Oct/Nov Beg Handbuilding - Sat Mornings

Service Description

Learn the fundamentals of hand-building with clay in this approachable six-week course at Throw Art Studio in Ann Arbor. Designed with beginners in mind, this class introduces the core techniques used to build pottery without a wheel, including coil-building, slab-building, wedging, surface preparation, and glazing. Throughout the course, students will work through two guided projects: a larger coil-built vessel and a functional form constructed from slabs. These projects are designed to give you experience building both sculptural and functional work while developing an understanding of structure, proportion, joining clay, and working through the different stages of the ceramic process. No previous pottery experience is required. Students with some prior hand-building experience are also welcome to join. More experienced students can use the guided projects as a starting point while exploring more complex forms, design choices, and construction techniques at their own skill level. Demonstrations will include coil-building, use of the clay extruder, slab rolling, slab construction, wedging, and glazing. Demonstrations can also be repeated as needed, so students should feel comfortable asking for additional guidance throughout the course. Because ceramic work requires time for drying and firing between stages, students will work toward project deadlines throughout the six weeks. Open studio hours are available for students who would like additional time to complete projects, practice techniques, or experiment independently. By the end of the course, students will have experience taking hand-built ceramic pieces from raw clay through construction, drying, glazing, and final firing, along with a strong foundation for continuing to explore hand-building on their own.