The below details provide information about the Winter classes that will go from the week of 1/8 through 3/18. 
Registration for the Winter session will open at 5PM on Wednesday Nov 30. The schedule and class descriptions are outlined below so that you can be informed and prepared on Wednesday.  
Registration will be available on the main Classes page. To be notified when registrations will open for future sessions, please join our mailing list or follow us on Facebook or Instagram. 

Waiting List: Registration always opens to the current students first, studio grant applicants second, and then to the general public on a first come, first served basis. We do not keep a waiting list that gets advance access to register, if you signed up for the class waiting list in the past, that was only applicable for if a spot opened up for that class session, we start fresh each session.  

MASKS: The current plan is that we will keep the current policy of masks will be mandatory during class times in class areas, but optional during open studio. This is subject to change as I continue to gather feedback from our instructors and students. People are welcome to continue to mask while in the studio and we will continue to make N95/KN95 masks available for your use.

• We reference both the Whatcom County Data Dashboard as well as the CDC Community Levels Map to determine the masking policy. It is possible the masking policy will change during the class session. 

Winter 2022 Class Schedule:
10-weeks, cost is $375. First week of classes starts Sun 1/8, last class ends Sat 3/18. Most classes are welcome for all experience levels, including no experience at all. Classes that require previous experience are clearly labeled as Advanced.

Hand Building (10 students per class):

• Hand building with Hilde Schaaf: Mondays 12:30-3PM, 1/9/23 - 3/13/23 – You 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. 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: Thursdays 6-8:30 PM, 1/12/23 - 3/16/23 ​– You will follow along on a short, guided project at the start of each class to learn the foundational skills that you can then apply to your own project ideas. You will learn how to hand build sculptural forms using coils, slabs, and wheel-thrown shapes of clay as building blocks. Discover how to add non-clay materials to ceramic sculpture and mount sculptures to the wall using a variety of attachment methods and devices. Please bring a sketchbook to use of any size to class.

Potter’s Wheel (12 students per class):
Over the 10-week class, adults 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.

• Mondays 6:00-8:30PM, 1/9/23 - 3/13/23 – wheel with Kacie Guthrie
• Wednesday 6:00-8:30PM, 1/11/23 - 3/15/23 – wheel with Finley Rick
• Fridays 10AM-12:30 PM, 1/13/23 - 3/17/23 – wheel with Sara Young
• Fridays 6:00-8:30PM, 1/13/23 - 3/17/23 – wheel with Finley Rick
• Saturday 10AM-12:30PM, 1/14/23 - 3/18/23 – wheel with Sara Young

Advanced Wheel - 5 Weeks 

• Sundays 3:00-5:30PM, 1/8/23 - 2/5/23 – Jeremy Noet: Throwing Next Level: Efficiency. This is a 5 week skill focused class for those wanting to level up their throwing skills. This class will focus on using your clay more efficiently - throwing thinner/taller/wider to make the most out of each ball of clay.
  • Minimum Experience: Students must be able to center, open, and pull up walls to an intended shape (make the general shape you are trying to make) most of the time.
• Sundays 3:00-5:30PM, 2/12/23 - 3/12/23 – Margaret Rattle: Throwing Next Level - Skill Refinement. This is a 5 week skill focused class for those wanting to tweak and refine their existing throwing skills.
  • ​Minimum Experience: Students must have completed at least 1 recent throwing class.
  • Maximum Experience: There is no maximum - Margaret will work with each person at whatever level they are already at.

Kids Clay:

• 5-week hand building classes, ages 6-11 - $115. Wednesdays 3 - 4:30 PM 1/10/23-2/8/23 & 2/15/23-3/15/23
  • During each 5-week class kids ages 6-11 will be introduced to hand-building techniques such as pinch, slab, and coil construction as well as various surface decoration techniques for adding color, pattern, and texture. Your child will have a wonderful time creatively exploring clay while learning new skills and making great friends! All tools and materials included in class fee.
• 10-week wheel class ages 11-15 - $255. Thursdays 4:15-5:45 PM, 1/12/23-3/16/23
  • Kids ages 11-15 will be introduced to basic pottery and wheel throwing. Sara will guide the class through wedging, centering, and forming a pot on the wheel, as well as basic glazing and surface design.
  • This class does not include additional practice time - kids will only be able to practice and work on projects during class time. Open studio time is only available for adults.
  • ​Kids will use studio reclaimed clay at the start of the class and once they learn enough to make pieces that can be finished, they will need to purchase a bag of clay. The after tax cost of a 25-lb bag of clay is $33 and includes the cost of glazes and firing fees. Prolific students may go through more than one bag over the 10-week session.

​Details for all adult 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. Bags of clay are $33 for 25lbs, which includes the cost for bisque and glaze firings, access to use the studio glazes and slips, and sales tax.
• 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 Winter class sessions will be:
  • Monday-Friday: 10AM-9PM​
  • Saturdays: 10AM-6PM
  • Sundays: Noon-6PM