6 Week Intro to Ceramics

Welcome to Intro to Ceramics! This beginner course is designed for students eager to explore the art of ceramic pottery. In 6 class sessions (and open studio time), you'll engage in hands-on projects, learn essential techniques, and develop a foundational understanding of ceramics. Emphasis is placed on creativity, mindfulness, and cultivating a relentless curiosity for the medium. You will have access to your teacher during classes and additional self-directed time in the studio once a week outside of class time.

PLEASE NOTE THE LAST CLASS IS 3 HOURS AND WILL START AT 5 PM.

Week 1 - Intro & Information day

Learn studio resources, how to use equipment and what resources you will have in and out of class.

On the wheel - Understand what clay is and its properties. Wedge, throwing and moisture management. Familiarize ourselves with studio cleaning protocols.

Wheel throwing: Learn to wedge, center, open, pull walls, shape, level rims, trim bases, and remove pieces from the wheel.

Week 2 - Continued Wheel Practice

Throwing - Gain foundational wheel-throwing skills. Develop an experimental mindset towards practice. Keep track of drying pieces and moisture.

On the wheel - Recap throwing process and demo new tricks. Students continue with throwing projects and experiment with taller or wider forms.

Week 3 - Trimming and Leather-Hard Stages

Refine throwing skills. Learn how to trim and prepare pieces for drying.

Trimming - Learn about leather hard to bone dry stages of clay and when to trim, alter and add clay.

Week 4 - Glazing Techniques

Learn basic glazing techniques. Understand glazing principles and food safety considerations. Then back to throwing and trimming. This is the last week for ‘wet work’.

Glazing Instructions - Understand how to read the glaze wall, mixing buckets of glaze and application of glaze to pot. Practice by making a test tile.

Week 5 - Finish Leather-Hard Pieces

All greenware goes on the “ready to bisque fire” shelf.

Introduction to texture and surface design demos on bisqueware and lingering greenware.

Surface design - Sgraffito, Inlay and Mishima and Underglaze practices.

Week 6 - Glaze Day & Potluck - THIS CLASS WILL BE 3 HOURS

Finish and celebrate your work

Close out class and finish final works with glaze class and demos.

6 Week Intro to Ceramics with Stephanie