Want to learn to throw pottery on the potters wheel? Class available in March 2025.
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Wheel Throwing Basics Class - Thursdays March 7, 13, 20, 27 6-9pm
Instructor: Ed Hill
4 students maximum
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Ages : 16 and up
Total planned course time: 10 hours (approximate)
Prerequisite: none
Minimum 12 lbs. of “B-mix” clay will be needed for the course - see purchase details below.
This will be a fun, fast-paced, 4-part training/workshop for wheel throwing with lots of hands-on learning! This comprehensive fundamentals pottery wheel course is geared toward the new potter, those returning after a hiatus, or anyone needing to learn the fundamentals of throwing cylinders (the starting point for the majority of wheel thrown pieces!). After successfully navigating this course, the participant will have gained fundamental skills on the wheel, and the confidence to create their vision in clay and continue their journey into the wide world of wheel thrown pottery!
A course syllabus follows, subject to schedule and content change at instructor’s discretion and/or progress and needs of the students:
Day 1* – Studio orientation, introduction to the wheel, tools, preparing clay for throwing, centering & opening
Day 2 – Guided Skill building: wedging, centering, stages of throwing
Day 3 – Guided Skill building: centering, donut, truck tire, volcano, pulling walls, pulling handles, trimming, throw a piece to finish out
Day 4 – Practice centering/donut/truck tire/volcano, pulling walls, pulling handles, trimming your piece, attaching handles, sprigs, etc.
*The first day is mandatory as the following days will build on skills accumulated in previous days’ lessons. Attendance on the remaining days is strongly encouraged for completion of all course objectives.
Students will need $10 to $20 (cash or check only) the first day to purchase course clay at the MakeICT ceramics studio (a minimum of 1/2 bag or ~12 lbs. B-mix clay is needed during the course). Additional clay for the course is available for purchase if needed. You will not need to buy/bring tools for the class. All needed tools are available for use in-studio.
You will be working with wet clay each day, and you will get a LOT of it on your clothes. It washes out easily, but be prepared to get “dirty”!
On completion of this course, you will have a piece ready to be dried, bisque fired, glazed, and fired to a finished piece of pottery you can be proud of! (Your results may vary.) Finishing/glazing/firing your piece is out of scope for this course, but can be completed on your own as a member of MakeICT (no cost to members for kiln firings). There may be course offerings for glazing & firing at a future date, so keep an eye out for that if interested.
See link below for makeict calendar. Class information, fees and sign up details are found on day one, March 6, on the class calendar schedule.
