Jan/Feb Beg Wheel - Thursday Evenings

Service Description

Learn how to turn raw clay into your own finished pottery! This beginner-friendly course is open to ages 16 and up and provides a complete, hands-on introduction to wheel throwing. Over seven weeks, you’ll learn every step of the process from preparing clay and throwing forms to trimming, glazing, and firing. No experience is required. By the end of the course, you’ll have a personal collection of handmade pieces and the skills to continue creating independently. Course Schedule Week 1: Wheel introduction, getting familiar with materials and studio setup Week 2: Continued practice, throwing basic shapes such as bowls and cups Week 3: Trimming, handles, and finishing work. Submit your first round of items for bisque firing by the end of class Week 4: Open studio and continued throwing practice Week 5: Surface texture demo. Submit your final round of items for bisque firing by the end of class Week 6: Glaze your first round of bisque-fired pieces Week 7: Final class! Pick up your first glazed pieces and glaze your final batch Week 8: No Class, but this is the final deadline to submit pieces for glaze firing. After ~2 weeks, your final batch of pieces will be ready for pickup! We will email you when they are ready. Each week builds on the previous one as you learn to: Center clay and form bowls, cups, and cylinders Trim and refine pieces in the leather-hard stage Attach handles and shape surfaces for a clean finish Understand how the firing process transforms your work Glaze your pottery using food-safe studio glazes Students work with studio stoneware clay. Each participant may create up to 15 pounds of finished work during the course. Studio Access and Make-Ups You’ll have access to open studio time each week to practice, explore, or make up missed work. If you miss a class, flexible make-up sessions with instructor guidance are available so you can stay caught up. What’s Included Seven weeks of guided instruction All clay, tools, and materials Two rounds of bisque and glaze firings Studio glazes (or bring your own pints with approval) Open studio practice time Make-up instruction if you miss a class Why Learn With Us Our structured and beginner-focused approach makes pottery accessible to everyone. With supportive instruction and open studio access, you’ll gain confidence at the wheel and leave with pieces you’re proud of.