Unglazed & Unfazed: Alternative Finishing Techniques for Ceramic Surfaces

Glaze isn’t the only way to finish ceramic work—and in this class, we’re breaking the shiny, kiln-fired mold. Whether you’re new to clay or a practiced hand looking to expand your surface game, this course invites you to explore the wild, creative world of cold finishes: acrylic paint, resin pours, auto body finishes, nail polish, puffy paint, glitter, fabric, spray paint, and anything else you can mod podge, glue, or adhese onto bisqueware.

We’ll talk technique, texture, layering, and play. Bring your own bisqued work to experiment with, or build a small piece or a series of test tiles in class to use as your surface playground. This is a space to challenge the idea that glaze is the only “real” ceramic finish and to embrace the accessibility, economic, and expressive potential of alternative finishing.

Cold finishing offers a way to bring your work to life without relying on kilns or traditionalist mindsets. Think sculptural, experimental, maximalist—or minimal but unconventional. This is ceramics with permission to get weird, shiny, and bold!

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. Instruction will additionally cover essential studio practices, including reclaiming clay, maintaining a clean workspace, and following safety guidelines. 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.

$20 materials fee included in the class tuition

This is an All-levels class. All skill levels are more than welcome to join.

Learn more about 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:
• 1 bag of clay (pick-up first day of class).
• Access to use our studio during open studio hours to work on your projects in-between classes. Open Studio times are daily from 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM.
• Personal half-shelf for storage of tools, clay, and in process 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.