Adult 5-week Intermediate pottery on the wheel (Fall Session - Evenings)

Improve your throwing skills and learn new techniques you can use to create beautiful functional pottery!

This series is suitable for those who have taken at least 2 beginner pottery courses (or those with equivalent practice and experience). As a general measure, participants should be confident in their ability to wedge clay and be able to centre clay on the wheel without assistance.

If you are unsure, I would recommend taking an additional beginner pottery course just to become very comfortable with the foundational techniques before moving onto the intermediate series.

All materials and tools are provided. 

Classes will be held in our beautiful arts wellness studio in Alton Ontario. The address and additional details will be sent to registrants the week prior to the class start date.

Please note that the class is for adults aged 18 and older. (Youth aged 14 and over will be accepted only if accompanied by an adult).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Minimum class sizes:

We require a minimum of 4 participants to register for each class. If we do not reach the minimum number of participants, the class will be cancelled. You will receive a full refund if your series is cancelled.

Missed classes:

Unfortunately we do not offer make-up classes or refunds for missed classes.

Cancelled classes:

If a class needs to be cancelled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances (i.e. instructor illness) a make-up class will be offered.

Safety:

By purchasing and registering for this class you acknowledge that there are inherent risks involved with pottery and you acknowledge that you will be exposed to these risks. These can include but are not limited to the risk of strain or injury from working with heavy machinery and fast moving parts, risk of falls due to spills and slippery surfaces, risk of injury from lifting heavy objects, risk of inhaling clay dust which can be damaging to your lungs, and exposure to chemicals in glazes which may cause skin, lung, or eye irritation. We will review safety protocols to prevent and avoid injury, but will not be held responsible for misuse of anything within the studio or inability to follow or listen to instructions. For your safety you will be asked to wear closed toe, non-slip shoes and tie any long hair back in a bun.

Picking-up your finished pieces:

You will receive an email 4-5 weeks after your final class once all pieces have been through their final kiln firing and are ready to pick-up. You will have 30 days from this notice to come and pick up your finished pieces.

Please note that due to the nature of working with clay we cannot guarantee that all of your pieces will “survive”. Unfortunately we can’t be responsible for pieces which break or crack during the making or firing process. But we are pretty certain that you will finish this series with a new (or renewed) love of working with clay.

General course outline:

Week 1: Throwing in multiples

During week one we will have a brief overview of studio set-up and policies, then jump right into exploring techniques and tools to throw multiples of the same form.

Week 2: Handles + Nesting bowls

During week two we will practice the art of pulling handles, as well as techniques for creating the same form in different sizes.

Week 3: Making a teapot (body, spout, lid)

During this week we will start to bring everything together as we create all of the components of a teapot. We will also review different styles of lids and how to create lidded vessels.

Week 4: Teapot trimming and assembly

The focus of this final week will be on assembling teapots and determining thoughtful placements of all of the components.

Week 5: (no class)

There will be a break during week 5 to allow our pieces to slowly dry before their first firing.

Week 6: Glazing

The final week will be focused on simple glazing techniques.