5-Week Ceramic Wheel Throwing | Thursdays

In this 5-week wheel-throwing course, Ceramicist Briena Chavez guides students looking to build a solid foundation in ceramics while progressively developing their skills. This class is perfect for beginners and those who want to refine their techniques through a guided approach. Throughout the course, students will learn fundamental throwing techniques, trimming, altering forms, and glazing, gaining confidence on the wheel while creating functional pottery. Each week introduces a new skill that builds on the previous one, ensuring steady growth and mastery of key pottery concepts.
Course Breakdown:
Week 1: Throwing cylinders and bowls – mastering form and structure.
Week 2: Trimming and attachments – refining shapes, “Why do we trim?” and adding handles (coil method).
Week 3: Throwing bud vases and altering forms into garden planters or wall planters.
Week 4: Trimming vases using chucks – learning support techniques for delicate forms.
Week 5: Break Week
Week 6: Glazing fundamentals for brush on – differences in glaze (celadons, mattes, etc.), layering techniques, wax resistant, and firing considerations.
Students gain hands-on experience with throwing and understanding of clay behavior from start to finish, as well as confidence in being on the wheel and a deeper knowledge of glaze choices and surface treatments.

 

Projects will be ready to pick up 3-4 weeks after the last class.