Clay Adult Classes
Groundworks offers wheel throwing, hand-building, and a variety of firing techniques to suit every style. Most of our programming is cone 6 reduction gas fired, with options for electric oxidation and wood firing to achieve different finishes and results. Our studios welcome students of all ages and abilities, with flexible class formats including adaptive classes designed to meet you where you are.
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Session 6 Registration
All classes will be available for registration Monday, September 21 at 8:00am.
You can view specific class information and descriptions by following the class link in the drop down menus. You can also view the entire Session 6 Catalog here.
Please review our standard refund policy before registering.
We offer scholarships!
You can apply and receive up to two scholarships annually for 50% off the cost of a class. Pay What You Can classes do not qualify (but you can save even more by signing up for one). Scholarship applications will close one week prior to registration opening.
Please fill out a scholarship application.
Membership Studio
Are you beyond needing instruction and are an independent potter looking for space to do your own work? We offer memberships for independent artists looking for space to do their work!
Please check out our Membership Studio page for more information about what we have to offer.
Multi-Studio Crossover Classes
Holiday Decorations in Clay, Wood, Glass & Metal
Ready to deck your halls? Groundworks has you covered! We're offering a brand new multi-studio crossover class that will help you get your holiday cheer on by hand-crafting some holiday objects to bring the joy of the season to your home.
Over the course of eight weeks, you will spend time in four of our studios: Clay, Wood, Glass, and Metal making a series of seasonal objects and learning a whole bunch of fun and approachable techniques in each of those art forms. In Clay, you'll spend two days learning hand-building and glazing; in Wood, you'll learn to make things on the bandsaw and lathe; followed by two days in Glass learning about fusing and flamework. We will finish up with two days in the Metal Studio where we will do some welding and a little bit of blacksmithing. Ho ho holy cow that's a lot of fun!
Thursdays 6:00-9:00pm
Dates: October 22 - December 17 (No class November 26)
Instructor: Chris Westbrook
Location: Main (3750 Canfield Street)
Ages: 16+
Cost: $500 (includes all tools and materials)
Wheel-Throwing Classes
5-Week Sampler Classes
Totally new to pottery? We‘ll provide all the clay and tools and teach you the basic techniques. You'll leave with a few finished pieces and a familiarity with the potter's studio. Great for first-time students.
Wheel Samplers will focus strictly on wheel-throwing techniques. Studio Samplers
will cover wheel and hand-building techniques.
Sampler classes DO NOT include open lab.
Wheel Sampler • Wednesdays • September 30 - October 28 • 9:00-11:00am • Pay What You Can • Main
Wheel Sampler • Saturdays • October 3 - October 31 • 9:00-11:00am • Pay What You Can • Hill
Wheel Sampler • Sundays • October 4 - November 1 • 9:30-11:30am • Pay What You Can • Main
Wheel Sampler • Wednesdays • November 4 - December 9 • 9:00-11:00am • Pay What You Can • Hill
Wheel Sampler • Saturdays • November 7 - December 12 • 9:00-11:00am • Pay What You Can • Hill
Wheel Sampler • Sundays • November 8 - December 13 • 9:30-11:30am • Pay What You Can • Main
Studio Sampler • Thursdays • October 1 - October 29 • 4:30-6:30pm • Pay What You Can • Main
Studio Sampler • Sundays • October 4 - November 1 • 5:00-7:00pm • Pay What You Can • Hill
Studio Sampler • Thursdays • November 5 - December 10 • 4:30-6:30pm • Pay What You Can • Main
Studio Sampler • Sundays • November 8 - December 13 • 5:00-7:00pm • Pay What You Can • Hill
8-Week Level I Classes
This class will cover the basic “how tos” of pottery. Students will learn the foundations of throwing, including how to confidently center, pull, and trim pots on the wheel. The class will also cover basic glazing techniques, attaching handles, and how to track your pieces through the studio.
Level I Classes at HILL and MAIN include open lab.
Level I Wheel • Mondays • October 19 - December 14 • 9:30-11:45am • Pay What You Can • Hill
Level I Wheel • Mondays • October 19 - December 14 • 6:30-8:45pm • $290 • Main
Level I Wheel • Tuesdays • October 20 - December 15 • 5:00-7:15pm • $290 • Hill
Level I Wheel • Tuesdays • October 20 - December 15 • 6:00-9:30pm • Pay What You Can • East
Level I Wheel • Wednesdays • October 21 - December 16 • 9:00am-12:30pm • $270 • East
Level I Wheel • Wednesdays • October 21 - December 16 • 5:00-7:15pm • $290 • Main
Level I Wheel • Thursdays • October 22 - December 17 • 9:30-11:45am • $290 • Main
Level I Wheel • Fridays • October 23 - December 18 • 6:30-8:45pm • Pay What You Can • Hill
Level I Wheel • Saturdays • October 24 - December 19 • 9:00-11:15am • $290 • Main
Level I Wheel • Sundays • October 25 - December 20 • 5:30-7:45pm • Pay What You Can • Main
8-Week Level II Classes
These classes go beyond the basics. Students will learn how to make more complex forms and techniques including: altered forms, lidded jars, and throwing off-the-hump, have more consistency and make sets, and how to apply decorating techniques like waxes and sgraffito.
Level II students should be able to comfortably center clay and throw a cylinder.
Level II Classes at HILL and MAIN include open lab.
Level II Wheel • Tuesdays • October 20 - December 15 • 8:30-11:00am • $300 • Hill
Level II Wheel • Wednesdays • October 21 - December 16 • 7:00-9:30pm • $300 • Hill
Level II Wheel • Thursdays • October 22 - December 17 • 6:00-9:30pm • $280 • East
Level II Wheel • Sundays • October 25 - December 20 • 9:00-11:30am • $300 • Hill
8-Week Level III Classes
These classes are focused toward intermediate/advanced students that want to learn more technical skills and studio processes. These classes will show more advanced techniques, such as how to make larger and more complicated pieces. You will learn more about materials and different processes. Students with individual learning goals or special projects are welcome to join this class.
Level III students should be able comfortably center clay and make many different forms.
Level III classes at HILL and MAIN include open lab.
Hand-Building Classes
4-Week, All Levels Sculptural Hand-Building
These 4-week classes are a great way to try out the hand-building studio. Through a variety of themed or free-form projects, students will learn the basics of pinching, coiling, and slab building. These classes change every session so don’t miss out!
These classes DO NOT include open lab.
5-Week Hand-Building Sampler
Always wanted to try hand-building, but didn't know where to start? This class is intended to get you familiar with the basics of hand-building. Students will learn techniques like pinching, coiling, and building with slabs. This class is ideal for those who have limited experience, but are looking to learn more with a short instructor demo and hands-on assistance each week.
These classes DO NOT include open lab.
8-Week Level I Hand-Building
Level I Hand-building for students wanting to explore the basic techniques for hand-building functional, sculptural, or decorative pieces.
Learn about the various hand-building tools, and the three basic hand-building techniques: pinching, coiling, and slab rolling through a series of self-guided projects.
8-Week Level II Hand-Building
For more intermediate to advanced students who want to focus on taking their hand-building techniques to the next level.
Learn about the various hand-building tools, create functional and sculptural pieces, and work on a variety of decoration practices.
Adaptive Clay Classes
Adaptive Clay
This class is offered exclusively to adults with acquired or life-long developmental, physical, or intellectual disabilities.
Our instructors and assistants facilitate creation of projects in clay, in a calm and supportive environment with access to adaptable wheels and tools. Students can choose to try wheel-throwing and/or hand-building. This class provides an intimate social environment, class limit is 10 students with 1 instructor and multiple assistants. Caregivers are welcome.
Mondays 9:30am - 12:00pm
Dates: October 19 - December 14 (No class November 23)
Instructor: Amelia Dickerson
Location: Main (3750 Canfield Street)
Ages: 16+
Cost: Pay What You Can
Class will be available for registration September 21 at 8:00am
Sensory-Friendly Clay
This class is designed specifically for individuals who benefit from a sensory-friendly studio environment.
It features lower lighting, a smaller class size, and a quieter atmosphere with minimal conversation and gentle instruction. Our instructor and assistant support students in creating clay projects in a calm and welcoming space. The class is limited to 8 participants and includes access to 3 pottery wheels as well as hand-building areas.
Tuesdays 12:00-2:30pm
Dates: October 20 - December 15 (No class November 24)
Instructor: Sam Watkins
Location: East (3063 Sterling Circle)
Ages: 16+
Cost: Pay What You Can
Class will be available for registration September 21 at 8:00am
Friday Afternoon Club (FAC)
This class is offered exclusively to folks living with acquired/traumatic brain injuries (ABI).
Our instructors and assistants facilitate creation of projects in clay, in a calm and supportive environment. We’ll explore hand-building and wheel-throwing, working with each individual to determine appropriate projects and methods. This class provides an intimate social environment (class limit is 10 students, with 1 instructor and 2 assistants), while sharpening motor skills and visual perception, improving focus, mental flexibility, perseverance, and creativity.
Fridays 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Dates: October 23 - December 18 (No class on N
Instructor: Sara Hailey
Location: Hill (1010 Aurora Avenue)
Ages: 16+
Cost: Pay What You Can
Class will be available for registration July 27 at 8:00am
To register for any of these Adaptive Clay Classes, please reach out to Sara Hailey, to make sure the class will fit your needs.