Whether you're new to the potter’s wheel or returning to strengthen your skills, this course is designed to provide a solid foundation in wheel throwing techniques while introducing students to the ceramics studio environment and community at ASLD.
Over the course of the session, students will learn the essential steps of creating pottery on the wheel—from wedging and centering clay to pulling walls and trimming forms. Each week builds on the last, with demonstrations and hands-on time that support the development of key techniques and creative exploration.
By the end of the course, students will have gained confidence in wheel throwing, created a collection of finished pieces, and explored their individual style through surface design and form.
Weekly Overview:
Week 1: Course and studio introduction, overview of safety and studio policies, demos on wedging, centering, and basic throwing.
Week 2: Refresher demo on throwing; introduction to trimming and carving personal stamps.
Week 3: Trimming skills revisited; demo on creating and attaching handles.
Week 4: Intro to glazing and decorative techniques including shaping with ribs, using slips and sgraffito, burnishing, and pressing letterforms into clay.
Week 5: Demos of student-requested forms like plates, planters, or lidded vessels.
Week 6: Raku glaze demo and a refresher on glazing techniques.
Week 7: Final studio session for wrapping up work and participating in a raku firing event.
Clay:
Each class includes a materials fee which covers the cost of firing and glazing. In addition to this fee, students will need to purchase clay through the Registration Office at ASLD, which must be done in person. Clay costs are $20 for 25lbs of stoneware, $25 for 25lbs of porcelain. Please only purchase clay from ASLD, unless approved by the studio manager. No low-fire clays may be used at ASLD.
Tools:
Community tools are available for student use, in exception of a small sponge. If you prefer personal tools, a basic ceramics tool kit, small sponges and large clean up sponges are available for purchase at the Registration Office.
Other supplies:
Students are encouraged to wear clothes that can get dirty to ceramics class, including close-toed shoes. We also recommend bringing an apron and a towel.
Please review the ceramics studio policies before attending the first class: CERAMICS STUDIO POLICIES
Local Ceramic supply stores:
Rocky Mountain Clay 1220 W 1st Ave, Denver, CO 80223
Continental Clay 5303 East 47th Ave., Denver, CO 80216
Stoneleaf Pottery 6611 W 58th Pl, Arvada, CO 80003
Meiningers 499 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
