Registration Dates:
- Summer Registration opens to members Wednesday, April 30. Please login here or activate your membership in order to register.
- Summer Registration opens to the public Wednesday, May 7. Not a member? Click here to join us for exclusive benefits!
Class Schedule: *Please note dates and times for the 4-session workshop. Students should plan to attend all 4 sessions in full. A detailed syllabus is provided below.
- Friday, June 6 from 4–8pm
- Saturday, June 7 from 10am–4pm
- Sunday, June 8 from 10am–4pm
- Saturday, June 14 from 10am–1pm
Description: Spend four fun-filled days learning the basics of pottery in this beginner-friendly crash course! You’ll get familiar with key techniques like wedging, centering clay, pulling walls, trimming, and decorating your own pieces.
While wheel throwing takes time to master, this course is about building a solid foundation. You might not perfect every technique in just a few days—but you’ll have a great time trying. The main goal is to make a bowl and a cup, though don’t be surprised if your pieces take on a life of their own and become a succulent planter or a quirky paperweight. That’s part of the fun!
Since the pace is fast, your instructor will be there every step of the way. Struggling with centering? No problem—the instructor will do it for you so you can keep progressing. Need help shaping your piece? Expect plenty of one-on-one support. By the end, you’ll have at least one piece to take home and show off.
Just a heads-up: you might walk away totally hooked on ceramics and ready to sign up for the full intro course in Fall!
Level: Beginner, Ages 16+
Please note: Registration for this workshop will close on Saturday, May 31 at midnight.
Supply fee includes:
- 12 pounds of clay
- Use of underglazes and glazes
- All tools are provided
Students should bring:
- Apron (or clothing that can get dirty)
- Towel or cloth to wipe hands
Class Syllabus:
- Day 1:
- Studio tour, rules and etiquette
- See examples of different clay bodies and decorating techniques.
- Learn the difference between wet, leather hard, bone dry, bisque fired, and glaze fired clay. See and feel examples of each.
- Learn how to wedge clay.
- Learn how to center clay on the wheel.
- Watch the instructor demonstrate how to make a bowl on the wheel.
- If there is enough time, try to make a bowl.
- Day 2: Wheel throwing
- Day 3: Trim and decorate
- Day 4: Glaze
About Our Programs: As a place of convergence, the Mill serves as both a community and a physical place–celebrating the power of the arts, bringing people, ideas and perspectives together. We are proud to offer adult and youth programs that focus on awareness of one’s individuality in the contexts of family, community and the natural world. Our exhibitions provide a space to reflect, share perspectives and grow as a community. Our classes & workshops are designed to inspire creativity, foster connections, and provide enriching experiences for all participants. We invite you to join us in the studio.
