Wheel-y Beginners: Intro to Wheel Throwing (Sunday PM)

This ten-week class is an engaging and educational course designed to introduce complete beginners to the art of throwing ceramic forms on a wheel. Participants will learn the basics of preparation, including wedging, centering, pulling a wall and trimming, as well as diving further into the creation of functional projects such as cups, mugs, bowls and small vessels. Finally, all students will be given an introduction to surface design, decoration and glazing to finish each of their projects with their own unique, creative voices. Instruction will additionally cover essential studio practices, including reclaiming clay, maintaining a clean workspace, and following safety guidelines.

Most classes begin with a demonstration of the technique to be learned that day, followed by class work time and individual guidance by the instructor as time allows. The final class will be dedicated to a fun gathering and potluck where students will discuss their works with each other and the instructor and exchange ideas on their work and what they learned.

This is a Beginner-Level class. Prior clay experience is necessary.

Learn more about instructor Ryana Lawson.

We believe clay is for everyone! Need tuition assistance? Please visit our tuition assistance page for more information.

What’s Included:

• 1 bag of clay (pick up on the first day of class).
• Access to our studio during open studio hours to work on projects between classes (daily from 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM).
• A personal half-shelf for storing tools, clay, and in-progress work.

What to Bring:

• Basic Pottery Toolkit (should include a cut off wire, wooden knife, wooden rib, metal rib, needle tool, sponge, trimming loop tool and double-ended ribbon tool.)
• Apron or clothes that can get dirty are recommended.

Pottery Northwest has communal tools available for everyone’s use if you cannot afford to buy your own tool kit. Personal tool kits and additional clay can be purchased at the online student store.

Please Note:

• If you are new to the Pottery NW studio, or if you have not attended orientation as of summer 2023 quarter, you must attend the first class to receive the mandatory studio orientation. New students who do not attend the first day will be dropped from the class without a refund of the class fee. On the first day of class, late arrivals beyond 15 minutes after the class start time will not be permitted to join. Returning students should still attend the first day of class as the instructor will not be able to reteach missed lessons and demos to absent students in the proceeding classes.

• We are in Pioneer Square, so please plan ahead so that you have enough time to park. You don’t want to miss anything!