Surface Design

In this 6-week class students will learn new ways to finish their work besides dipping them in glaze. We will cover many ways to design and decorate your ceramic ware in both greenware and bisque states. You will receive an introduction to Terra Siggilata, Sgrafitto, Mishima, stencils, slips, stamps, transfers, underglazes and stains. We will apply custom and intricate designs with decals in a third firing process.

Please note this is primarily a hand building class. Students are welcome to bring their wheel thrown ware for surface work to class. Instruction on simple hand-built forms (small plates, tiles, tumblers) will be covered for beginning students during class. 

Bring your creativity and imagination! This is an opportunity to incorporate custom, personal surface designs into your finished work.

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:

• Access to use our studio during open studio hours every day for the duration of the quarter from 10AM to 9PM.
• 1 bag of Studio Reclaim (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:

• WE HAVE MOVED STUIO LOCATIONS. Our new address is 2250 7th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
• Regardless of your prior class history at PNW, it is mandatory to attend the first week's orientation since we are all in a new space together.
• Due to our relocation and time of the year, this quarter will consist of all 6-week classes instead of the normal 10-weeks. We will begin with our regular cycle of 10-week classes in January of 2027.
• THERE WILL BE NO CLASSES FROM NOVEMBER 23 - 29. Classes will resume on Monday November 30th
• Free Parking in the parking garage located at the entrance on 8th avenue. No validation required weekdays after 4pm and none required at all on weekends.