The Melville Mud Room
Providing a safe creative space to find your way with clay
Nestled on the top of the koppies in the bohemian suburb of Melville, you will find the Melville Mudroom pottery studio, run by sisters Kate Shand and Nina Shand. The studio provides a safe creative space to find your way with clay. Kate is an art therapist (HPCSA registered) and Nina has nearly three decades of experience as a full-time working potter. Together, we offer a lovely balance of playful exploration and mastery of ceramic skills for adults and teens.
We are a hand building teaching studio working with red terracotta and white earthenware clay, coloured slips and a small range of glazes. We love alternative firings and try to include one each term, such as smoke, sawdust, raku and more. We offer regular classes, group events and family creative time, workshops and one-on-one clay sessions.
Clay provides infinite possibilities to explore, create, play, heal and to gently let go of preconceptions of ourselves and limiting self-attitudes.
We are a hand building teaching studio working with red terracotta and white earthenware clay, coloured slips and a small range of glazes. We love alternative firings and try to include one each term, such as smoke, sawdust, raku and more. We offer regular classes, group events and family creative time, workshops and one-on-one clay sessions.
Clay provides infinite possibilities to explore, create, play, heal and to gently let go of preconceptions of ourselves and limiting self-attitudes.
About
Melville Mudroom is owned and managed by sisters Kate and Nina Shand – both have a long journey with clay. Nina ran a successful wood-firing pottery studio in McGregor for the past 25 years, and Kate started finding her way with clay a decade ago. Clay has been a lifeline to both sisters during difficult times.
Nina not only has 25 years’ experience making functional and sculptural ceramics, she is also a researcher with a Master’s in industrial sociology. She has facilitated numerous pottery and firing workshops at her previous ceramic studio, Millstone Pottery, and has exhibited locally and overseas. She makes hand-built, slabbed forms, often from one slab of clay, which are cut with various darts/pleats, resembling dress making patterns.
Kate is an art therapist with an MA Art Therapy from the University of Johannesburg. She has facilitated many arts-based workshops over the years. She is passionate about working with clay and its ability to heal. Other qualifications include a Masters in Heritage (Wits), Advanced Diploma Visual Art (Unisa), and Community Art Counsellor (Lefika la Phodiso).
Nina not only has 25 years’ experience making functional and sculptural ceramics, she is also a researcher with a Master’s in industrial sociology. She has facilitated numerous pottery and firing workshops at her previous ceramic studio, Millstone Pottery, and has exhibited locally and overseas. She makes hand-built, slabbed forms, often from one slab of clay, which are cut with various darts/pleats, resembling dress making patterns.
Kate is an art therapist with an MA Art Therapy from the University of Johannesburg. She has facilitated many arts-based workshops over the years. She is passionate about working with clay and its ability to heal. Other qualifications include a Masters in Heritage (Wits), Advanced Diploma Visual Art (Unisa), and Community Art Counsellor (Lefika la Phodiso).
What we offer
- Creative grief support sessions – These can take place in person or online.
- Clay sessions – I have a love for clay and its healing benefits, and offer individual healing clay sessions.
- Occasional workshops - I offer workshops in doll making and clay experiences.
Weekly classes
Drop-in classes
Groups
Workshops
Art therapy
First Fridays
Use the contact form below for more detailsDrop-in classes
Groups
Workshops
Art therapy
First Fridays
Weekly classes
We are a hand building teaching studio working with red terracotta and white earthenware clay, coloured slips and a small range of glazes. We love alternative firings and try to include one each term, such as smoke, sawdust, raku and more. Beginners are welcome to join at any time and we teach you the basics of hand building over ten or so sessions. More experienced potters are supported to work on their own projects.
The cost is R1600 per month for a weekly class – payable in advance and we request a month’s notice if you decide to leave. The monthly fee includes all materials and firings (within reason).
Payment of one month’s fees will secure your place.
Missed classes can be made up by arrangement within two months. Classes are not charged on a pro-rata basis and missed classes cannot be offset against fees. If there is a fifth week in a month, we treat this as a bonus class and it can be offset against missed classes.
The cost is R1600 per month for a weekly class – payable in advance and we request a month’s notice if you decide to leave. The monthly fee includes all materials and firings (within reason).
Payment of one month’s fees will secure your place.
Missed classes can be made up by arrangement within two months. Classes are not charged on a pro-rata basis and missed classes cannot be offset against fees. If there is a fifth week in a month, we treat this as a bonus class and it can be offset against missed classes.
Drop-in classes
Space permitting, we welcome people who want to attend a ‘drop-in’ class during one of our regular classes as a once-off activity. The cost is R550 per person.
Groups
We offer fun, once-off clay experiences. Bookings for team building, functions and parties are available for small groups. No clay experience is needed. Sessions are 2.5 hours and cost R650 per person for groups of 6 to 14. Groups of 5 or less will be charged R3 500 for the event. Tea/coffee and biscuits are available. Breakfast /lunch can be provided at an additional cost. Items are glazed and fired for you, ready for collection 3 to 4 weeks later. If you have something specific in mind or an objective for the session we can tailor suitable activities.
Workshops
We facilitate various skills-based and reflective workshops throughout the year. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to find out more.
Art therapy
Kate offers individual art therapy sessions with clay. These sessions are particularly beneficial for people who are significantly bereaved.
First Fridays
Once a month, we host a group pottery session for anyone who is keen to have an experience with clay in a gentle, process-orientated, fun space. We will have a theme, and you will learn something about working with clay and possibly about yourself, but mostly you will have a relaxing and creative evening in a community space at the Melville Mudroom. These events take place on the FIRST FRIDAY of every month from 18h00 to 20h30 and cost R550 per person (this includes glazing and two firings by us). Your finished items can be collected 3 to 4 weeks after the event.
WHY CLAY?
The enjoyment of clay is innate. Join one of our regular weekly classes to find out how working with clay offers a unique combination of creative, cognitive, and emotional benefits.
1. Therapeutic: Calming and meditative, reducing stress and anxiety
2. Creative: Endless possibilities in shaping and molding
3. Tactile: Engaging the sense of touch and promoting connection.
4. Fine motor skills: Improves hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
5. Patience and persistence: Working with clay requires time and effort, teaching valuable lessons in perseverance.
6. Problem-solving skills: Clay's malleable nature allows for experimentation and creative problem-solving.
7. Spatial awareness: Understanding of three-dimensional forms and spatial relationships.
8. Critical thinking: Analysing and refining ideas, promoting critical thinking and evaluation.
9. Confidence: Learning a skill, expression of self and pride in creations.
10. Focus and concentration: Being present and in the moment.
1. Therapeutic: Calming and meditative, reducing stress and anxiety
2. Creative: Endless possibilities in shaping and molding
3. Tactile: Engaging the sense of touch and promoting connection.
4. Fine motor skills: Improves hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
5. Patience and persistence: Working with clay requires time and effort, teaching valuable lessons in perseverance.
6. Problem-solving skills: Clay's malleable nature allows for experimentation and creative problem-solving.
7. Spatial awareness: Understanding of three-dimensional forms and spatial relationships.
8. Critical thinking: Analysing and refining ideas, promoting critical thinking and evaluation.
9. Confidence: Learning a skill, expression of self and pride in creations.
10. Focus and concentration: Being present and in the moment.
Contact
For more information or to book a session please email me using the contact form.
