Clay Adult Classes
Groundworks offers wheel throwing, handbuilding, 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 4 Registration
All classes will be available for registration May 26 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 4 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).
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.
5-Day Adult Summer Camps
Exploring Texture (Hand-building Camp)
Curious about adding texture to your work, but don't know where to begin? Join us for this texture focused adult camp. During the first part of the week, students will learn a variety of texturing techniques such as carving with different tools, additions (both with and without stamps/rollers), decorating with holes, and slip trailing. During the second half of the week, students will learn how to finish their pieces by bringing their textures alive. How do stains and underglaze play a part in highlighting texture? How does glaze selection impact the texture underneath? Pieces will be fired by the studio and ready for pick up a few weeks after the camp ends.
Monday-Friday 1:00-4:00pm
Dates: July 6 - July 10
Instructor: Greg Belfor
Location: Main (3750 Canfield St)
Cost: $300
Ages: 16+
Kitchen Creations (Clay/Wood)
Is your kitchen in need of a spruce up? Are you lacking some basic kitchen necessities? We've got you covered. In this 8-week class, students will make a variety of fully functional kitchen creations. The class will start with 4 weeks in the clay studio making crocks, spoonrests, and other useful gagets. The class will then switch to the wood studios where students will learn how to create spoons, spurtles, and spatulas to round out their set. Whether you're new to the studio or have been taking classes for years, everyone is welcome in this all levels class.
Tuesdays 6:00-8:30pm
Dates: June 23 - August 11
Instructor: Becky Bragg
Location: Main (3750 Canfield St)
Cost: $355
Ages: 16+
Crossover Clay Classes
A Tile of Two Studios (Clay/Metal)
Come make a wall piece to cherish for years to come! In this 8 week class we will spend the first part of the session bringing our tiles to life in the ceramic studio. For these terracotta tiles we will use a variety of decorative techniques including slip, inlay, wax resist, underglaze, and additive and subtractive techniques. In the later part of the session, students will move into the metal studio learning how to forge and weld their tile’s custom frame! By the end of the session, you’ll have a beautiful wall hanging to show off to all your friends!
Wednesdays 6:00-8:30pm
Dates: June 24 - August 12
Instructor: Jess Fagrell (Clay) and Sresht Rengesh (Metal)
Location: Main (3750 Canfield St)
Cost: $355
Ages: 16+
Kitchen Creations (Clay/Wood)
Is your kitchen in need of a spruce up? Are you lacking some basic kitchen necessities? We've got you covered. In this 8-week class, students will make a variety of fully functional kitchen creations. The class will start with 4 weeks in the clay studio making crocks, spoonrests, and other useful gagets. The class will then switch to the wood studios where students will learn how to create spoons, spurtles, and spatulas to round out their set. Whether you're new to the studio or have been taking classes for years, everyone is welcome in this all levels class.
Tuesdays 6:00-8:30pm
Dates: June 23 - August 11
Instructor: Becky Bragg
Location: Main (3750 Canfield St)
Cost: $355
Ages: 16+
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.
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 • April 27 - June 15 • 6:30-8:45pm • $255 • Main - Pro-rated 7-week Class
Level I Wheel • Wednesdays • April 29 - June 17 • 7:00-9:15pm • $290 • Hill
Level I Wheel • Wednesdays • April 29 - June 17 • 6:00-9:30pm • $270 • East
Level I Wheel • Wednesdays • April 29 - June 17 • 9:00-11:15am • $290 • Main
Level I Wheel • Wednesdays • April 29 - June 17 • 6:30-8:45pm • $290 • 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 • Mondays • April 27 - June 15 • 9:30am-12:00pm • $265 • Hill - Pro-rated 7-week class
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 a great intro to the studio in 5 short weeks!
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.
Sampler 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 students of all levels 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: April 27 - June 15
Instructor: Amelia Dickerson
Location: Main (3750 Canfield St)
Ages: 16+
Cost: Pay What You Can
Class will be available for registration March 30 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: April 28 - June 9
Instructor: Sam Watkins
Location: East (3063 Sterling Cir)
Ages: 16+
Cost: Pay What You Can
Class will be available for registration March 30 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: May 1 - June 19
Instructor: Sara Hailey
Location: Hill (1010 Aurora Ave)
Ages: 16+
Cost: Pay What You Can
Class will be available for registration March 30 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.