6-Week Program:
Introduction to Clay and Wheel-Throwing

This comprehensive six-week program introduces new pottery students to the basics in clay. Through one-on-one private instruction, the each student can expect to lay a foundation for personal development of fundamental skills in clay. The course will cover proper clay preparation, wheel throwing, trimming, and glaze application. The course outlined below should be considered a guideline for the six weeks. Upon class orientation, the course syllabus will be tailored to fulfill the student’s individual desires. Each student will fully complete between 7 and 10 unique handmade pieces and gain a firm understanding of the fundamentals of the ceramic process.



Basic Schedule

Week One: Orientation, studio tour, introductions, preparing clay to throw, introduction to the wheel, throwing, and tools 

Week Two: Discussion of optional reading material, wedging, further in depth wheel throwing instruction 

Week Three: Discussion of optional reading material, introduction to trimming & finessing forms 

Week Four: Greater-depth wheel throwing instruction 

Week Five: Trimming and finessing forms, handling & altering pieces, preparation for bisque firing 

Week Six: Introduction to glazing




To Come Prepared 

  • You’re playing in the mud! Dress for the occasion.

  • Arrive 5-10 minutes early and allow time to clean up your workspace at the end of the lesson.

  • Optional items to bring: Apron, hand towel, hair rubberband (for those with long hair)

  • It may take 4-8 weeks for work to be fired.




Pricing

$680, includes a $130 deposit for materials


Included 

  • 6-week course, 90 minute classes 

  • One-on-one private instruction 

  • Up to 30 lbs of clay 

  • Reading Material TBD based on the needs of each student 

  • Basic pottery tools 

  • Dust mask 

  • Access to studio equipment during class time 

  • Glaze materials and tools 

  • Bisque and glaze firings 

  • 7–10 completed handmade pieces

Policies 

Application and Registration 
Each student is required to apply. A response will be sent within 3-5 business days. Upon acceptance, a deposit and a signed waiver will reserve a spot in the class.  

Payment
Cash, checks (made payable to Katherine Hanks Studio), and any major credit card are accepted. A $130 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required upon acceptance into the course and the tuition is due by the start date of the program. 

Cancellation
Notification of cancellation will be made by phone at least 72 hours prior to the start of the class, at which time students will be offered the option of rescheduling a class within the 6-week timeframe. Students are allowed one make-up day per 6-week session. 

Refunds
No refunds or credits of any payment will be granted.

Acceptance
Students must be at least 14 years old to participate in this course and all applicants will be required to sign a waiver.

Please Note
Safely moving work through the entire ceramic process is of utmost priority so that students are able to take home their creations. That said, accidents happen and are often unavoidable. Katherine Hanks Studio is not responsible for damaged or broken pieces due to drying, firing, or other process-related mishaps.