If you need a chill afternoon away from the usual cafés, try this fun activity nestled in the middle of nature.
It all started when I sat down to read Straits Times Life! weekend on places to learn pottery.
I’ve always always wanted to create a bowl using the Potter’s Wheel, the serenity of watching the clay rotate round and round, its shape gradually forming into a bowl using just my hands to mould it.
After looking at the entire list painstakingly put together by the reporter, I decided to sign up for a 2 hour hand building and potter’s wheel class with Thow Kwang Pottery, which also has Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Part of the Kranji Heritage Trail, Thow Kwang Pottery has one of the last surviving dragon kilns in Singapore.
The class was full of people, from young children a few years old to 50+ year old participants.
There were one instructor and two helpers who deftly managed at least 40 participants.
The instructor demonstrated the steps to create our own hand built clay cup before letting us loose with our own clay strip and circular base.
Halfway through creating our hand built cups, participants who signed up for the extra potter’s wheel option got to watch a throwing demo by the instructor, and co-create our own cup or bowl with him.
Guess which one is mine?
We continued with our hand building activities thereafter, with the promise to have a chance at throwing clay at the potter’s wheel if we finished early.
Thow Kwang Pottery also has a large area where you can browse various clay, ceramic and porcelain pieces to purchase.
You can also buy ice cream and cold drinks.
Parking is free and you can also visit the nearby Jurong Eco-Garden, which is just outside the pottery grounds.
I think the pottery classes are suitable for anyone above 4 years old. There are a lot of fragile vases near the class area, so ensure your kids can sit still and behave themselves without running around unnecessarily.
It was a meaningful afternoon learning a new craft. Thow Kwang Pottery also has other classes for people who are interested in learning throwing techniques using the potter’s wheel, which can take months and even years to perfect.
Even if you don’t have the time for a class, you can drop by to see the dragon kiln, purchase gifts and even stock up on essential everyday items.
Info:
Thow Kwang Industry Pte Ltd ( Also known as Pottery Jungle)
85 Lorong Tawas Singapore 639823
For visits/ tours / workshops related enquiries:
(t) 62655808
(e) [email protected]
Operating Hours: 9am – 5pm daily
Open on Public Holiday except for Chinese New Year
