Six-Week Classes

All Six-Week Classes Include:

  • 6 weekly sessions, 2.5 hours per session
  • Instructor demo + studio time.
  • Materials and Tools
  • Additional Open Studio Hours

See class outlines below. All classes subject to our cancellation policy.

Upcoming Classes

Beginner Pottery Wheel

Level: Beginners, New to Clay, Work with ~1 lb of clay

This class is perfect for those that are ready to experience the entire ceramic process for the first time, or a beginner that just needs a refresher. In this class, we will cover basic studio safety, how to wedge clay and weigh out clay for different types of vessels, and practice throwing various types of basic shapes such as bowels and cups.

Class Schedule

  • Week 1: Centering and Pulling: In this first week we will learn how to wedge clay and the basic steps of throwing: centering, opening, establishing the floor and pulling.
  • Week 2: Bowls and Curves: Bowls are both functional and beautiful. Shaping the clay to create volume and a beautiful curve are essential to a well made bowl.
  • Week 3: Cylinders:  Pulling a cylinder with even walls is essential for taller forms such as cups and tumblers. We will go over collaring and expanding the walls of the cylinder.
  • Week 4: Trimming: It’s time to trim! We will trim our leather hard pieces to clean up and finalize the shape and create a nice clean foot on your work. Remember to put your name on your piece as it goes into bisque firing.
  • Week 5: Glazing: Glazing is where the magic happens. We will learn different glazing methods such as dipping, pouring, and brushing and learn about basic glaze layering. All pieces must be finished this week to go into final bisque firing.
  • Week 6: Wrap-Up: Take this week to finish up glazing, critique and review our work and figure out the next steps for taking it to the next level.

Intermediate Wheel

Level: Comfortable with 1-2 lbs of clay. Work with 2-4 lbs of clay

In this follow up class, we will work with more clay and create more advanced forms. Students should be comfortable with the basic ceramic process and ready to work with larger forms. In this class we will work bigger and taller, and add handles and lids to our pieces.

Class Schedule

  • Week 1: More Better: We will refamiliarize ourselves with working on the wheel and practice larger forms with consistency.
  • Week 2: Throwing wide: Center the clay low and wide and make forms such as plates and saucers.
  • Week 3: Lids: Add additional flare and function to your pieces by creating lids and attaching small lug handles.
  • Week 4: Handles: We will learn how to pull handles from a slug of clay to attach to mugs, as well as explore different ways of creating handles. Play around creating pieces with both lids and handles! Finished greenware can go into bisque to glaze for next week.
  • Week 5: Trimming  Finalize the look and feel of your piece by trimming it to fit the style of your pieces. Last chance to put pieces into bisque for glazing next week.
  • Week 6: Final Glaze: Final Glaze & Finish Up. Pieces that are not glazed by the last week of class will not be fired.

Advanced Wheel

Level: Comfortable with 1-4 lbs of clay. Work with 5+ lbs of clay

We will work on throwing bigger and aim to be able to throw with 5+lbs of clay consistently and pull up a cylinder 12″ tall.

Class Schedule

  • Week 1: Taller Pieces: Focus on techniques to throw taller pieces consistentl.
  • Week 2: Wider Pieces: Center the clay low and wide and make forms such as plates and saucers.
  • Week 3: Throw for Stacking: Throw in multiple sections and prepare them for joining together to make a bigger piece.
  • Week 4: Joining Stacked Pieces: Join your sections and smooth out the transition, trim away excess clay and finalize the shape of your piece.
  • Week 5: Trimming & Glazing  Trim and finish up pieces. Glaze pieces that are out of bisque.
  • Week 6: Final Glaze: Final Glaze & Finish Up. Pieces that are not glazed by the last week of class will not be fired.

All-Levels Handbuilding

Level: All Levels

Learn the the traditional techniques for creating functional ceramics without the use of a pottery wheel.  Learn how to pinch, coil, and slab build projects such as bowls, mugs & cups, plates & dishes and more. Explore surface decoration and texture using a variety of techniques.

Class Schedule

  • Week 1: Pinch & Coil: Pinch and coil pots are the start of all pottery. Learn how to create functional and decorative forms with just your hands. Coils can be used to create organic and intricate pieces with amazing textures.
  • Week 2: Slabs: Use slabs at the leather hard stage to construct geometric and architectural forms.
  • Week 3: Molds: Slump and drape? Use molds to support and shape your clay into interesting and unique shapes.
  • Week 4: Surface Decoration: Explore surface decoration with sgraffito and mishima techniques.
  • Week 5: Finishing & Glazing: Finish decorating your pieces and get them ready for glazing.
  • Week 6: Final Glaze: Final Glaze & Finish Up. Pieces that are not glazed by the last week of class will not be fired.