POTTERY WHEEL (Foundations, Level 1, Level 2, Advanced)
4-Week and 6-Week classes available
Foundations in Wheel throwing: 4 weeks. Class length: 2 hours each.
If you have always wanted to try your hand at pottery, but were not ready to commit to a three6-week class, Foundations in Wheel throwing is for you. This class is ONLY for people who are brand new to clay. Highly structured, it will cover the steps for centering and pulling a cylinder in week one, further shaping and enhancement in week two, trimming in week three and glazing in week four.
Wheel Level 1 (Formerly Beginning Wheel Throwing): 6 weeks. Class length: 3 hours each.
Ready to jump in? There is no need to enroll in “Foundations” before taking a beginning wheel class with us. Beginning Wheel Throwing is for people who are brand new to clay AND for people who have completed less than 6-months of pottery classes. Maybe you had a clay class in high school, or maybe you have always wanted to do this, but you did not know where to start? Enroll in Wheel Level 1 and dig into your new favorite hobby.
Wheel Level 2 (Formerly Intermediate/Advanced). 6 weeks. Class length: 3 hours each.
Level 2 pottery classes are for individuals with clay experience.
You feel comfortable centering clay and pulling the walls of a cylinder. You feel comfortable making various objects and they want to further develop skills in the following areas: glazing composition and alternate firing techniques, construction of matching dinnerware pieces, nesting bowls, jars, teapots, and re-recreation of a variety of period pieces. These classes are project focused to build pottery skills and push your creative limits. Each instructor has a unique approach to the teaching process and will guide the course according to their area of expertise.
4-Week and 6-Week classes available
Foundations in Wheel throwing: 4 weeks. Class length: 2 hours each.
If you have always wanted to try your hand at pottery, but were not ready to commit to a three6-week class, Foundations in Wheel throwing is for you. This class is ONLY for people who are brand new to clay. Highly structured, it will cover the steps for centering and pulling a cylinder in week one, further shaping and enhancement in week two, trimming in week three and glazing in week four.
Wheel Level 1 (Formerly Beginning Wheel Throwing): 6 weeks. Class length: 3 hours each.
Ready to jump in? There is no need to enroll in “Foundations” before taking a beginning wheel class with us. Beginning Wheel Throwing is for people who are brand new to clay AND for people who have completed less than 6-months of pottery classes. Maybe you had a clay class in high school, or maybe you have always wanted to do this, but you did not know where to start? Enroll in Wheel Level 1 and dig into your new favorite hobby.
Wheel Level 2 (Formerly Intermediate/Advanced). 6 weeks. Class length: 3 hours each.
Level 2 pottery classes are for individuals with clay experience.
You feel comfortable centering clay and pulling the walls of a cylinder. You feel comfortable making various objects and they want to further develop skills in the following areas: glazing composition and alternate firing techniques, construction of matching dinnerware pieces, nesting bowls, jars, teapots, and re-recreation of a variety of period pieces. These classes are project focused to build pottery skills and push your creative limits. Each instructor has a unique approach to the teaching process and will guide the course according to their area of expertise.
4-Week and 6-Week classes available
Foundations in Wheel throwing: 4 weeks. Class length: 2 hours each.
If you have always wanted to try your hand at pottery, but were not ready to commit to a three6-week class, Foundations in Wheel throwing is for you. This class is ONLY for people who are brand new to clay. Highly structured, it will cover the steps for centering and pulling a cylinder in week one, further shaping and enhancement in week two, trimming in week three and glazing in week four.
Wheel Level 1 (Formerly Beginning Wheel Throwing): 6 weeks. Class length: 3 hours each.
Ready to jump in? There is no need to enroll in “Foundations” before taking a beginning wheel class with us. Beginning Wheel Throwing is for people who are brand new to clay AND for people who have completed less than 6-months of pottery classes. Maybe you had a clay class in high school, or maybe you have always wanted to do this, but you did not know where to start? Enroll in Wheel Level 1 and dig into your new favorite hobby.
Wheel Level 2 (Formerly Intermediate/Advanced). 6 weeks. Class length: 3 hours each.
Level 2 pottery classes are for individuals with clay experience.
You feel comfortable centering clay and pulling the walls of a cylinder. You feel comfortable making various objects and they want to further develop skills in the following areas: glazing composition and alternate firing techniques, construction of matching dinnerware pieces, nesting bowls, jars, teapots, and re-recreation of a variety of period pieces. These classes are project focused to build pottery skills and push your creative limits. Each instructor has a unique approach to the teaching process and will guide the course according to their area of expertise.
“Foundations in wheel throwing” is a wheel class entirely focused on getting brand new students ready for work at the wheel. Maybe you aren’t ready to commit to a 6-week class? No problem! How is it different than our “Beginning Wheel” classes? It’s a little shorter with two-hour classes and four weeks of instruction. It’s for people TOTALLY new to clay.
4-week Foundations in Wheel throwing (Foundations):
FOUNDATIONS IN WHEEL: Who should take this class? If any of the following statements sound like you, then give this a try: “I have always wanted to try the pottery wheel, but I don’t know if I am ready to commit to a 6-week class.” “I like having more structure when I am learning something new.”
Materials needed: Your own apron and towel. We will supply other pottery tools and materials.
Format: 4 classes, 2 hours each
Open studio access = 40+ hours weekly
Class times: weekly
Schedule:
Class 1 = Studio orientation and Introduction to the Wheel. Learn the basic principles of centering, we repeat the skill training of opening, pulling and shaping. Get familiar with everything you need to know about our space, the processes, our community and resources at the Guild. Get ready to spend time practicing what you’ve learned during open studio hours.
Class 2 = Trimming. Your first vessels are ready for refinement before they are fired and glazed. Your clay should be firm but still pliable—sort of the consistency of leather. It will be neither too wet (not sticky) nor two dry (not powdery or dusty). We will trim the excess off of the base, then let them dry completely before putting them in line to be fired in our kilns. You should continue to practice on the wheel and making more vessels from fresh clay.
Class 3 = Glazing. In this class, we will learn how to work with different glazing processes to complete our bowls. Glaze can be dipped or brushed onto your pot. It is not paint, but it is a combination of minerals, colorants and glass-formers that fuse with the clay when fired in our kilns. This is the last class to make new vessels on the wheel.
Class 4 = Finishing projects. Students will trim and glaze remaining work in preparation for the end of the session.
6-week Beginning Wheel Throwing (BWT):
WHEEL Level 1 (formerly BEGINNING WHEEL THROWING): Who should take this class? There is no need to enroll in “Foundations” before taking a beginning wheel class with us. Beginning Wheel Throwing is for people who are brand new to clay or for people who have completed less than 6-months of pottery classes. Maybe you had a clay class in high school, or maybe you have always wanted to do this, but you did not know where to start?
Materials needed:
Your own apron and towel.
You might wish to purchase some of your own pottery tools, but community tools will be available for your use.
Each student will be provided with clay, glazes and firing for their projects.
Format: 6 classes, 3 hours each (approximately two hours of demonstration and guidance plus one hour of practice).
Requirements: Students must be at least 13 years-old. Min/Max Enrollment: 4/8 students
Description: This class is for individuals with no or very little experience with clay. Maybe you had a clay class in high school, or maybe you have always wanted to do this, but you did not know where to start? Each teacher’s class will have a slightly different format, but they will all focus on the following areas from weeks one through six: Centering clay, opening, pulling, wedging, trimming leather-hard clay, pulling and attaching handles, basic glaze techniques (dipping, brushing).
What do I need to bring? Bring an apron, an old towel for cleaning your hands, clay tools, a sketch book, and your sense of humor.
What is provided? Each student will be provided with 12 pounds of clay. Students in Beginning Wheel Throwing who use all of their clay may request more clay, up to 25 pounds within their six-week class. Students who need more than 25 pounds will need to speak to their teacher about possible options
What is Open Studio? Open studio hours are designated times when students (not the general public) can access the studio to work on projects. During open studio hours, currently enrolled CCG students can:
Hone their pottery skills on the pottery wheel
Use wheels, handbuilding tools, wheel-throwing tools and other CCG resources (slab roller, extruders, tile cutters, glazes, slab and hump molds) for their artistic endeavors
Peruse a growing library of art books, pottery books and magazines
Glaze their pottery pieces with underglazes, brushing glazes, and dipping glazes
Engage with a community of aspiring and established potters about all things pottery
WHEN is Open Studio? Open Studio is available six days a week. We try to ensure that wheels are readily available to students, Please plan your studio use in advance when possible.
Open Studio Hours: 40+ hours
Mondays: Closed
Tuesdays: 5pm - 10pm
Wednesdays: 12pm - 10pm
Thursdays: 12pm -10pm
Fridays: 12pm - 10pm
Saturdays: 12pm - 5pm
Sundays: 12pm - 5pm
Terms and Conditions: Full payment is due upon registration. No Refunds.
If classes are cancelled due to studio closures like inclement weather or power outages, the class will resume the following week and the class end-date will be pushed back. If a student misses a class, they are allowed to make-up the class by sitting-in on another class (with permission of the instructor) during the same week. If a student misses multiple weeks of class, they should contact the instructor or studio manager to inquire about make-up opportunities.