Beginning Wheel Throwing

Beginner Pottery: Foundations on the Wheel

Location: Ceramics Studio at the Bigfork Art & Cultural Center (BACC). $225 is membership price. $300 is non-membership price.

Duration: 2 Weeks (4 Classes Total — meeting twice per week)

Unwind, get your hands messy, and discover the magic of turning raw clay into functional art! Designed specifically for absolute beginners, this fast-paced, two-week intensive course introduces you to the rewarding world of wheel throwing in a supportive, community environment.

What You Will Learn

• Handling Clay: Master the prep work, including wedging to remove air bubbles and prepping your clay for success.
• Centering with Confidence: Find your rhythm on the wheel and learn the foundational physical techniques to get your clay perfectly centered.
• Building & Shaping: Progress from basic cylinders to functional bowls and cups. Learn how to pull walls, control height, and shape your forms.
• Simple Intro Glazing: Dedicate the final session to learning easy surface decoration and basic brush-on glazing techniques to bring your pieces to life.

What is Included

• 4 expert, step-by-step instructional sessions over 2 weeks
• Access to Open Studio hours between classes to practice muscle memory
• 10 lbs of high-quality studio clay
• All necessary brush-on glazes, slips, and studio toolkits
• Bisque and glaze firings for your finished pieces

What to bring: Please wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting muddy, trim your fingernails before the first day. Space is limited to ensure plenty of individual wheel time—reserve your spot today!