What makes a ceramic pot useful? What makes it beautiful to you? What makes a pot a “good” pot? This course will teach beginning wheel throwing and ceramic glazing skills by exploring these questions. We will cover the entire process of making functional wheel thrown pots, including design ideation, throwing, trimming, making handles, and surface decoration. We will also view images of pottery ancient to modern, and explore our own home ceramic collections. Focusing on craft, material sensitivity, and identifying personal taste, students will work on attainable forms to build new skills rapidly.
What You Will Learn:
- Basics of wheel throwing
- Ceramic hand-building techniques
- Advanced surface treatment with slips and glazes
Who This Class is For:
True beginners and anyone looking to strengthen their ceramic skills. Questions about whether this class is right for you? Email adulteducation@fleisher.org.
Firing Schedule: Once work is placed on the firing shelf, turnaround time is typically one week but may be longer depending on the thickness and size of the work, as well as overall studio production. All work must be placed on the bisque firing shelf by Friday, October 30, to guarantee firing before the final week of classes.
To accommodate increased demand at the end of the term, all work placed on the glaze firing shelf by Monday, November 16, is guaranteed to be ready for pickup by Friday, December 11. Work submitted after November 16 will be fired as studio capacity allows. Firings between semesters are less frequent and operate on a limited schedule, so work may not be available for pickup until studio hours between terms or the start of the following term.
Questions about the firing schedule may be directed to Scott Cooper, Senior Studio Technician, at scooper@fleisher.org.
All artwork, tools, and clay must be removed from the Fleisher Ceramics Studio shelving by the final class session, including by students registered for the Winter 2027 term. Unclaimed bisque or glaze work will be stored for one term only. Greenware will be discarded.
Accessibility Note: This studio is accessible by elevator, but some auxiliary areas require stairs. For access needs or accommodations, contact adulteducation@fleisher.org.