Classes
Enroll now for September 28th - November 7th Session
All classes include additional Open Studio hours (Tues, Fri, Sat, Sun 1-4) to practice on your own.
All materials and supplies are included.
Call us at (415) 272-9932
Our classes rotate throughout the year. Each session is 6 weeks and they run back to back.
Raku with Steve Becker
This session we welcome back visiting instructor Steve Becker, a former member and teacher here at the studio. His Raku pottery is on show this month at 45 Degrees Gallery. You'll learn to approach form with the demands of Raku firing in mind, and mix your own glazes with that process in mind too. Steve's experience guides the whole class toward strong, confident results. The final class meets on a weekend afternoon, so you can fire your work and see the process through to the end. Everyone loves a Raku firing, and it's a fun way to close out the six weeks. You must currently be enrolled in our advanced class, or get permission from the studio, to register.
Tuesday 6 - 8 PM
Class Full0 of 8 available $249 for six weeks
All Levels Wheel Throwing
All Levels Wheel Throwing for adults beginning through advanced levels. Due to small class size, we can offer enough individual attention to teach multiple techniques to everyone. This is a great class for those who had a class awhile ago or intermediate potters just getting back into it. We cover an introduction to basic studio knowledge and continued instruction in glazing. Students can repeat a few times as they advance.
Handbuilding with Slabs and Coils
I realized very early that pottery made on the wheel wasn't going to get me to the ideas I wanted to express. Then I had to develop techniques in hand building that could get me there. After getting my MFA in Michigan, I took a teaching job near Chicago. I first exhibited my slab work in juried shows and small gallery shows in Chicago. One of those led to a commissioned project for a large mural! I enjoy teaching students to start with an idea and then get the clay to create that idea, sticking closely to their desired outcome and not giving way to letting the clay decide what it will be. This introduces the idea of having a mental concept and a vision for a piece before you begin. Then students will be presented with techniques for creating in clay using hand building forming methods. It will be their choice to do each assignment with slabs or coils. Direction will be given in coming up with an inspiration or idea for the project and then the techniques to carry out that vision.
All Levels Wheel Throwing
All Levels Wheel Throwing for adults beginning through advanced levels. Due to small class size, we can offer enough individual attention to teach multiple techniques to everyone. This is a great class for those who had a class awhile ago or intermediate potters just getting back into it. We cover an introduction to basic studio knowledge and continued instruction in glazing. Students can repeat a few times as they advance.
Handbuilding with Slabs and Coils
I realized very early that pottery made on the wheel wasn't going to get me to the ideas I wanted to express. Then I had to develop techniques in hand building that could get me there. After getting my MFA in Michigan, I took a teaching job near Chicago. I first exhibited my slab work in juried shows and small gallery shows in Chicago. One of those led to a commissioned project for a large mural! I enjoy teaching students to start with an idea and then get the clay to create that idea, sticking closely to their desired outcome and not giving way to letting the clay decide what it will be. This introduces the idea of having a mental concept and a vision for a piece before you begin. Then students will be presented with techniques for creating in clay using hand building forming methods. It will be their choice to do each assignment with slabs or coils. Direction will be given in coming up with an inspiration or idea for the project and then the techniques to carry out that vision.
Wednesday 6 - 8 PM
Class Full0 of 8 available $249 for six weeks
Altering Bowls and Plates
In this class, you'll experiment with simple altering of wheel-thrown forms, moving beyond the perfect round to create serving dishes with artistic flourishes, elevated by wheel thrown, or handbuilt, stands and expressive handles. Ellen's first altering of large bowls was influenced by the Raku bowls of Wayne Higby while he was a grad student at CU Boulder. Taking a cue from his work which was landscape oriented. Ellen began her first sculpted bowls which had "canyon lands" on the inside. This is the work that she used to apply to graduate school. Learn to transform plates and bowls into centerpieces for fruit, flowers, and festive gatherings.
Thursday 6 - 8 PM
Sign Up Now2 of 8 availableYouth rate (under 16): $189, does not include Open Studio access $249 for six weeks
Beginning Wheel Throwing
This class was first taught by Ellen to first year students at University of Michigan. It is for adults that want to learn how to make pottery, cups, bowls, and plates on the Potter's Wheel. If you have never tried this before, or maybe it has been awhile since you took another class, this is the best class to sign up for. You will learn basic studio knowledge, learn to center clay on the wheel, and create cups, bowls, and plates. You will learn the basics of glazing to finish your work. My teaching methods help you achieve confidence in beginning pottery during your first 6 week session.
Saturday 10 - Noon
Sign Up Now1 of 8 availableYouth rate (under 16): $189, does not include Open Studio access $249 for six weeks
Beginning Wheel Throwing
This class was first taught by Ellen to first year students at University of Michigan. It is for adults that want to learn how to make pottery, cups, bowls, and plates on the Potter's Wheel. If you have never tried this before, or maybe it has been awhile since you took another class, this is the best class to sign up for. You will learn basic studio knowledge, learn to center clay on the wheel, and create cups, bowls, and plates. You will learn the basics of glazing to finish your work. My teaching methods help you achieve confidence in beginning pottery during your first 6 week session.
Open Studio Hours
Open Studio Hours are included with each of the above classes so you can come in and practice what you learned in class. This will give you about 2 hours of practice in addition to your class time at no extra charge. All studio equipment is available but no formal instruction is taking place. This is the very best way to make the most out of your class experience and help you to achieve the results you want. You must be registered in one of the above classes to attend Open Studio hours.
Open Studios Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays 1 – 4pm