*NOTE* This class is full. Registration is open for the waiting list only. We will contact the waitlist in order of registration date before the first class begins if a space opens up. To find your place on the waitlist please contact us at the front desk.
Registration: Before registering for classes & workshops, please review our registration policies in full. For questions, contact us at the front desk.
Description: Intro to Ceramics is a thoughtfully expanded ten-week course designed to immerse students in the fundamental techniques of ceramic art. Whether you are completely new to clay or seeking to refresh your skills, this course provides a welcoming introduction to both wheel-throwing and various hand-building methods.
Level: Beginner, Ages 16+
Please note: Registration for this workshop will close on Saturday, May 30 at midnight.
Schedule: Please note there will be no class on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
What You’ll Learn:
- Ceramics Techniques: Gain hands-on experience with the potter’s wheel and hand-building techniques such as pinching, coiling, and slab construction.
- Surface Decoration: Explore surface decoration techniques and learn how to bring your three-dimensional forms to life with intricate details.
- Clay Vocabulary: Become familiar with the essential terms and processes in ceramics.
Throughout the course, the instructor will tailor guidance to help more advanced students deepen their techniques and pursue individual projects.
Course Structure
- Hands-On Learning: Engage in practical sessions focused on building three-dimensional forms and developing surface expressions.
- Community Setting: Work in a collaborative environment that supports learning and creative exploration.
- Personal Development: Advance your skills at your own pace, with additional support for more complex techniques.
Studio Practice: In addition to class time, we highly encourage you to utilize the studio during open sessions each week. This extra practice is crucial for reinforcing what you learn in class. For important details about how to access and utilize open studio time, please refer to the Open Studio section below.
Supply Fee Includes:
- 25lb of clay (*If needed, more clay may be purchased during class for an additional fee)
- Two firings
- Glaze and underglaze
- A portion of your supply fee covers studio maintenance
Students should bring:
- Tool List
- Dress to get muddy!
- A towel for wiping your hands
- 3 gallon bucket with lid if you want to save your clay
- Notebook/Sketchbook
- List of items you would like to make - your goals
- Water bottle / Snack
Open Studio: The ceramic discipline requires time outside of class hours to practice and apply the techniques learned. During your ten-week class, you have access to the ceramic studio during open sessions. It is highly recommended that students plan to attend at least one open studio session in addition to their class on a weekly basis. Sessions are 3-4 hours long and are offered in the morning or afternoon during our regular open hours. *Please note: session availability shifts depending on the studio schedule.
Included in your course fee:
- Free Open Studio access to any student enrolled in an active class
- One additional session after the last class date which expires 1 month after the last class. This session is provided for any additional glazing or firing needed.
Registration is required to use the studio and sessions are free of charge to students in an active class. You can register for open sessions by stopping by the front desk during open hours or by calling/emailing us with your name and the date and time of the session you’d like to take. A calendar of monthly sessions will be posted in the ceramics studio and is available online before the first of each month.
All open studio users will be required to review and sign the current Ceramics Studio Policies before using the space.
About the Artist: Trish Vondrak is a ceramic artist and instructor who specializes in teaching beginner-level ceramics. With a deep belief in the healing and transformative power of art, she is passionate about creating accessible, welcoming spaces where adults can rediscover their creative voices.
For many, the opportunity for artistic exploration fades after leaving school, but Trish is committed to changing that. Her classes are designed to be supportive, inclusive, and approachable, helping students tap into their creativity regardless of prior experience.
Rooted in a love for both the process and the product, Trish finds joy in the meditative, grounding experience of working with clay. Her ceramic work often takes the form of functional pieces that invite everyday interaction and connection. Art isn’t something that must hang on a wall to be appreciated; it can be held, used, and integrated into the rhythm of daily life.
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.
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