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; focus of practicing centering.
Week 3: Introduction to trimming and carving personal stamps.
Week 4: Trimming skills revisited; demo on creating and attaching handles.
Week 5: Intro to glazing and decorative techniques including, using slips and sgraffito, burnishing, and pressing letterforms into clay.
Week 6: Demos of student-requested forms like plates, planters, or lidded vessels.
Week 7: Raku glaze demo and a refresher on glazing techniques.
Week 8: Final studio session for wrapping up work and participating in a raku firing event!
No experience necessary—this class is ideal for beginners or those looking to refresh their foundational skills.
Clay:
Each class includes a materials fee which covers the cost of firing and glazing. Additionally, this class has a fee which includes all clay that students will use during class time. If students want to participate in ceramic open studios, they will need to purchase their own bag of clay from the registration office on the 1st floor. 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
Currently enrolled students have access to Ceramic open studio for a $10 fee. Please see the whiteboard in the hallway for updated open studio hours.
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
