register
In this course, you’ll get a hands-on introduction to wheel throwing over the course of a weekend. Starting with a simple lump of clay, you’ll learn how to knead, center, and shape it on the wheel—finishing your piece with trimming techniques that give it a refined look.
We’ll explore different vase forms, paying attention to their curves, edges, and proportions, and draw inspiration from their wide variety.
This course is ideal for beginners or for anyone looking to refresh or deepen their existing skills.
All pieces will be bisque-fired and can be glazed afterwards in the open studio.
One evening session in the open studio (Monday or Tuesday, 6–9 PM) is included in the course fee, along with all materials and firing costs.
Fascination of PLATES
Intensive Pottery Wheel Throwing Course
Saturday, November 22, 2025, 10 AM – 4 PM (incl. lunch break)
Sunday, November 23, 2025, 10 AM – 4 PM (incl. lunch break)
Two-day weekend course, total of 10 hours
CHF 480.-
4 spots available
︎ Register
In this course, you’ll create your very own set of handmade plates.
On the pottery wheel, you’ll learn how to pull the clay outward into flat forms rather than upward—and explore the design possibilities this technique offers.
We’ll center, throw, shape, and trim—and by the end of the weekend, you’ll have made a set of approximately 4 to 8 plates with your own hands!
This course is open to both beginners and those with prior wheel-throwing experience.
All plates will be bisque-fired and can later be glazed during an open studio session.
One evening in the open studio (Monday or Tuesday, 6–9 PM) is included in the course fee, along with all materials and firing costs.
ORGANIC FORMS and Creatures
Intensive Course in Modeling and Handbuilding
Saturday, June 14, 2025, 10 AM – 4 PM (incl. lunch break)
Sunday, June 15, 2025, 10 AM – 4 PM (incl. lunch break)
Two-day weekend course, total of 10 hours
CHF 480.-
Already passed – new dates will be announced soon.
︎ Register
Would you like to let your imagination run wild and be inspired by the material itself?
In this course, you'll explore clay through handbuilding and modeling techniques, guided by creative prompts and shared observations of organic forms and surfaces. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your own unique shape—whether it becomes a sculptural artwork or a functional object such as a vase, lamp base, container, or more.
A variety of stoneware clays will be available for you to experiment with freely.
This course is suitable for beginners as well as those who wish to refresh or deepen their skills.
With a small group of just 6 participants, there is plenty of space for individual ideas and support in bringing them to life.
All created pieces will be bisque-fired and can later be glazed during an additional open studio evening.
One evening session in the open studio (Monday or Tuesday, 6–9 PM) is included in the course fee, along with all materials and both firings.
SUMMER COURSE: 3 Days at the Wheel!
Intensive Wheel Throwing Course
Wednesday to Friday, July 16–18, 2025
Each day from 10 AM – 4 PM (incl. lunch break)
3-day course, total of 15 hours
CHF 690.–
Already passed – new dates will be announced soon.
︎ Register
Would you like to spend three full days immersed in wheel throwing—fully focused on the clay, its movement, and its unique qualities?
This course offers the chance to either learn the basics of wheel throwing from scratch or to deepen your existing skills. Whether you want to work on achieving even wall thickness, explore new forms, or refine your technique, this course is designed to support your individual goals.
Starting with the cylinder as a base, we’ll explore how to throw cups, vases, and bowls, drawing inspiration from examples and shapes. Toward the end of the course, when the clay reaches its leather-hard stage, you'll also have the opportunity to attach handles or add hand-modeled elements.
Each participant will typically create 6–10 pieces during the course.
All works will be bisque-fired and can later be glazed during an open studio session.
One evening in the open studio (Monday or Tuesday, 6–9 PM) is included in the course fee, along with all materials and firing costs.
open studio 2024
The ceramic studio is open for people who already came to a ceramic class at KOBO or bring a lot of experience in working with clay. It is open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6-9pm.
Monday studio
2025
Every Monday from 6th January to 22nd December 2025
(Please see scedule for holidays)
Only by appointment.
Tuesday studio
2025
Every Tuesday from 7th January to 23rd December 2025
(Please see scedule for holidays)
Only by appointment.
Prices:
1 evening: 45.-
10 evenings: 430.-
Whole season (16 evenings): 670.-
+ material costs (will be calculated upon usage)
register
Please write an e-mail to:
atelier.kobo@gmx.ch
With following informations:
name of the course
surname/name
address
phonenumber
Registration Policy for Ceramics Courses:
As a small pottery studio, each registration is important. For this reason, all course bookings are considered binding.
Cancellations are free of charge up to four weeks before the course begins.
For cancellations made between four and two weeks prior to the course, 50% of the course fee will be charged.
For cancellations less than two weeks before the course, the full course fee is due.
If a replacement can be found from the waiting list, any fees already paid will, of course, be refunded.
Terms and conditions for participation in the open studio will be communicated separately at the time of registration.
KOBO SHOP
Opening hours:
Saturdays 1-5pm
Or gladly by appointment
The showroom features handcrafted ceramics made in our own studio. Each piece is a unique creation – designed with great attention to detail.
Whether it’s a team event, a bachelor*ette party, or a creative afternoon with friends – we’re happy to host your personalized event in our studio.
Our spacious atelier can accommodate groups of up to 20 people. You can choose between a handbuilding workshop or a session on the pottery wheel. If desired, we’re happy to arrange apéro options to round off the experience.
Just send us the approximate group size, a few possible dates, and a short description of what you’re looking for. We’ll get back to you with a tailored offer for a personal and inspiring ceramic event.
Price: CHF 60–90 per person for approx. 3 hours
