WEDGE Ceramic Workshop

WEDGE Ceramic Workshop is an open access ceramics studio in Derby, made by makers for makers. It was founded by Abbie Sunter, a ceramic sculptor with an MA from the University of Derby, and James Pettinger, a wheel throwing and glaze chemistry specialist with college teaching experience. As well as running classes and workshops for beginners through to more advanced makers, WEDGE offers three membership levels for those already familiar with clay who simply need regular access to wheels, kilns and a place to work. The studio covers wheel throwing, hand-building, glazing, raku firing and sculpture, based at Unit 26, Perkin Yard, Mansfield Road in Derby.

WEDGE runs a Saturday Throwing Taster (2 hours, £40) as an introduction to wheel throwing, and a 4-Week Beginners Throwing course (2 hours per session, £160) for a more structured start. Evening and weekend pottery classes cover both hand-building and wheel throwing, alongside special seasonal workshops including raku firing. Private lessons and sculpture sessions are available, and the studio accommodates group bookings for parties and corporate events. For those who already have clay experience, WEDGE's three membership tiers give ongoing access to the open studio, wheels and kilns rather than fixed-length courses.

Classes run on evenings and weekends, including the Saturday Throwing Taster and the 4-Week Beginners Throwing course. Open studio access is available to members for independent practice, and seasonal workshops such as raku firing are scheduled periodically through the year. Contact the studio directly or check the website for current class dates and open studio hours.

The studio is fully equipped for wheel throwing, hand-building, glazing, raku firing and sculpture, with kiln access and equipment rental available for members and course participants. Clay is sold directly from the studio, and members can also access WEDGE's pre-formulated in-house glazes. The workshop has parking available and is wheelchair accessible.

A Saturday Throwing Taster session costs £40 for 2 hours, and the 4-Week Beginners Throwing course costs £160. Membership is available on three tiers: Casual at £60 per month (10 hours of booked studio time and a 5% materials discount), Hobby at £120 per month (20 hours of studio time, dedicated storage space, a 10% materials discount and 5% off classes), and Maker at £180 per month (30 hours of studio access, priority kiln access, dedicated shelf space and a locker, complimentary access to all studio glazes, a 10% materials discount, 5% off all classes and early access to specialist workshops such as raku). Small firing batches are included in membership costs, with additional fees for larger collections.

WEDGE suits complete beginners wanting a taster session or structured course in wheel throwing or hand-building, as well as more advanced makers looking for raku firing, sculpture work or private lessons. The membership tiers are aimed at those who already have some clay experience and want regular, flexible access to wheels, kilns and studio space to develop their own practice. Group bookings for parties and corporate events are also accommodated.