Introduction to Wheel Throwing Class 5 Weeks (10 hours) Monday's: November 30th, December 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th

Introduction to Wheel Throwing is an instructor led class once per week for 5 weeks of instruction. Each class is 120-minutes (2 hours) and is limited to 6 people for focused, individual attention. This class covers all basics of throwing clay on the potter's wheel, prepping and glazing pots and is the perfect class for total beginners or for those who need a refresher.  This class is held once per week on Mondays for 5 weeks (10 hours total) from 6-8pm at Ridgeline Ceramics Studio, located at 10N Main st. Bldg 3A, Voorheesville, NY 12186.

Note: If you need to miss a session, a private make up session may be scheduled for an addition $50.  Otherwise your instructor will catch you up in the next class!  

Topics covered in this class include: 

• Basic tool introduction
• Clay Safety
• Wedging clay
• Centering clay on the potter's wheel
• Coning up/down
• Pulling walls and shaping the clay
• Basic Trimming
• Glazing Basics

*Wear old clothes or an apron (studio provided), you will get messy!

* Long fingernails are discouraged during this 5-week class as they often interfere with the process.

The general class topics covered in each session are below:  Please note that classes will be cancelled if there is inclement weather and you will be notified via group text/email if this occurs. 

Week 1:  Topics Covered: Basic Intro to throwing, pottery tools and clay safety. How to sit at the wheel, bracing/stabilizing the body, wedging clay, centering.  We will start throwing on day 1!

Week 2:  Practice wedging, centering the clay, coning up and down, pulling walls. We will make our first real pot if you haven't already!

Week 3: Continuing to work on the above and practice pulling even walls. Troubleshooting air bubbles, uneven walls, clay compression and learning some tricks of the trade.  Make as many pots as you can using your new skills! If you threw any pots successfully from last week, we can start to work on an introduction to trimming our pots. 

Week 4:  Continuing to practice your new skills and refine.  Pieces that are thrown on the wheel this week will not be trimmed, but techniques for cleaning up the bottoms will be learned. Any pieces from the previous week will be trimmed and any pots from previous weeks will have been be bisqued and ready for glazing!  We will go over how to safely prep your bisque-ware for glazing and will start to glaze if your pots are ready for this step! 

Week 5: Glazing! We will cover the basics of prepping bisque ware (first firing) as well as glazing basics and then we will glaze our pots. Your pots will be ready to pick up in approximately 3-4 weeks.  Your instructor will e-mail the class with self-serve pick up instructions.

CANCELLATION POLICY:  Cancellations prior to the first class are accepted up to 48 hours before the start of the event and refunds/rescheduling will be granted or class credit provided. Class credit would give priority for the next offering. 

We must have at least 3 people for the class to run otherwise class will be cancelled and a refund or future class credit issued.

There are no refunds/credits for missed sessions during the 5 weeks but you may work with your instructor to make up any missed work subject to instructor availability and additional fee. 

No Shows will not be refunded.

SHIPPING OPTION

If you would like your pots to be shipped to you, we will pack and ship your pots for a flat fee that includes postage, packaging materials and labor.  We ship within the northeast only.  Please note: We take extra care to package your pots carefully, however risk of breakage is still possible.  Ridgeline ceramics is not responsible for lost or damaged pots.  Shipping is non-refundable.