The below details provide information about the Fall Class Session that will run from 9/11 through 11/19.
Please read through the below information and determine which class(es) you are interested in and that work in your schedule. Once you have that in mind, go to the Class Raffle page to start the process to enter the raffle for a class seat using the button at the bottom of this page.
Past Waiting Lists & Raffles:
MASKS: Masks are optional both during classes and open studio. People are welcome to continue to mask while in the studio and we will continue to make N95/KN95 masks available for your use.
Kids Classes: Kids classes are not part of the raffle system - registration for kids classes are available via the below button.
Please read through the below information and determine which class(es) you are interested in and that work in your schedule. Once you have that in mind, go to the Class Raffle page to start the process to enter the raffle for a class seat using the button at the bottom of this page.
Past Waiting Lists & Raffles:
- If you signed up for the class waiting list or raffle in the past, that was only applicable for if a spot opened up for that class session - we start fresh each session.
- Registration always opens to the current students and studio grant applicants first, and then to the general public.
- To be notified when registrations will open for future sessions, please join our mailing list or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
MASKS: Masks are optional both during classes and open studio. People are welcome to continue to mask while in the studio and we will continue to make N95/KN95 masks available for your use.
Kids Classes: Kids classes are not part of the raffle system - registration for kids classes are available via the below button.
Fall 2023 Class Schedule:
10-week adult classes, cost is $375 + $43 for the first 25-lb bag of clay. First week of classes starts Mon 9/11, last class ends Sun 11/19. Attendance is mandatory for the first 2 class sessions if you are new to the studio. There is so much foundational information conveyed in the 1st 2 classes that all remaining classes build on, it is really difficult to catch up.
Hand Building (10 students per class):
Potter’s Wheel (13 students per class):
Students will learn techniques for throwing such forms as bowls, cups, vases, and others using the pottery wheel as a tool. Bring your own project ideas or follow along with a guided project led by your instructor.
- Classes are for all experience levels, including no experience at all:
Throwing pots for Soda
Fridays 9/15 - 10/20 6-8:30 PM with Jeremy Noet (he/him) - participants must have recent previous wheel experience. This 5+ week class will culminate in a soda firing. Jeremy will spend 4 weeks covering how to make forms to maximize the benefits of firing in a cone 10 soda kiln and 1 week on glazing for soda before the loading and firing of the kiln. Class fee includes 1 half cubic foot of space in the soda kiln, with the option of purchasing another half or full cubic foot.
Details for all adult classes: This information is not applicable for the kids or teen classes.
10-week adult classes, cost is $375 + $43 for the first 25-lb bag of clay. First week of classes starts Mon 9/11, last class ends Sun 11/19. Attendance is mandatory for the first 2 class sessions if you are new to the studio. There is so much foundational information conveyed in the 1st 2 classes that all remaining classes build on, it is really difficult to catch up.
Hand Building (10 students per class):
- Hand building with Hilde Schaaf (she/her): Mondays 12:30-3PM, 9/11-11/13 – all experience levels, including no experience at all. Students will follow along on guided projects at the start of each class to learn the foundational skills that you can then apply to your own project ideas with a primary focus on functional forms. You will learn how to use the extruder and slab roller to create a variety of shapes and forms to use as building blocks for your creations. You will also learn a variety of hand building techniques including slab, coil, or pinching to create functional or sculptural pieces. This class will also include the option to learn how to use the potters wheel as a tool to finish hand built projects. Please note, this will NOT include traditional wheel throwing lessons.
- Sculpture with Sara Young (she/her): Sundays 10AM-12:30PM, 9/17-11/19 – all experience levels, including no experience at all. The class will focus more on the formal and conceptual elements of sculpture and less on the skill building, though slab, coiling, slump molds, pinch pots, and surface design will be thoroughly covered. Students will learn how to use the slab roller, extruder, and potters wheel if there is interest/experience. We will talk about luminaries, hanging sculpture on walls and from ceilings, as well as public/outdoor/garden art. We will talk about clay as a conceptual medium, as well as what makes a piece “work”. Bring any and all ideas you have to class, and be prepared to get messy.
Potter’s Wheel (13 students per class):
Students will learn techniques for throwing such forms as bowls, cups, vases, and others using the pottery wheel as a tool. Bring your own project ideas or follow along with a guided project led by your instructor.
- Classes are for all experience levels, including no experience at all:
- Mondays 6:00-8:30PM, 9/11-11/13 – All levels wheel with Kacie Guthrie (she/her)
- Wednesdays 12:30-3PM, 9/13-11/15 – All levels wheel with Sara Young (she/her)
- Wednesdays 6:00-8:30PM, 9/13-11/15 – All levels wheel with Finley Rick (they/them)
- Thursdays 6:00-8:30PM, 9/14-11/16 – All levels wheel with Finley Rick (they/them)
- Saturday 10AM-12:30PM, 9/16-11/18 – All levels wheel with Finley Rick (they/them)
Throwing pots for Soda
Fridays 9/15 - 10/20 6-8:30 PM with Jeremy Noet (he/him) - participants must have recent previous wheel experience. This 5+ week class will culminate in a soda firing. Jeremy will spend 4 weeks covering how to make forms to maximize the benefits of firing in a cone 10 soda kiln and 1 week on glazing for soda before the loading and firing of the kiln. Class fee includes 1 half cubic foot of space in the soda kiln, with the option of purchasing another half or full cubic foot.
- Class 1 - 4, Fri 9/15-10/6 6-8:30 PM: make pieces
- No class Fri 10/13: Skip 1 week to allow time for you to finish pieces, get them dry, & through the bisque.
- Class 5 - Fri 10/20 6-8:30 PM: Glaze and flashing slip application. If you don’t finish glazing your pieces, you can finish Saturday morning.
- Load soda Sun 10/22 10am-5pm: If you want to help with the loading you will sign up for one 2 hour shift - you will not have to be at the loading all day. Each shift of 2-3 participants will help complete one of the 3 stacks in the kiln. You will help roll wadding, glue wads to pots, and bring posts and shelves over to the kiln.
- Fire soda Mon 10/23: Most of the firing process is sitting around watching numbers crawl up the pyrometer (kiln thermometer) and nudging the gas lever up and down bit by bit - it is even less thrilling than it sounds and there is no need for participants to be there for the duration, although you are welcome to come for any or all of it. The exciting part of the firing will happen in the late afternoon/early evening when it is time to make the soda burritos and toss them in the kiln. Participants are welcome to come, but not required to.
- Unload soda Fri 10/27 6-8:30 PM: Participants will unload the kiln, scraping/cleaning kiln shelves and posts and reapplying kiln wash as you go. You will then discuss the results of the finished pieces.
Details for all adult classes: This information is not applicable for the kids or teen classes.
- 10-week class, 2.5 hours per class - total instruction time 25 hours, ages 16+. Cost includes access to 70 hours per week of open studio practice time.
- Attendance is mandatory for the first 2 class sessions if you are new to the studio. There is so much foundational information conveyed in the 1st 2 classes that all remaining classes build on, it is really difficult to catch up.
- Make-Up Classes: After the 2nd class, students may make up a missed class by attending one day of another class during the same session. Refunds are not provided for missed classes.
- Dress for a mess and bring an old towel. Communal aprons are not available, but you are welcome to bring your own.
- Beginners are welcome to use the studio tools to start with to ensure this is a hobby you want to commit to. At some point you will want to start investing in your own tools, which you can purchase at Burnish or at a number of online retailers. If you have tools already you are encouraged to bring them.
- Clay is sold separately; it is not included in the class fee so that you only pay for the amount of clay and firings you actually use. Bags of clay are $42 for 25lbs of the clay we typically use for throwing classes, which includes the cost for bisque and glaze firings, access to use the studio glazes and slips, and sales tax.
- Materials costs and availability continue to be volatile. While we keep costs as low as we can for you, we do have to pass on price increases when they happen.
- Cash/Check Payment Discount: If you purchase tools or clay in the studio with cash or a check you will receive a 3% discount at the register.
- All adult students are encouraged to use open studio time to practice and make work. No appointment needed for open studio, come in whenever you can for as short or as long as you want.
- Some open studio hours overlap with class times. You are welcome to use the opposite side of the studio during those times. For example, the wheels will be available to use while the Hand Building class is happening on the other side of the space, but the glazing area and adjacent tables cannot be used during hand building or kids classes.
- Open studio hours are not the same as the Retail Hours listed online. Open studio hours during the Fall class sessions will be:
- Monday-Friday: 10AM-9PM
- Saturdays & Sundays: 10AM-6PM