Introduction to Clay Class

*Only available to new potential students, not current members*

Please note that open studio is not included in this class and you will not be able to sign up for open studio upon graduation. This class is meant only to be an introduction to clay.

Course overview 

Introduction of studio procedures and basic knowledge of pottery terms. Students will experience basic wheel throwing during one of the classes, and will be introduced to basic hand-building techniques during the other class.

This is a Two-session class – Includes 2 hours of instruction on each class day. No access to the studio in between classes.

COURSE MATERIALS 

All tools, clay, and supplies are provided

Resources

Please use Instagram, You Tube, and online videos and tutorials for ideas, tips and tricks

Course schedule 

Class One

Welcome and introduction, Sign all relevant forms, Safety and set up of Studio.

Basic wheel centering demonstration and short practice. Basic glazing demonstration. Clean up Procedures. Discuss sign up options for Hand Building or Wheel Throwing Classes. 

Class Two

Basic hand building demonstration and practice. Students will be introduced to pinch pot techniques and basic soft slab building techniques. 

Course overview 

We will learn the basics of Wheel throwing, and for advanced students, assistance in furthering your pottery education

Understanding of procedures, and basic knowledge of pottery terms

8 Week Class – Including 2 hours of instruction on your class day, plus unlimited practice time when the studio is open.

One 25lb bag of basic stoneware clay is provided, additional clay must be purchased at the studio

COURSE MATERIALS 

All tools and supplies are provided, students are encouraged to bring/purchase their own personal tools for use at the studio. Limited number of aprons are available as well

Resources

Please use Instagram, You Tube, and online videos and tutorials for ideas, tips and tricks

Course schedule 

Week One

Welcome and introduction, Sign all relevant forms, Safety and set up of Studio, Basic centering demonstration and short practice, Clean Up Procedures

Week Two

Wedging Basics, Demonstration, Basic wheel techniques, Clean Up Procedures

Week Three

Basic Trimming,  Handle creation and application, Clean Up Procedures

Week Four

Basic Throwing Techniques, How to change the shape of your cylinder, trimming, demonstration by teacher of new techniques, Clean Up Procedures

Week Five

Basic Glazing, including what glaze is, why it does what it does, and how, Clean up Procedures

Week Six

Larger amounts of clay, and Throwing, Demonstration by teacher of a new item, student ideas, Clean Up Procedures

Week Seven

Student Surveys, In Depth Glazing,, Throwing, Demonstration by teacher of a new item, or technique, Clean Up

Week Eight

Ideas from Students, Discussing continuing with the studio

Basic Techniques for Handbuilt and Sculptural Ceramics

Course Objectives: Learn basic hand building techniques: pinch, coil, and slab. Wedging and Extruding clay.

Week 1:  Orientation to Studio and SPG’s Mission Statement

Learn pinch pots, and coils

Demo: pinch pot, bowl or closed form

Project (1) Pinch pot demonstration: Students will make a small pinch pot

Project (2) Coil demonstration: Students will learn and practice how to roll and coil/add to a pinch pot.

Project (3) Combine above techniques to make a bowl using coils w/attached slabs, or an animal. Learn how to slip and score.

Week 2:  Stiff Slab Technique

Beveled Slip Joints, design

Project: (1) Make a box using templates, using a 45° angle cutter, use surface treatments/textures to design and enhance the box. Add feet, handles, knob.

Goal: Building basic skills: beveled joint, Understand aesthetic considerations, both personal and formal, in ceramic forms. Talk about templates and tar paper. Build your own template(s).

Week 3:  Soft Slab Technique

Creating Surface Textures in Clay

Demo: slab roller and the use of textured materials.

Project: (1) make a textured pitcher from slab rolled clay using butt joints and or overlap joints.

Project: (2) create a vase, cup, mug, pumpkin, teapot, piggy bank, or slab animal.

Project: (3) create a soft slab plate w/coils and mold, or slab pieces to construct a bowl.

Goal: Understand the importance of textural elements and design considerations when beginning to construct ceramic forms.

Week 4: Soft Clay Construction using the Extruder 

Project (1) Use extruded coils to build a coiled basket, coiled plate, vase.

Discuss the use of molds - slump, hump, drape, press.

Project (2) Use an extruder to make square, octagonal, round from, bases, and add handles or feet made of coils or handbuilt shapes.

Week 5: Come up with a Project Idea of Your Own

Demo: Basics of Glazing. Begin glazing bisque ware. Continue to bring all projects to complete assessing dryness, etc.

Week 6: Glaze and evaluate any glazed pieces

Discuss details of different firings oxidation/reduction

Week 7:  Finish projects, continue glazing.

Week 8: Finish all projects, discuss open studio and annual membership.