Whether you're new to the potter’s wheel or returning to strengthen your skills, this course is designed to provide a solid foundation in wheel throwing techniques while introducing students to the ceramics studio environment and community at ASLD.
Over the course of the session, students will learn the essential steps of creating pottery on the wheel—from wedging and centering clay to pulling walls and trimming forms. Each week builds on the last, with demonstrations and hands-on time that support the development of key techniques and creative exploration.
By the end of the course, students will have gained confidence in wheel throwing, created a collection of finished pieces, and explored their individual style through surface design and form.
Weekly Overview:
Week 1: Course and studio introduction, overview of safety and studio policies, demos on wedging, centering, and basic throwing.
Week 2: Refresher demo on throwing; focus of practicing centering.
Week 3: Introduction to trimming and carving personal stamps.
Week 4: Trimming skills revisited; demo on creating and attaching handles.
Week 5: Intro to glazing and decorative techniques including, using slips and sgraffito, burnishing, and pressing letterforms into clay.
Week 6: Demos of student-requested forms like plates, planters, or lidded vessels.
Week 7: Raku glaze demo and a refresher on glazing techniques.
Week 8: Final studio session for wrapping up work and participating in a raku firing event!
