4 week Handbuilding Course

Our four-week classes offer an in-depth exploration of working with clay, perfect for both beginners and those looking to refine their skills. Over the course, you'll learn a variety of techniques such as pinching, coiling, and slab building, each method allowing you to model you’re pieces in unique ways. By the end of the course, you'll have developed a deeper understanding of hand building and glazing, allowing you to create pieces that reflect your individual style and creativity.

Course schedule breakdown

A row of beige aprons hanging on hooks on a wall, with a sign above that reads 'ENTRÉE DES ARTISTES'. In the background, there is a room with a window, a table with neatly stacked papers or books, and some storage containers underneath.

Session 1

The first session serves as our introductory class to the studio space, we’ll cover the safety guidelines and introduce you to all your tools and materials before beginning our pinching and coiling demonstrations.  For the remainder of class you’ll incorporate these techniques into your pieces.

Two women working on a pottery project at a table near a window, with various pottery tools and materials around them.

Session 2

In this session you will be introduced to the slab building technique. We will continue work on refining our work from the previous session and begin constructing our slab built pieces. Throughout this session we will start discussing ways to add surface texture and designs through patterns, carving and piercing.

Person sitting at a wooden table holding a small ceramic bowl, with colorful pens and paper in the background, and other people blurred in the background.

Session 3

This is our last hand building day completely focused on making and finishing the pieces you have been working on throughout the course. Once completed we will set them out to dry so they can prepare for their initial firing where they become bisqueware in order to prepare for our final session.

Display of various ceramic pottery pieces on wooden shelves.

Session 4

After two weeks, once your work has been bisque fired we will meet for our last session to focus on glazing your pieces. Our studio has a variety test tiles showing samples of various glaze finishes ranging from dipping, drawing to painting. Once glazed, your work will be loaded into the kiln one last time for the glaze firing.

Additional Information

This course is perfect for complete beginners, or those who want to develop their skills.
During our first session each student will receive a bag of clay, tool kit and designated space on our studio shelf to store your work, materials and tools each week. Shelf storage is only available to those taking a 4 week course or reserving space for weekly open studio time. Access to studio glazes, and both bisque and glaze firing is included in the price.
During the first two session’s I will provide demonstrations for two pieces that incorporate the different hand building techniques we will cover. Each session there will be designated time where you can make anything you’d like. Throughout the course you could make anywhere from 4-5 pieces.