Registration for the Fall session is now complete - we do have space remaining in the 5-week Kids class and the 5-week Advanced Throwing - Lids class. Both those classes begin the week of 10/17
- MASKS: Effective 9/2, masks will be mandatory during class times in class areas, but optional during 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.
- 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.
- To be notified of future class registrations, join our mailing list.
- Waiting List: Registration for the next session 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.
- Classes will sell out fast, it is recommended you use Google or Apple Pay to purchase the class to reduce the risk the class sells out while you are entering your information. Just having the class in your cart does not secure your spot - the transaction must be completed.
- I am so sorry we cannot fit in everyone who wants to take a class, but we are at maximum capacity for storage space for work in progress and volume of pieces we can keep up with getting through the kilns.
- Use the below links to read about the fall class schedule and all the details about classes so that you are prepared when registration opens. Please note: Attendance is mandatory for the first 2 classes 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.
5-Week Classes - still available
Kids Clay for ages 6-11 - Thursdays, 5 weeks
$105.00
Thursdays 10/20-11/17, 1:15-2:45 PM with Sara Young. During this 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.
Throwing Next Level, Friday nights – Lids, 5 Weeks
$185.00
Fridays 10/21-11/18, 6:00-8:30 PM with Jeremy Noet. This is a 5 week skill focused class for those wanting to refine their existing throwing skills. 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. Jeremy will demonstrate and coach you through how to make lidded forms like jars and casseroles.
Weekend Workshops
You do not have to be a current student or member at Burnish to register for these workshops, although they are for people who are already working with clay.
These are not "try it out" classes for people wanting to experience playing with clay for the 1st time.
These are not "try it out" classes for people wanting to experience playing with clay for the 1st time.
Skill Drill: Sgraffito, Carving, and Inlay
$50.00
Sold out
Saturday 11/12, 1-4 pm with Jordan Jones. Jordan will show a detailed demonstration of her surface decorating techniques and then coach participants through trying them out on their own leather hard pieces. Jordan works with a primary focus on developing surfaces for soda firing, but the techniques are applicable for all types of firings.
Advanced Skills: Thrown & Altered with Brian Chen
$130.00
Sold out
Saturday & Sunday 10/29 & 10/30 1-5:00 PM with Brian Chen. In this hands-on workshop we will learn and discuss how to use the wheel as a tool to do more than just throw and trim. I will teach how I throw and trim off the hump, rough out shapes as a starting point for sculpture, and stress the importance of being nitpicky about the details of surface treatment; all while sitting at the wheel. This workshop will give you a window into how I think about my work and should be helpful for those that want to challenge themselves, slow down, and make room for productive self critique.
Current Classes
These classes are sold out, but I am leaving them on the site for you to be able to review to get a sense of how our classes are typically structured.
Kids Clay for ages 6-11 - Thursdays, 5-weeks
$105.00
Sold out
Thursdays 9/15-10/13, 1:15-2:45 PM with Sara Young. During this 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.
Wheel Throwing for Kids ages 11-15 - Sundays, 10 weeks
$245.00
Sold out
Sundays 9/18-11/20, 11:00 - 12:30 PM with Sara Young. During this 10 week class, 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.
- 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.
Hand Building - Monday Afternoons, 10 weeks
$365.00
Sold out
Mondays 9/12-11/14, 12:30-3:00 PM, 10 weeks with Hilde Schaaf. 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. All experience levels welcome, including no experience at all.
All Level Throwing - Monday Evenings, 10 weeks
$365.00
Sold out
Mondays 9/12-11/14, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM with Finley Rick. 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. All experience levels welcome, including no experience at all. Bring your own project ideas or follow along with a guided project led by Finley.
All Level Throwing - Tuesday Mornings, 10 weeks
$365.00
Sold out
Tuesdays 9/13-11/15, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM with Sara Young. 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. All experience levels welcome, including no experience at all. Bring your own project ideas or follow along with a guided project led by Sara.
All Level Throwing - Wednesday Evenings, 10 weeks
$365.00
Sold out
Wednesdays 9/14-11/16, 6:00-8:30 PM with Kacie. 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. All experience levels welcome, including no experience at all. Bring your own project ideas or follow along with a guided project led by Kacie.
Sculpture - Thursday evenings, 10 weeks
$365.00
Sold out
Thursdays 9/15-11/17, 6:00-8:30 PM with Sara Young. Over the 10-week class, 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. All experience levels welcome, including no experience at all. Please bring a sketchbook to use of any size to class.
Throwing Next Level, Friday Nights – Bowls, 5 weeks
$185.00
Sold out
Fridays 9/16-10/14, 6:00-8:30 PM with Jeremy Noet. This is a 5 week skill focused class for those wanting to refine their existing throwing skills. 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. Jeremy will demonstrate and coach you through how to effectively and efficiently make a range of bowls.
All Level Throwing - Saturday Mornings, 10 weeks
$365.00
Sold out
Saturdays 9/17-11/19, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM with Sara Young. 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. All experience levels welcome, including no experience at all. Bring your own project ideas or follow along with a guided project led by Sara.