Every great potter started exactly where you are right now: staring at a spinning wheel, mildly terrified, wondering if this was a mistake. It wasn't. This is your beginning. Our Beginner Pottery Wheel Orientation is a 2-hour class designed for anyone who is new to the potter's wheel and/or our studios. No experience needed — just curiosity, a willingness to get your hands (and shoes...and shirt...) dirty, and the ability to laugh when the clay does something unexpected (it will). Ages 12 and up. Each student gets their own wheel. No sharing, no waiting, no watching someone else have all the fun. What You'll Learn Wedging — how to prepare clay so it cooperates with you (mostly) Centering — the fundamental skill that separates pottery from abstract sculpture Opening and pulling — how to form an actual bowl with your actual hands Tool use — what all those mysterious studio tools are for Setup and cleanup — because a tidy wheel is a community wheel What Happens After Class Your pieces will need trimming before they're ready to glaze and fire. Return during open studio hours (Mondays or Tuesdays, 4–7pm) to trim your work — staff will be on hand to help. Untrimmed pieces are recycled the following Wednesday, so don't ghost your pottery. That only works in the movies. Once you've completed your Wheel Orientation, you're cleared to: Sign up for our popular 4-Week and 8-Week Wheel Classes Join Studio Wheel Hours for open practice time Start throwing mugs, vases, candle holders, plates, and whatever else the wheel inspires Practice is highly recommended for beginners — the wheel rewards repetition, and every session gets better. Glazing must be completed within 12 weeks of creation; work that isn't picked up becomes studio property. We'd rather you take it home. Class runs 90 minutes of instruction + ~30 minutes for setup and cleanup = 2 hours total. Please arrive on time — our studio is small, shared, and community-run, which means promptness is an act of love for your fellow potters.
