Keeping It Wheel: Beginning Wheel Throwing

 In this class, we welcome you to try out the potter’s wheel! You will be introduced to the basics of the wheel and learn to make forms such as cups, bowls, and cylinders. We will cover throwing, trimming, and handles for those who are ready to take that next step. To finish your pieces, we will learn about wax resist, underglazes, and dip glazing. In this class, you will explore working with clay, learn basic throwing techniques, and create finished pieces that you will take home.

Grabner's teaching style includes discussing and demonstrating each technique, providing individualized guidance, and letting you explore your creativity in clay. This class will be geared towards students who have no previous experience with clay or throwing. All experience levels are welcome! Your instructor will have demos throughout the class on various techniques, and additional added demos for any topics you are interested in. 

This is a Beginner Level Class. No prior Clay experience is necessary. 

Learn more about instructor Kelley Grabner.

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!