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What My Classes Look Like

These are example schedules for introductory level wheel and hand building classes. If you have a question about an intermediate or higher level class please reach out!

 

I believe teaching is a practice that should be responsive to change and student experience. I adjust and change class schedules a bit each time I teach them, taking into account what I've learned from teaching each session. 

These schedules are focused on building a strong foundation of skills and techniques that students can carry forward in their ceramics practice. Each class meeting will have a specific suggested focus and an instructor demo. Students are encouraged to ask for instructor demos and assistance as needed!

Introduction to Wheel

This schedule is designed for students new to clay wanting to learn how to throw on the wheel. It is important to build foundational skills in wheel throwing before moving on to more advanced forms. It’s also important to get independent practice alongside instruction, as learning to throw comes through trial and error and lots of practice! Primary focus for new students is to learn the basic steps of throwing on the wheel, not making the most perfect pot that has ever existed. 

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Week 1 – Wheel Throwing Demo & student experimentation / practice
Week 2 – Throwing Practice: focus on centering and opening
Week 3 – Trimming & Altering Greenware
Week 4 – Hand Built Test Tiles and Throwing Practice
Week 5 – Throwing practice: focus on pulling and straight walls
Week 6 – Throwing practice: small plates 
Week 7 – Trimming final pots or glazing final pots
Week 8 – Final glazing and / or Finished Piece Pick-up

Wheel 1: Mastering Basic Shapes

This schedule is designed for students in the beginner stage of their wheel skills. It is important to build foundational skills in wheel throwing before moving on to more advanced forms. Students should focus their practice on mastering the basic shapes and trimming and finishing skills. Beginner students are encouraged to ask for instructor assistance when needed and experiment with glaze and decorative techniques. 

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Suggested goals for each form are included, with the assumption that the beginner stage lasts different amounts of time for everyone. Students are encouraged to work through each of the basic forms in 3-4 week chunks as they repeat the course. 

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  • Cylinders

    • Goal: Throwing cylinders with walls of even thickness and height. Students are encouraged to practice with varying sizes of clay (1lb – 3lbs) and work to throw 3 or more consistently shaped cylinders in each weight. 

  • Bowls 

    • Goal: Throwing bowls with walls of even thickness and height. Students are encouraged to practice with varying sizes of clay (0.5 – 2.5lbs) and aim for a consistent shape.

  • Plates

    • Goal: Throwing plates with even thickness and consistent rims. Learn to properly compress and dry plates to ensure a lack of cracking and warping. Students are encouraged to practice with varying sizes of clay (0.5 – 2.5lbs) and aim for a consistent shape.

Introduction to Hand Building

Designed for students brand-new to clay and/or new to hand building. We will focus on building a strong foundation of skills and techniques that students can carry forward in their ceramics practice.  Students should focus on exploring the limitations and possibilities of clay when hand building and the process of making an intact, finished, piece. Beginner students are encouraged to ask for instructor assistance when needed and experiment with glaze and decorative techniques. 

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Week 1 – Three sizes of pinch pots and making slip
Week 2 – Underglaze and Finishing a piece
Week 3 – Small Sculptures
Week 4 – Slabs and Molds
Week 5 – Slabs and Molds
Week 6 – Free Build
Week 7 – Free Build
Week 8 – Final glazing and / or Finished Piece Pick-up

Hand Building 1

Designed for beginner level students with introductory level experience with hand building and clay. We will focus on mastering foundational skills in slabs, coils, and sculpture by making larger pots and student-designed projects. We will also explore surface design through the creation of tiles. Classes will be a combination of specific projects and student-led ideas.

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Week 1 – Coils, Coils, Coils
Week 2 – Coils, Coils, Coils
Week 3 – Slabs
Week 4 – Slabs
Week 5 – Large Free-Build Project
Week 6 – Large Free-Build Project
Week 7 – Large Free-Build Project
Week 8 – Final glazing and / or Finished Piece Pick-up

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