Learn, Play, & Connect
Kiki Clay Club is a no-pressure, inclusive haven where we prioritize play over perfection.
We do classes a little different here. They are included with your monthly membership, not an extra fee.
Once you are a member, you'll have access to make reservations in our studio app. Come to class every week, skip a week, switch between throwing and hand building, or spend time in the studio practicing. It's all up to you how your spend your club hours.
Our Member Pottery Classes
Beginner Hand-building
Ready to learn how to make things
Level 1 - Learn the basic studio operations, how to prepare clay, make a simple pinch pot and how use the slab rollers. Get hands on with wedging clay and making your first slabs. You'll then learn about compression and how to use molds with wet clay to bring creations to life. Goal is to make at least two pieces ready for bisque firing such as trinket trays, platters, plates, and bowls.
Level 2 - Advance your hand-builidng skills by learning how to work with leather hard clay and joining pieces together. You'll learn about drying your wet clay, explore templates for easy designs, and how to score and slip pieces together. Goal is to make at least one piece ready for bisque firing.
Level 3 - Enter the realm of coil building once you reach level 3. At this level we will teach you how to make coils by hand or by using an extruder. We then will use those coils to make a simple pot. Goal of level 3 is to be able to make consistent coils and form a basic pot.
Level 4 - Once you have a few pieces that have been bisque fired, we move onto decorating and glazing. This is the final step in learning the basics of how to clay. We will explain underglazes as well as dipping glazes versus brush on glazes. Then it's hands on time with wax resist to protect the bottom of your piece and you can decorate your pieces or just go right to a quick dip in your glaze of choice! Goal of level 4 is to be comfortable with glazing your bisqueware.
Beginner Hand-building Schedule (See Calendar Below for Nov)
Tuesday 6pm-8pm
Beginner Wheel Class
Learn the basics of throwing clay on the potters wheel. Instead of a forced progression through a four or six week class regardless if you are ready or not, we work with you based on your level. And as your skills improve, move yourself up to the next level. We will group you in class by level and provide guidance and challenges for each group.
Level 1 - Learn the basic studio operations, how to prepare clay, and use the wheel. Get hands on with centering, opening, widening and pulling your first cylinders. Goal of level 1 is to get comfortable centering and able to consistently create a 5" tall cylinder from 1lb of clay.
Level 2 - Once you've master the cylinder, we move you onto shaping. Learn how to create straight walls, how to belly out a piece and how to collar in. Goal of level 2 is to make a few pieces you can then dry to leather hard and trim in your next session.
Level 3 - Now you are really getting it and it's time to learn how to trim. Using a few pieces you created earlier and allowed to dry to leather hard, we'll show you how to trim your piece, create a foot ring, and how to add additional components like a handle to a mug or other artifacts with the score and slip method. Goal is to trim at least one piece and prepare it for bisque firing.
Level 4 - Once you have a few pieces that have been bisque fired, we move onto decorating and glazing. This is the final step in learning the basics of how to clay. We will explain underglazes as well as dipping glazes versus brush on glazes. Then it's hands on time with wax resist to protect the bottom of your piece and you can decorate your pieces or just go right to a quick dip in your glaze of choice! Goal of level 4 is to be comfortable with glazing your bisqueware.
Level 5 - Now we are cooking along and it's time to start challenging your skills. Now it's time to move along to some of the more advanced shapes and throwing bigger. Once you reach level 5 we will help you with going bigger and show you how to make a bottle, vases, bowls, platters and more.
Beginner Wheel Class Schedule
Monday 6p-8pm
Friday 12pm-2pm