Master the ancient art of hand-building and claim your independence
in the pottery studio. Clay Foundations is a comprehensive, beginner friendly course designed to take you from curious to self-sufficient
clay creator. By focusing on the structural fundamentals of clay
without the pottery wheel, you will learn how to transform raw earth
into functional and sculptural masterpieces.
Dates: Oct 2, 3, 4, & 18
Time: 10:00-1:00 (18th done at 12:00)
Where: At the studio #26-7875 48 Ave. Red Deer
Cost: $180 per person + GST Includes a bag of clay
What You Will Learn
Studio Independence & Etiquette
--Navigate the space: Feel right at home in a professional ceramic
studio.
--Master clean-up: Learn the essential routines that keep the studio
safe and dust-free.
--Community care: Practice the golden rules of sharing space and
equipment with fellow makers.
The Anatomy of Clay Composition: Understand what
clay actually is and how it behaves.
-Composition, compression and shrinkage
-Moisture stages: Learn to read your clay from wet and plastic to
leather-hard, bone-dry, and fired.
The Potter's Toolkit
-Meet your basic hand-building tools, from ribs and needles to loop
tools and sponges.
-Proper usage: Discover how and when to use each tool to achieve
exact results.
Core Construction Methods
-Pinch pots: Shape form and control thickness using just your hands.
-Coil building: Stack and blend clay ropes to create organic or largescale vessels.
-Slab construction: Roll, cut, and join flat sheets of clay to build sharp,
geometric, or architectural forms.
Studio Odds & Ends
-Finishing touches: Master detailing, scoring, and slipping to ensure
your pieces stay together.
-The Damp Box: Learn how to slow down the drying process for
complex projects.
-Clay reclaim: Understand how the studio recycles scraps back into
usable clay.
The Magic of Glazing
-Surface decoration: Learn the rules of dipping, brushing, and pouring
glazes.
-Kiln prep: Master the art of waxing and wiping your bottoms so your
work doesn't stick to the kiln shelf.
This Class is perfect for absolute beginners with zero clay experience. By the end of this course, you will have a collection of finished, glazed pieces and the confidence to work independently during open studio hours
Master the ancient art of hand-building and claim your independence
in the pottery studio. Clay Foundations is a comprehensive, beginner friendly course designed to take you from curious to self-sufficient
clay creator. By focusing on the structural fundamentals of clay
without the pottery wheel, you will learn how to transform raw earth
into functional and sculptural masterpieces.
Dates: Oct 1, 8, 15 & 29
Time: 5:30-8:30 (29th done at 7:30)
Where: At the studio #26-7875 48 Ave. Red Deer
Cost: $180 per person + GST Includes a bag of clay
What You Will Learn
Studio Independence & Etiquette
--Navigate the space: Feel right at home in a professional ceramic
studio.
--Master clean-up: Learn the essential routines that keep the studio
safe and dust-free.
--Community care: Practice the golden rules of sharing space and
equipment with fellow makers.
The Anatomy of Clay Composition: Understand what
clay actually is and how it behaves.
-Composition, compression and shrinkage
-Moisture stages: Learn to read your clay from wet and plastic to
leather-hard, bone-dry, and fired.
The Potter's Toolkit
-Meet your basic hand-building tools, from ribs and needles to loop
tools and sponges.
-Proper usage: Discover how and when to use each tool to achieve
exact results.
Core Construction Methods
-Pinch pots: Shape form and control thickness using just your hands.
-Coil building: Stack and blend clay ropes to create organic or largescale vessels.
-Slab construction: Roll, cut, and join flat sheets of clay to build sharp,
geometric, or architectural forms.
Studio Odds & Ends
-Finishing touches: Master detailing, scoring, and slipping to ensure
your pieces stay together.
-The Damp Box: Learn how to slow down the drying process for
complex projects.
-Clay reclaim: Understand how the studio recycles scraps back into
usable clay.
The Magic of Glazing
-Surface decoration: Learn the rules of dipping, brushing, and pouring
glazes.
-Kiln prep: Master the art of waxing and wiping your bottoms so your
work doesn't stick to the kiln shelf.
This Class is perfect for absolute beginners with zero clay experience. By the end of this course, you will have a collection of finished, glazed pieces and the confidence to work independently during open studio hours
This course starts October 6th and runs for 8 weeks with a one week break after week 7 (no class November 24) Final class December 1
Time: 6:00 - 8:30pm
Wheel Beginnings: Intro to Pottery on the Wheel
Perfect for: First-time potters, creative explorers, and anyone curious about working with clay.
Ready to get your hands dirty and experience the magic of the pottery wheel? In this 8 week beginner-friendly class, you'll learn the fundamentals of wheel throwing in a supportive and relaxed environment. We'll guide you step-by-step through the essential techniques, including centering clay, shaping forms like bowls and cylinders, and finishing your pieces for firing.
No prior experience is necessary—just a willingness to have fun and try something new! By the end of the course, you'll have a few of your own handmade ceramic pieces to take home and the confidence to continue exploring wheel throwing.
What’s Included:
Clay, tools, and firing/glazing services
Demonstrations and hands-on instruction
One-on-one guidance in a small class setting - 4 participants max
Additional access during designated times as scheduled - TBD
Fob access ($20 deposit, refundable upon return)
****GST not included
Note: This course is a pre-requisite to membership for beginner potters
After completing Class 4, participants who demonstrate that they can work independently will be given 24/7 studio membership access for the following four weeks. This gives you the opportunity to practice your new wheel skills on your own schedule while building confidence and consistency.
A $20 FOB deposit and a signed Member Agreement are required to receive access.
Please email if you have any questions prior to signing up
NOTE: Minimum 3 participants required to run the class
****SIGN UP EARLY SPACE IS LIMITED****