Youth & Teen Pottery Intensive: Wheel Throwing & Handbuilding

Unlock your creativity this summer with our Teen Pottery Intensive! Meeting for a total of six session on Monday through Wednesday for two weeks from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, this intensive gives teens a hands-on, immersive experience with clay in a fun and supportive environment. Whether you’re new to pottery or ready to refine your skills, this intensive lets you focus on personal projects and build confidence on the wheel and beyond.

Led by Brittney Baldwin
Our intensives are led by Brittney Baldwin, an experienced educator with a BFA in Art Education who also teaches in Portland Public Schools. Brittney’s approach blends mindfulness, play-based learning, and community connection while giving teens space to explore their own creative voice.

What Participants Will Do

Start Each Day with Participant Circle:
Each session begins with grounding breaths, a quick check-in, and a discussion of the day’s focus. Activities like mindful movement or a creative prompt help set intention and spark inspiration.

Master the Pottery Wheel and Beyond:
Teens will spend the first week and part of the second week honing their skills on the wheel, learning techniques from centering to shaping and finishing.

Create from Start to Finish:
Participants will take their projects through the entire pottery process—wheel work, drying, trimming, decorating, glazing, and firing—learning how to bring an idea fully to life.

Skill-Building and Personal Projects:
Projects are designed to encourage creativity, problem-solving, and self-expression. Teens may choose from guided projects or develop their own ideas. Examples include:

Nature Impressions: Press natural materials into clay to create textured tiles, wall hangings, or functional pieces.
Sculpture & Creatures: Invent clay characters and design their environments, blending sculpting and storytelling.
Functional & Artistic Bowls: Explore inside/outside designs that reflect personal meaning, skillfully crafted on the wheel or by hand.

🍎 What to Wear/Bring

Clothes that can get dirty
A water bottle

Elemental Studios is a place where teens can express themselves, make friends, and experience the joy of hands-on creativity. Our Teen Intensives focus on skill-building, creative exploration, and personal growth in a supportive, mindful environment.