Pinch Perfect: Handbuilding for Wheel

If you primarily spend time in the studio on the wheel, this 10-week course offers a dedicated opportunity to expand your skill set and thoughtfully integrate handbuilding techniques into your thrown work. We'll focus on projects that elevate and personalize your wheel-thrown forms: think altered oval dishes, custom knobs and handles, sculptural lids, functional spouts, pitchers with complex attachments, citrus squeezers, ornaments, and small sculptural accents. This class is perfect for potters looking to push their functional and decorative work in new directions while building confidence in handbuilding fundamentals.

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.

This is a Intermediate Level class. Class will meet in the wheel section and clay experience is necessary.

Learn more about instructor Alison Grevstad.

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.