MEMBERSHIP IS FOR EVERYONE
BEGINNERS, HOBBYISTS, & EXPERIENCED ARTISTS WELCOME
Members Only Pottery Classes in Wheel Throwing and Hand-building are FREE with your pass or monthly membership. Instruction is available anytime as teaching artists are available to assist with your practice, however to access more in-depth techniques we ask that you sign-up in advance for Members Only Classes for beginners and all levels for learning skills such as: wheel technique, handles, trimming, glazing, and hand-building. Students should have already purchased a current pass or monthly membership before signing up for classes and demos on the schedule below. Sign-up for ceramics classes for any area of the studio you want to use such as wheels, glazing or hand-building.
Weekly Classes for Members
Beginner STUDIO ORIENTATION
BEGINNER Hand-building
Beginner STUDIO ORIENTATION
Wednesdays 6-7
Fridays 6-7
ALL LEVELS
REQUIRED CLASS
During this class an SBAP instructor will give you an overview of the studio, discuss important terminology tools and equipment as well as tagging your own shelf and more. ALL new students regardless of experience need to attend this orientation in order to start using the studio independently.
Beginner Wheel Throwing
BEGINNER Hand-building
Beginner STUDIO ORIENTATION
LEVEL 1
Thursdays: 6-7 pm
Sat & Sun: 11-12
Learn the basic steps of wheel throwing: sticking, centering, opening, and pulling. Try to stay 1 hour after your demo to practice on a wheel. Students are welcome to attend Beginner Wheel multiple times. This beginner wheel throwing demo is required in order to begin using wheels independently.
BEGINNER Hand-building
BEGINNER Hand-building
BEGINNER Hand-building
LEVEL 1-2
Sundays 3-5
We will cover important terminology, techniques, and tools that you need to know in order to advance in learning the basics of hand-building with clay. This class is required for students new to clay as you will need to know basic methods of working with clay. Even if you only want to focus on wheel work you will still need to know basic hand-building skills.
BEGINNER GLAZING +PAINTING
BEGINNER Hand-building
BEGINNER Hand-building
LEVEL 1
Sat + Sun 12-1
Learn the basics of how to glaze your pottery and create hand painted designs. This beginner glaze and paint demo is focused on how to use our solid color glazes and celadons. This class is required before using the Glaze 'n Paint room independently. Wait to sign-up for this class once you have your 1st piece of bisque pottery come out of the kiln
Trimming the foot
Trimming the foot
Trimming the foot
ALL LEVELS
Sunday 12:30-1:00
Learn how to finish your pot by trimming the foot and removing excess clay. Students should practice centering for at least 4-6 hours and should have a good feel for centering before signing up for this trimming demo. Make sure to keep your pottery bagged so it is leather-hard leather hard to practice trimming.
Pulling Handles
Trimming the foot
Trimming the foot
ALL LEVELS
Saturday 1:30-2:30
(every other Saturday)
Sign-Up to learn how to pull and attach handles. Pulling a handle on your first mug is super gratifying, however if not executed properly handles can often break, crack or pull away. To learn more about how to make other varieties of handles and attachments you should sign-up for the Beginner Hand-building.
Wheel Technique
Trimming the foot
ADVANCED GLAZING
LEVEL 2-3
Thursdays 2:00-3:00
Sundays 2:00-3:00
(every other Sunday)
Instructors will spend time during this class trouble shooting individual student questions and problem solving wheel throwing questions and technique. We will also talk about how to step up your game with more clay, throwing off the hump and new techniques.
ADVANCED GLAZING
Trimming the foot
ADVANCED GLAZING
LEVEL 2-3
Sundays 2-3
(every other Sunday)
Go beyond the basics and learn more about how to layer glazes, hand-painting, etching, underglazes, engobes, stains, washes, surface design techniques, slip trailing, mishima, scraffito and more... This is also a good time to trouble shoot glaze tests, techniques and questions...
GUIDE TO KNOWING YOUR SKILL LEVEL
BEGINNER - LEVEL 1
INTERMEDIATE - LEVEL 2
INTERMEDIATE - LEVEL 2
HAPPINESS IS MAKING YOUR FIRST POT...
All new students and beginners should sign up below for Beginner Wheel Throwing, Beginner Orientation to Clay, and Beginner Glaze 'n Paint. If you are starting out as a beginner and it is your first time working with clay you should plan to complete your first 12 hours with Level 1 classes and practice work during Open Workshop hours. Do not sign up for Beginner Glazing until you have your own pottery that has been fired to bisque ware. Beginners may take Level 1 Beginner Classes as many times as needed. If beginner classes have a waitlist, priority placement is given to first time students.
INTERMEDIATE - LEVEL 2
INTERMEDIATE - LEVEL 2
INTERMEDIATE - LEVEL 2
To practice pottery no matter how well, is a way to make your soul grow. SO DO IT.
You might be asking yourself
"How do I know when I have advanced to Intermediate Level 2?"
While there can be a broad range of skills that we consider Level 2, advancing to a Level 2 pottery student should mean that you:
- Have taken all 4 Beginner Classes several times.
- Easily center 1-2 lbs of clay
- Properly wedge and prepare your clay
- YOU can control the clay to tell IT what to do
- Ability to make small cups and bowls
- Ability to attach handles that do not crack or fall off
- Ability to trim the bottom of your pot.
- Understand and apply beginner hand-building techniques.
ADVANCED - LEVEL 3
INTERMEDIATE - LEVEL 2
ADVANCED - LEVEL 3
Being creative is not just a hobby, but a way of life
Once you have developed an intuitive sense of how to work with the clay you have begun to prioritize process over product with a deeper understanding that form must always follow function. Becoming an Advanced Level 3 Clay Student is different for everyone as some people choose to focus more on functional ware while others make more sculptural or decorative work. What we do know for sure about advanced student work is:
- YOU work hard to achieve a high level of craftsmanship
- YOU are constantly learning from your mistakes and take notes when needed.
- YOUR edges and surfaces are refined and intentional.
- Your work reflects form follows function.
- Your pottery is NOT clunky and heavy but somewhat thin and light weight.