six week wheel throwing classes

General Info & Class Structure

Whether you are an experienced ceramicist or have never touched clay before, this is your opportunity to get some invaluable time on the pottery wheel! We have six-week classes open to all skill levels. This will be a small group of nine students, so you can expect individual attention during each session so that you can hone your skills no matter your skill level.

Each class will begin with a demonstration of a different wheel throwing technique. Over the course of six weeks, we will cover the basics of wheel throwing, trimming, surface decoration, and glazing. More advanced wheel throwing techniques will be covered by request. There will be time each week for wheel throwing demonstration requests, so if you are interested in learning how to make something specific feel free to request a demo of how to make it.

Everyone is encouraged to bring ideas of personal projects to pursue, but your instructor will demonstrate different pieces that can be made on the wheel if you need some inspiration! You will learn a new technique each class but it will be your choice to incorporate it into the pieces you make. Each student will have the freedom to make whatever they want during their class time. Each class will consist of a roughly 20 minute demo followed by two and a half hours of open format, guided working time on the wheel.

Starting January of 2025, six week classes will now include eight hours of open studio time during the course of your class. Mastering wheel throwing is all about repetition and practice! This open studio time can be used on any day we are open to practice on the wheel or spend some extra time working on your pieces outside of class.

when

Monday Evenings 6-9pm with Lyla (Beginner)

(Mondays 1/6, 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/17)

Tuesday Mornings 10am-1pm with Kearin (Beginner)

Tuesday Evenings 6-9pm with Sabine (Intermediate)

(Tuesdays 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/18)

Wednesday Evenings 6-9pm with Jerzy (Beginner)

Wednesdays 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/19)

Thursday Evenings 6-9pm with Sabine (Beginner)

Thursdays 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/20)

Saturday Afternoons 12-3pm with Lyla (Beginner)

Saturdays 1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/22)

Classes will all have a two week period in between the 5th and 6th session to allow for firing time.

Location

Class will take place in our studio located within Asch Building at 825 Studewood St, Houston TX.

Pricing

This class is $495 total for six class sessions and an additional eight hours of independent studio time. This class will also be longer than our private lessons at three hours, so everyone will have plenty of practice time on the wheel! This will be a small group of 9 students, so you can still expect individual attention and guidance during each session. This price also includes all materials, clay, glazes, tools, and firing. You just need to bring your willingness to learn!

Classes must be paid for in full in advance to reserve your spot.

instructor

The January-February sessions will be taught by Lyla, Kearin, and our newest instructors, Sabine and Jerzy. Scroll down to learn a bit more about them!

materials

All materials are included in the price of this class. We provide four different types of clay (white stoneware, brown stoneware, speckled stoneware or porcelain), all the tools you might need, and 37 different glaze colors. Feel free to bring your own tools if you want something specific. If you are interested in bringing your own clay or glaze feel free to discuss with your instructor.

rescheduling/cancellation

We will not be able to accommodate makeup classes if you are unable to attend one of the six times this class is offered. Please confirm that you are able to attend each week before signing up- missed classes will not be refunded.

Experience

In our beginner level classes we will cover all of the basics you need to get started making on the wheel- whether you have minimal experience or have never touched clay before!

Our intermediate level classes have a few more requirements. Having taken classes at our studio specifically is not necessary, but some wheel throwing experience is required. Students should have a basic knowledge of wedging, centering, and be familiar with the basic steps of making a vessel on the wheel. Proficiency at wheel throwing is not expected- We will work on getting you there during the six weeks!

  • Lyla

    Lyla started taking college ceramics courses in 2011 in her hometown of San Bernardino, California. She moved to Houston in 2022 with her husband Jason. She has been teaching wheel throwing classes at Four Circle Studio since the Summer of 2022.

  • Jerzy

    Jerzy immigrated to the U.S. from Poland at the age of thirteen, and went on to graduate from UT San Antonio with his B.F.A in Ceramics. He specialized in wheel throwing and sculptural work, in addition to glaze chemistry and alternative firing methods such as wood firing, raku, and pit firing.

  • Kearin

    Kearin began studying ceramics at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York in 2016. She moved back to her hometown of Houston in 2020 and opened Four Circle Studio for classes in the Summer of 2021.

  • Sabine

    Sabine has been practicing ceramics since 2007, as well as teaching wheel throwing lessons around the Houston area for several years. She has been very involved with the ceramics program at the Glassell School of Art, working there as a studio technician and taking classes since 2014.

Our next six week classes will be open for signups on Wednesday, December 4th at 10am.