Common Clay | 3-Week Pottery Program (9/4 - 9/18)

This program will teach foundational skill-building, good pottery practice, studio rules & expectations. Membership eligibility ($20/mo. for Genesee residents. $30/mo. for out-of-county residents) will depend on successful completetion of this program.

Week 1: Introduction to Clay & Hand-building Basics

• Understanding clay types and properties.
• Studio safety and etiquette.
• Basic hand-building techniques: Pinch pots and coil construction.
• Proper clay wedging and understanding clay stages for firing.

Week 2: Slab Building & Introduction to Wheel Throwing

• Creating forms using slab construction.
• Scoring and slipping techniques for secure attachments.
• Pottery throwing basics.

Week 3: Wheel Throwing, Glazing & Firing Basics

• Pottery throwing continued.
• Introduction to glazes and application techniques.
• Understanding firing processes (bisque and glaze firings).
• Understanding requirements for thrown pieces to be fired (e.g., thickness less than 0.75 inches, proper scoring/slipping).