Skill prerequisite: This is a class for intermediate and advanced students. Students must be able to throw an even straight-sided cylinder of at least 3 inches. Most instruction will be focused on alteration skills, not on teaching throwing. Students that cannot throw a cylinder will not be able to participate in the class.

In this class you will learn to alter wheel thrown pots off the wheel. We'll explore stretching, darting, assembling, paddling, carving, stamping, and sprig molds to transform traditional pottery forms. By hybridizing wheel throwing and hand building skills, we'll produce unique functional and sculptural ceramics.

Please note: Class will not meet on Monday, January 19 and Monday, February 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. and Presidents' Days.  

Firing Schedule: All work should be placed on the bisque firing shelf by Friday, February 27, and on the glaze firing shelf by Friday, March 6 to guarantee it will be fired by the last week of classes. Students can continue to drop off work for glaze firing until Friday, March 13. Finished work can be picked up during operational hours between terms, or the following term. We will store unclaimed work for one term only. Questions about the firing schedule can be directed to Scott Cooper, Senior Studio Technician at scooper@fleisher.org.

Please review your class schedule as not all classes meet through the week of March 9-13. All artwork and supplies must be removed from Fleisher’s Ceramics Studio shelving by March 13 unless registered for a Ceramics class during the upcoming Spring 2026 term.