Ceramic Tile Making Course

Posted November 17th 2023

A photo of four hexagonal ceramic tiles with a colourful, abstract pattern.

Friday 26th January – Friday 16th February 2024 | 18:30-20:30* | Glasgow Ceramic Studio, 77 Hanson Street, Glasgow, G31 2HF

Love tiles? Fancy the chance to create your own?

Tiles are a unique element of Glasgow’s built heritage which have adorned our closes and homes for centuries.

Glasgow City Heritage Trust have teamed up with Glasgow Ceramic Studio and artist Alison Gray to deliver a practical course to to create your very own set of handmade tiles! The course will take place on a Friday evening for 4 weeks.

Join us for a chance to learn more about ceramic tiles as you experiment with colour, shape and surface treatment.

The cost of the 4 evening sessions is £150 per person. Price includes clay, glaze, plaster and two kiln firings. Space is limited to 10 places, booking essential.

We encourage you to bring along your own designs and materials for inspiration, or alternatively just have fun and experiment as you go!

Alison Gray, Glasgow Ceramic Studio, is a ceramic artist who has been working with clay for over twenty years. She has a long interest in tiles used in homes and Victorian buildings and has created tiles for kitchens and school wall plaques.

Breakdown of each week:

Week 1: Friday 26th January, 18:30- 20:30 – Introduction and Learning
In this first session you will be introduced to Glasgow Ceramic Studio and start to get familiar with handling clay. We will take a look at some examples of how tiles have been used throughout history, with particular reference to Glasgow’s rich tile heritage. Then it’s time to experiment with a variety of different making techniques for cutting, creating images, surfaces and textures, to create your master tile ready for replication.

Week 2: Friday 2nd February, 18:30- 21:30* – Plaster Mould Making
This session will focus on creating a plaster mould of your tile design so that in week 3 we can produce multiple replicas ready for glazing and firing. Alison will guide you through the process of creating a frame and mixing the plaster prior to creating your very own tile mould.

*Please note the duration of this session will be up to 3 hours

Week 3: Friday 9th February, 18:30- 20:30 – Tile Reproduction
With plaster moulds created, it is now time to set the production line in motion to create your set of identical tiles. These will then be bisque fired ready for adding a colour in week 4.

Week 4: Friday 16th February, 18:30-20:30 – Decoration & Finishing
After a run through of some basic decorating techniques, now is the time to bring your tiles to life by adding some colour. Once the tiles are decorated Alison will then glaze fire your pieces ready for collection at a later date.

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Each year, our events help over 2000 people to understand and appreciate Glasgow's irreplaceable built heritage. Can you help us to reach more people?

We are hugely grateful for the support of our Friends whose subscriptions help cover the costs of these events, thereby ensuring accessible pricing for everyone in Glasgow in these challenging times.

The easiest way to support the Trust’s work is to join our Friends scheme. Our tiered loyalty scheme means you can choose the level that’s right for you.

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Explore the City Chambers with our new digital tour!

Posted October 24th 2023

The City Chambers is one of the most prestigious buildings in Glasgow. It’s a place where famous visitors are welcomed, and where big events such as civic receptions and award ceremonies are held. However, many Glaswegians have never been inside, or are unaware that free public tours take place every day. Our new online learning resource, ‘Our City Chambers’, aimed mainly at primary school aged children, enables them to explore the building in a way that is accessible, engaging and fun, even if they aren’t able to visit in person. Explore the resource here

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Workshop: Weaving Festive Willow Stars

Posted October 19th 2023

Wednesday 6th December 2023 | 6:30-8:30pm | GCHT, 54 Bell Street, G1 1LQ

Join Max Johnson from Seileach Basketry for weaving and mince pies at this cosy festive event! Max is a longtime forager, foodie and crafter, who lovingly weaves baskets & decorations using materials foraged in a range of landscapes, from idyllic rural riversides to derelict post-industrial sites.

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Sold Out CPD: Showcasing Stone Carving

Posted September 28th 2023

An ornately carved stone cross that sits on the top of Miller Hall, a Category A listed church in Dennistoun.

Monday 9th October | 10am – 12 noon | On site at Conservation Masonry, 942-944 South Street, Whiteinch, Glasgow, G14 0AR

This event provides an opportunity to see the craft of stone carving in action, as you’ll see the carving of a new Arts & Crafts influenced stone cross for the apex of the roof at Miller Hall. A Category A-listed historic church in Dennistoun, designed by celebrated architect James Miller, the building was previously known as St Andrew’s East Church and was converted into flats in the early 2000s.

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Spaces are limited to 8 people, booking essential.

£10 per person / £5 for students

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Become a Friend of Glasgow City Heritage Trust

Glasgow City Heritage Trust is an independent charity and your support is crucial to ensure that our charitable work promoting the understanding, appreciation and conservation of Glasgow’s historic buildings for the benefit of the city’s communities and its visitors continues now, and in the future.

The easiest way to support the Trust’s work is to join our loyalty scheme. Our tiered loyalty scheme means you can choose the level that’s right for you.

Click to find out all the benefits of membership

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Posted August 9th 2023

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Posted August 9th 2023

21-08-02-Bell-of-the-Brae-southern-tenement-600x800

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Join GCHT Director Niall Murphy to find out about the achievements of the Glasgow City Improvement Trust, as part of the Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival 2023.

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Posted June 2nd 2023

A black and white line drawing of Glasgow. McCulloch's 'View'

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Eleven years before Thomas Sulman’s famous bird’s-eye view of Glasgow appeared in the Illustrated London News, a young local artist named George McCulloch produced his own. It gives a vivid glimpse of the industrial city that had sprung up over the past two generations, smeared with smoke and crowded with activity. David Pritchard will describe what he’s been able to find out about the creation of McCulloch’s View, take you on a tour of some of his favourite details and the human stories they hint at, and think a little about the View in relation to other images of Glasgow, from Thomas Sulman to Will Knight.

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Ticket

Clear

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Posted April 28th 2023

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All GCHT CPD sessions are recognised by the IHBC, and attendees can obtain a CPD certificate upon completion.

£10 per person / £5 for students

Ticket

Clear

All sessions are recognised by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) as being capable of contributing to the obligatory CPD requirements of Full Members (see www.ihbc.org.uk)

Become a Friend of Glasgow City Heritage Trust

The easiest way to support the Trust’s work is to join our loyalty scheme. Our tiered loyalty scheme means you can choose the level that’s right for you.

Click to find out all the benefits of membership

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Posted April 28th 2023

Wednesday 10th May | 6:30pm – 7:30pm | The Blythswood Room, The Mitchell Library

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We will be keeping the exhibition open until 6pm on the night so you can visit the exhibition at the New Glasgow Society on Argyle Street before attending the talk.

Ticket

Clear

Free, booking essential, donations welcome.

Please note: Payment is taken via PayPal but you do not need to have a PayPal account to pay online.

Craft and Traditional Skills Careers

Posted March 22nd 2023

Photo of someone chiseling a piece of stone, wearing orange and yellow gloves, with traditional stone caring tools in the background.

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Click here to download more information