Advanced Wheel Throwing

This course is an invitation to deepen your relationship with clay through advanced wheel techniques, conceptual design, and surface exploration. Designed for experienced potters, this eight-week intensive course will emphasize personal expression through form, experimentation, and material manipulation.

We will move beyond functional repetition to investigate vessel identity, texture, negative space, and altered structures. You’ll be challenged to push the boundaries of traditional wheel work and develop a cohesive body of work that speaks to your evolving voice as a ceramic artist.

This class is both technical and reflective—supporting you in refining skills, exploring narrative through surface, and developing a sophisticated creative process rooted in intention.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Refine throwing precision and form execution
• Conceptualize and create altered and sculptural wheel-thrown forms
• Experiment with surface design through carving, layering, and texture
• Explore thematic development in creating sets, vessels, or collections
• Develop glaze strategies that support narrative or design coherence
• Engage in critique and articulate ideas behind form and surface choices
• Practice safe and communal studio habits

Advanced Wheel Throwing with Grey Barona
• Dates: Saturdays, July 12 – August 30, 2025
• Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Level: Advanced
• Location: d’Art Center, Norfolk, VA
• Class Size: 4 students maximum
• Focus: Refinement of technique, surface exploration, altered forms, conceptual development, and creating cohesive bodies of work.

Course Fees:

• $250 for d’Art Center Members

• $275 for Non-Members

Contact Deanna at ZHN0cm90aGVyIHwgZC1hcnRjZW50ZXIgISBvcmc= to verify membership and receive your code

Materials Provided (included in fee):

• Clay for course duration (approx. 25 lbs per student)

• Studio glazes

• Use of studio tools and wheels

• Bisque and glaze firings

• Includes 2 Open Studio Sessions during the run of the 8-week course, dates and times TBA.

Participants Bring:

• Towel and apron

• Sketchbook/journal for reflection and design notes

• Any personal carving/texturing tools if desired

**Potter Tool Kits can be purchased upon request. **

All clay, glazes, tools, and firings are included in the course fee. Please bring:

• A towel and apron
• Sketchbook or journal for process notes and reflections
• Any reference items or texture tools you’d like to explore

Each week offers a mix of advanced demonstrations, independent work time, creative dialogue, and peer critique. You are encouraged to journal your process, ask bold questions, and experiment fearlessly.

• Respect the space and each other’s practice
• Clean your area, tools, and wheel before leaving
• Label your work with initials and date
• Share feedback kindly—this is a space for growth and exploration

This course is an opportunity to explore what clay can say beyond function. Let yourself follow questions, make bold decisions, and shape the unexpected. I’m here to support you in pushing boundaries and celebrating your unique aesthetic voice.

With excitement and trust in your process,

Grey Barona

Instructor | Potter | Founder of Lockhart Arts

Info: • Advanced centering and form refinement

• Discuss vessel identity and conceptual frameworks

• Throw forms with purposeful proportion and scale


Homework:

Sketch 2–3 vessel concepts you'd like to explore this term.

Info: Theme: Texture, Memory, Mark-Making


• Demo: Building texture—carving, stamping, and layering

• Explore intentional surface as metaphor

• Begin test tiles or textured form series


Homework:

Photograph or collect natural/architectural textures for reference.

Info: Theme: Breaking Symmetry


• Demo: Faceting, darting, cutting and recomposing thrown forms

• Challenge functional expectations

• Begin altered vessel project


Homework:

Journal a personal motif or symbolic shape to explore through form

Info: Theme: Connection & Dialogue


• Techniques for throwing and fitting lids

• Explore how parts relate: spouts, knobs, handles

• Create at least 1 paired or lidded form


Homework:

Observe objects in your space that require interaction—reflect on their design.

Info: Theme: Repetition with Variation


• Throw and trim with consistency

• Design a series or set—teaware, bowls, nesting pieces

• Discuss aesthetic cohesion and variation


Homework:

Design a functional or sculptural series of 3–5 pieces.

Info: Theme: Color & Coherence


• Explore advanced glaze applications: resist, pouring, layering

• Discuss material testing and documenting results

• Begin test pieces and glaze preparation


Homework:

Refine glaze palette and document layering tests.

Info: Theme: Reflection & Refinement


• Independent studio time with 1-on-1 guidance

• Mid-course critique and discussion

• Prep final pieces for glaze or presentation


Homework:

Write or sketch a statement about your final project theme.

Info: Theme: Looking Ahead


• Group critique of final works (optional participation)

• Studio cleanup and discussion of continuation paths

• Firing logistics and photo documentation

• Closing circle & reflection

Also check out other Workshops in Norfolk, Arts events in Norfolk.