Pottery is an incredibly rewarding experience, even for beginners!
If you’ve never held clay in your life, we’re here to tell you that making pottery can be therapeutic and enjoyable. Not to mention, it’s a relatively easy hobby to pick up.
If you want to grow your skills and get the true experience of the art of pottery, sign up for a pottery class at a local art studio or community college.
Both aspiring and established potters can find a wide range of courses for all skill levels, ranging from $100 for six-session introductory courses to $1,000 12-day workshops.
Almost anyone can create beautiful wheel-thrown or hand-built pottery with the right guidance, tools, techniques, and a little bit of inspiration.
In this article, we’ll let you in on what to expect in your first pottery class and how you can make the most out of this therapeutic experience!
What to Expect in Pottery Class
If you’ve never stepped into an art studio, you’ll likely have a few questions on how you can prepare for your first pottery class.
Where to find Pottery Classes
Most pottery classes are held at local pottery studios, recreation centers, or community colleges. While there will be slight differences in teaching methods and class structure, here’s what you should expect:
Signing-Up for Class
After registering for your pottery class, you’ll likely receive a list of equipment and tools to bring on your first day.
Your class fees will cover the cost of your instructor’s salary as well as the clay and equipment. Other studios will require a small rental fee for equipment or that you purchase a basic kit of pottery tools.
Pottery Class Structure
Most pottery sessions will incorporate these three parts: a lecture, demonstration, and studio time.
You should expect your first class to cover a basic introduction to pottery, tools, and the course structure. The exciting part is getting to see demonstrations and techniques from a master potter –– your instructor. You’ll learn about:
- Clay wedging
- Basic hand-building techniques
- Scoring
- Centering your clay on the pottery wheel
A skilled instructor can make the pottery-making process look easy, but you should understand that pottery is a continuous learning experience. With patience, practice, and determination, you’ll be able to demonstrate these techniques soon enough!
Beginner Pottery Projects
Pottery classes will usually incorporate a few different projects as the sessions progress. You’ll get to learn about many different construction styles to get an idea of how clay can be worked and shaped.
The first technique students learn about is how to hand-build pieces using coils, slabs, or pinch pots. To create a sculpted piece, you’ll learn about carving and hand-sculpting.
You’ll also be introduced to wheel-thrown pottery, which involves special skills to work the wheel and handle the clay.
Throwing clay with an electric or manual pottery wheel takes more practice, but hand-building techniques are generally simple and enjoyable for everyone.
You’ll also get to learn about firing a kiln and how different types of clay react when exposed to the intense heat of a kiln.
Finally, you’ll get to know how to glaze your pieces. Making pottery glaze and learning how it reacts to heat in a kiln is an art in itself.
Length of Pottery Classes
Most classes run over six to eight weeks, where you’ll have to visit the studio once or twice a week.
You should expect each session to last about two to three hours, giving enough time for students to absorb the lecture and demonstration. Students will also be given enough time to work hands-on.
How much are Pottery Classes?
The cost of pottery classes will depend on three things:
- Location
- Duration
- How much clay, supplies, and equipment is needed
The good news is that you can usually find a course that fits your budget:
- Recreation center courses generally cost around $100, with one session held per week for two to three hours at a time. Rec center pottery classes are the most affordable option for beginners, but make sure to set aside some cash for your tool kit.
- Local pottery studios cost more, but most will offer their beginner courses at a reasonable price. Expect to pay around $250 to $300 for a private studio course.
- Community college pottery classes cost the most at around $1,000+ for the entire course. However, you get what you pay for, including more comprehensive lectures and more days in the studio.
Getting to Know Pottery Equipment
Before you step into your first pottery class, take some time to look into the important tools and equipment you’ll be introduced to:
Kiln
The kiln is the device used by potters to fire and bake glazes into their work. Professional craftsmen use different kilns and firing processes, but you’ll most likely be introduced to the electric kiln with easy-to-use temperature controls.
Pottery Wheel
If you’re serious about pursuing pottery, look for a course that introduces the pottery wheel. Before investing in an electric or manual pottery wheel, there are some important considerations, so make sure to look into that before making a purchase.
Electric pottery wheels are a good choice for beginners as they provide better torque control, and they won’t require the user to develop coordination right away.
Pottery Modeling Stand
A molding stand is a raised and fully rotational surface that makes modeling a slab of clay easier.
Most beginners start their pottery journey with hand-building, and a pottery modeling stand will be a handy tool.
Aside from these three pieces of equipment, you will also be introduced to handy tools like wires, ribs and scrapers, sponges, fettling knives, and more.
Since pottery can get messy, don’t be afraid to get dirty and wear clothes that will help you stay cool and comfortable, like a pair of shorts or jeans and a comfortable shirt.
Don’t forget your apron!
Conclusion
Pottery is a therapeutic hobby that anyone can learn. While it’s possible to improve your skills by learning at home, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth from learning straight from an expert instructor.
Especially if it’s your first time handling clay or getting behind the pottery wheel, be kind to yourself as high expectations often lead to frustration. A good instructor and learning environment will encourage you to keep going, no matter how steep the learning curve.
The important thing to remember when you attend your first pottery class is to celebrate your progress, no matter how small.