Hand Flavor: Beginning Handbuilding

Hand flavor: (n.) Flavor that comes from the use of the hand when making food. (translation of korean word, 손맛)

Clay is a material that is readily informed by our touch- we can squish a ball of clay in our hands and it can be simultaneously something beautiful and nothing. In this beginning handbuilding class, we will be exploring various handbuilding techniques to effectively express each of our own hand flavors. You will learn various ways of using your hands as a tool to various forms. We will cover traditional handbuilding techniques- slab construction and coil building, as well as some alternative methods of working with clay. 

The first couple weeks of class we will be working on exercises together to help you familarize yourself with the studio and material. For the remainder of the quarter, you will be creating a project based on sketches that you bring to class. Get wild with your imagination! My role is to offer you tips and tricks to help physically achieve your ideas. 

This is a Beginner Level Class. No prior clay experience is necessary. Enthusiasm required :) 

Learn more about instructor Michael Hong.

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.
• 1 bag of clay (pick-up first day of class)
• Personal half shelf for storage of tools, clay, and in process work

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 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!