Multi-Week Classes
Our classes meet once a week for 2.5 hours each week. Jan+Feb classes are in session. March classes will be posted online on Monday, February 9th at noon
What Makes Us Different?
We provide 25 pounds of clay for students. Students may use any of 5 clay types. Instructors will also make recommendations based on skill set. Classes include clay and use of tools and aprons.
We offer open studio hours to encourage students to practice and excel. Students may come in to practice 5 days per week (different days depending on your class day.)
Most classes run 8 weeks long instead of the standard 6 weeks. We want students to have the opportunity to have their pieces fired multiple times, to encourage learning, experimenting, and technique improvement.
Learn about our instructors here.
Intro to Throwing and Glazing
Wheel throwing classes teach the basics of making pieces on the potter’s wheel. Beginning students learn to prepare the clay, center, throw, and trim. After the pieces are fired, all students are taught how to glaze their pieces. Our instructors teach through group demonstrations, discussions about example pieces, and one-on-one questions and feedback. We are here to help and want you to excel. We encourage all students to come practice on days outside of their class.
March + April
Mondays 6:30pm for 8 weeks for $425 taught by Cathy: March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20.
Tuesdays 6:30pm for 8 weeks for $425 taught by Jerry: March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21.
Introduction to Handbuilding: Slab Construction
Handbuilding is a technique to make pottery without use the wheel. This class will explore several major techniques to give you a solid foundation in working with clay.
Slab construction is a hand-building technique where clay is rolled or pressed into flat, even sheets that can be cut, shaped, and assembled to create both functional and sculptural ceramic pieces.
First, we’ll learn to roll slabs using our slab roller machine as well as using a rolling pin with guide sticks. Then we’ll work through using templates to design pieces, so we can cut and join them together. Students will learn to score and slip surfaces, create clean seams, and reinforce joints to ensure structural integrity. This method is accessible to beginners while offering endless creative possibilities for more advanced makers. We’ll move on to larger shapes and boxes as the class progresses. The instructor will work with students individually on their design aspirations for a larger piece and help implement their vision.
Finally, you’ll learn the glazing process and will take home multiple finished pieces over 8 weeks.
Wednesdays at 6:30pm with Jerry for 8 weeks: March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, & 22 for $425.
Next Step Wheel: Multiples!
In this class you will begin by exploring a variety of forms; whether a bowl, cup, plate or another piece of your choice. This focused exploration will allow you to narrow down you protoytpes to one piece you’re most interested in.
Next we’ll focus on refining your skills to throw multiple of the same piece, creating a cohesive set of 4 to 8. (Ambitious students are welcome to throw multiple sets!)
With multiples, leaning into the details is key. Perfecting rims, feet, handles, and other sepcific areas are all a means to transforming your pieces into a cohesive and polished body of work. Prototypes from earlier weeks will serve as glaze test and texture experiements, guiding us towards refinement. Now that you’re a potter and all your friends constantly ask for dishware, this is the perfect class to hone your craft!
This is a Next Step class focused on new forms and shapes.
Thursdays at 6:30pm with Daniel for 8 weeks: March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23.
Design Focus: Drive Design and Curate Your Style
Imagine looking at a piece from across the room, and knowing on instinct that it’s yours. Or imagine your friend picking up a piece in the studio and calling you over, knowing you made it because it feels like you.
This class will develop your ceramics practice by focusing on style and cohesion. After working through beginner classes, many students struggle to push their work to exhibit design and detail that embodies their own ethos. This class will draw out your creativity and develop your sense of design.
We’ll focus on ways to create cohesion without making multiples of the same piece. For example, designing rims, edges, planning gold luster, glaze colors and textures, balancing glazed and unglazed areas, proportions, and foot rings. An advanced potter can make dissimilar pieces like a teapot and a spoon rest into a cohesive set.
This class will teach design, playfulness, and curiosity of new constraints. Ashley will work with each student as they sketch and plan their pieces, and help with throwing and handbuilding skills to achieve it. The class will have an organic quality, guided by student curiosity. Bring your inspiration! Each class will begin with a design lecture and discussion. Afterwards, Ashley will work with students individually on their progress. This class will include a multitude of “tips and tricks” for throwing and working with clay, but not include throwing demonstrations. Class includes 25lbs of clay.
In addition to Ashley’s background in sculpture, design, and interiors she is well versed in construction and bringing ideas into reality. She has lectured and critiqued at design studios at UC Berkeley, CCA, and Washington State University.
Students should have taken two full beginners sessions and feel confident to make a variety of shapes and forms. Handbuilders and Wheel Throwers are equally encouraged.
Tuesdays at 6:30pm with Ashley for 7 weeks in March/April for $400.
March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, (skip April 7,) April 14, 21.
When you reach a page that says “order pending” or a receipt you have successfully secured a spot.
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