Ceramics Classes
Students will learn the fundamentals of pottery through the lifecycle of clay. Students will learn how to throw pottery, trim feet, pull handles, and glaze their work, as well as the general safety of working with clay and ceramic glazes.
Read more about our ceramics classes here!
8 WEEK CLASSES
Tuition: $219.00 + $35 material fee
Member Tuition: $198.00 + $35 material fee
Class Resources
Spring 2026
Beginning Pottery - Tuesday (PDF)
Beginning Pottery - Saturday (PDF)
Mixed Level Pottery (PDF)
Next Level Pottery (PDF)
Ceramic Handbuilding (PDF)
Ceramic Sculpture (PDF)
Summer 2026
Beginning Pottery - Wednesday (PDF)
Beginning Pottery - Saturday (PDF)
Mixed Level Pottery (PDF)
Next Level Pottery (PDF)
Ceramic Handbuilding (PDF)
More about Ceramics and Clay Courses
Ceramics at the Firehouse Art Center offers a hands-on, process-driven experience that combines technique with creative exploration. Whether you’re new to working with clay or looking to hone your skills, ceramics and clay classes are designed to support growth at every stage while encouraging individual creativity.
Class Format
Ceramics and clay classes are typically offered in four- or eight-week sessions and meet weekly. This structure gives students the time and repetition needed to build comfort with the material while progressing through each stage of the process.
Courses include a mix of demonstrations, guided practice, and independent work time. Beginners are introduced to essential tools, terminology, and foundational techniques, while more experienced students can pursue increasingly complex forms and surface treatments within the same studio environment.
Enrolled students may also have access to scheduled studio hours outside of class, allowing additional time to practice, experiment, and complete projects at their own pace.
Instructors
Ceramics and clay courses are led by experienced artists and professional potters who bring a wide range of studio and teaching backgrounds. Many instructors are actively creating and exhibiting their work, and they draw from both traditional techniques and contemporary practices in their teaching.
Instruction is highly individualized, with an emphasis on helping each student develop both technical skills and a personal creative voice. Whether you’re learning the basics or pushing into more advanced work, instructors provide hands-on guidance and thoughtful feedback throughout the process.
Studio, Materials, and Equipment
Students work in a fully equipped ceramics studio with access to ten pottery wheels, a slab roller, extruder, and a variety of handbuilding and finishing tools. The Firehouse hosts two electric kilns, a raku kiln, and a gas kiln for finishing work. Classes introduce students to different clay bodies, glazing options, and firing processes, with guidance on selecting the right materials for each project.
Depending on the course, materials may be included or available for purchase. Instructors also cover proper studio practices, safety considerations, and workflow from start to finish.
Outcomes
By the end of a ceramics course, students will leave with a collection of finished pieces that reflect both their technical development and personal style. More importantly, students will have gained a working understanding of the full ceramic process, from forming and refining to glazing and firing.
Students also build confidence in the studio, develop problem-solving skills, and learn how to continue practicing independently or advancing into more specialized classes and workshops.
Common Techniques and Areas of Focus in Ceramics and Clay
Wheel throwing and centering clay
Handbuilding methods such as slab, coil, and pinch construction
Surface design and texture application
Trimming, shaping, and refining forms
Glazing techniques and color development
Functional pottery and sculptural forms
Ceramics and Clay Workshops
Ceramics and clay workshops narrow the focus to specific techniques or areas of interest, giving students time to concentrate on a single process without the longer commitment of a full course. These sessions are often led by visiting artists or instructors with specialized expertise, bringing new perspectives into the studio.
Workshops might explore advanced wheel techniques, alternative surface treatments, or unique glazing approaches, offering a chance to experiment, refine skills, and expand your creative process in a more concentrated setting.