Clay Modeling

Price: $95 per Class | Duration: 45 - 60 Minutes

Ignite your artistic flair with our hands-on pottery workshop, where you'll dive into practical, skill-building sessions led by seasoned potters. You'll engage in every stage of pottery creation, from molding clay to glazing and finishing your unique pieces. The workshop offers clear, step-by-step guidance and real-time feedback to help you master each technique. Whether you're new to pottery or aiming to perfect your craft, the "Pottery Mastery Workshop" provides the practical experience and insights needed to create exceptional, personalized ceramic art.

Taught by Smart Start Instructors

5 Unit Course

Develop essential techniques through hands-on exercises, shape pottery with different clay types in guided projects, and bring your ceramic designs to life with practical, real-world experience.

 5/5

Rated 4.8 by Families

Hybrid Learning Available

Classes are available in person and on zoom

Beginner to Advanced

Student can test into higher levels

Languages

Instructors available in English, Spanish & Chinese

Skills

Level Up Your Mind: Where Every Move Matters.

Hands-On Practice: This program focuses on practical pottery skills, offering direct, hands-on experience in clay preparation, wheel throwing, and hand-building. You’ll work on your own pottery pieces with clear, step-by-step instructions.

Flexible Approach: Suitable for all skill levels, this program provides personalized guidance. You’ll advance at your own pace, engaging in practical activities that build your pottery skills and confidence.

Interactive Crafting: The course includes practical workshops and real-time pottery-making sessions where you receive immediate, actionable feedback. Apply techniques directly to your projects, making the learning process both practical and effective.

curriculum

Note: All time durations are approximations and subject to change according to needs, availability and ability.

Unit 1

Introduction to Pottery

1-2 months

Clay Types and Preparation

Explore different types of clay and their practical uses.
Practice preparing and wedging clay through hands-on exercises.
Learn effective techniques for handling and storing clay during projects.

Basic Hand-Building Techniques

Create simple pots and shapes using pinch techniques in practical sessions.
Build structures with coiled clay, focusing on hands-on application.
Use slabs to construct objects and experiment with flat shapes.

Introduction to Wheel Throwing

Set up and operate the pottery wheel with step-by-step guidance.
Practice centering clay and forming basic shapes like cylinders and bowls.
Receive hands-on instruction to develop foundational wheel-throwing skills.

Unit 2

Advanced Throwing Techniques

1-2 months

Shaping and Trimming

Develop advanced shaping techniques for complex forms on the wheel.
Practice trimming and refining wheel-thrown pieces through practical exercises.
Add handles and features to your pieces with hands-on guidance.

Glazing Basics

Apply various glazing methods to your pottery through hands-on application.
Mix and prepare glazes with practical, real-world techniques.
Test glaze combinations and evaluate their effects on finished pieces.

Kiln Firing Processes

Learn to load and arrange pottery in the kiln through practical demonstrations.
Understand and apply firing schedules for both bisque and glaze firings.
Follow safety procedures for kiln operation and handling through real-world practice.

Unit 3

Surface Decoration Techniques

3-5 months

Texture and Patterns

Experiment with texturing techniques on your pottery pieces.
Use stamps and carving tools to add surface decorations through hands-on exercises.
Apply and refine patterns to enhance your designs in practical sessions.

Slip and Underglazes

Apply slip to create decorative effects with real-world examples.
Use underglazes for detailed color work, practicing application techniques.
Layer and blend colors through practical, hands-on experimentation.

Advanced Glazing Techniques

Explore advanced glaze application methods through guided practice.
Experiment with glaze effects like shino and raku in practical sessions.
Troubleshoot common glazing issues with real-world solutions.

Unit 4

Creating Functional Pottery

3-4 months

Designing Functional Forms

Design and create functional items such as mugs, bowls, and plates with practical exercises.
Add functional elements like handles and lids through hands-on projects.
Learn principles of functional pottery design with real-world applications.

Glazing for Functionality

Apply food-safe glazes to your functional pieces with hands-on techniques.
Understand durability factors and test your pottery for everyday use.
Ensure the usability and quality of functional pottery through practical testing.

Practical Applications

Create pottery sets (e.g., dinnerware or tea sets) through guided projects.
Personalize functional pieces with practical customization techniques.
Apply skills to make pottery suitable for daily use in practical exercises.

Unit 5

Practice and Maintenance

4-5 months

Studio Setup

Organize and set up your pottery studio efficiently with hands-on practice.
Manage and maintain tools and materials through real-world strategies.
Store clay, glazes, and other materials effectively during practical sessions.

Studio Safety

Follow safety procedures for working with clay and glazes with practical examples.
Ensure proper studio ventilation and safety conditions through hands-on exercises.
Maintain and troubleshoot studio equipment with real-world solutions.

Efficient Workflows

Develop efficient workflows for creating and finishing pottery through guided projects.
Use batch production techniques to produce multiple pieces effectively.
Organize and track multiple projects in practical, real-world scenarios.

"Joining the Pottery Mastery Workshop was an incredible experience. The hands-on approach made learning new techniques easy and enjoyable. I loved the practical exercises, from preparing clay to glazing and firing. The step-by-step guidance helped me create my own pottery pieces confidently. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, this workshop provides all the tools and support you need to succeed in pottery."

Jackson G, Workshop Participant

Smart Start Student Graduate

Frequently Asked Questions

Most frequent questions and answers

What will I learn in this program?

In this workshop, you’ll learn essential pottery techniques such as hand-building, wheel-throwing, glazing, and firing. For beginners, we focus on basic skills like clay preparation and simple forms. Advanced learners will dive into more complex techniques such as intricate shaping, advanced glazing, and creating functional pottery.

Do I need any prior experience to join?

No prior experience is required for beginners. We start with the basics and guide you through each step. Advanced learners will benefit from the program by refining their skills and exploring advanced techniques.

How can I enroll for the Potter's Touch Mastery workshop Program?

You can enroll by visiting our website smartstartcenters and following the registration instructions. Early registration is recommended to secure your spot.

How is the workshop structured?

The workshop is divided into practical units covering topics like clay types, hand-building, wheel-throwing, and surface decoration. Each unit includes hands-on exercises, real-time feedback, and project-based learning to ensure practical application of skills.

How will my skills be evaluated?

Your skills will be evaluated through practical exercises and projects. You’ll receive ongoing feedback from instructors to help you improve and achieve your goals. For advanced learners, there will be opportunities to showcase and refine your work in more complex projects.

Will there be opportunities for further learning after the workshop?

Yes, we offer additional resources and advanced workshops for continued learning. You’ll also have access to our community of potters for ongoing support and development.