Defying Gravity: Building Big

Have you ever dreamed of building big? Of making a lovely sculpture to adorn your home or gallery? Do you yearn to learn alternative finishing for pieces instead of the hassle of glazing? Then this class is for you!!! Defying gravity has always been a passion of mine, and I want to pass my joy of large scale sculpture on to you. 

In this course you will each focus on making an individual large piece using sculptural handbuilding skills for the duration of the quarter. I will teach you to develop flexibility, discipline, and the ability to pivot when things don’t go as you planned. You will learn how to keep a ceramic piece workable for long periods of time, how to create strong, lasting work, and to repair pieces when necessary. 

The coolest part??? We will also work together as a class to collaborate on making one giant piece that will fill the largest kiln Pottery Northwest has! 

This class is intended for intermediate to advanced ceramic students, but if you are newer, have passion and dedication, then please join us in this fabulous class. 

Learn more about your instructor Jessica Marie Mercy.

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

What’s included:

• Access to use our studio during open studio hours every day for the duration of the quarter from 10AM to 9PM.
• 2 bags of clay (pick-up first day of class)
•  Personal shelf for storage of tools, clay, and special storage for in process work

There is a $25 materials fee added to the price of this class to cover additional bag of clay.

What to bring:

• A good attitude and a mind open to learning.
• A basic pottery tool kit. (This should include a cut off wire, wooden knife, wooden rib, metal rib, needle tool, sponge, trimming loop tool and double-ended ribbon tool.)
• An apron or clothes that can get dirty.
• A notebook or sketchbook.

Pottery NW has communal tools available. Personal toolkits, bat pins & additional clay can be purchased at the online student store. All items purchased from the store need to be picked up onsite.

Please Note:

• If you are new to the Pottery NW studio, or if you have not attended an orientation as of Summer Quarter 2023, 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!