Beginning Wheel
Adult Course | Registration opens 3/5/2025 7:00 AM MST
***Clay is included with this class, please do not purchase clay ahead of time.***
Whether you're stepping up to the potter’s wheel for the first time or are honing your skills with clay, this course is designed to build strong fundamentals for your journey with ceramics. This introductory class focuses on learning basic wheel throwing techniques while familiarizing yourself with ASLD ceramics studio policies and practices.The first few sessions will focus on building a solid framework of skills including pinch pots, centering, making cylinders and trimming. In the final weeks, you will learn to glaze your work and continue practicing throwing to assist you in getting the feel of clay and the wheel. The goal of this class is to provide you with the fundamentals to make a successful transition into your next wheel class.
- Students will learn essential skills such as centering, opening, pulling walls, crafting cylinders, and trimming. As the course progresses, students will practice shaping forms, creating and attaching handles, glazing pieces, and refining their throwing technique. By the end of the course, students will have established a strong foundation in wheel throwing.
Each class includes a standard weekly lab fee which covers the cost of firing and glazing. This class has an additional clay, fee, the clay used during class may only be used in class. If you would like to attend open studio, students must purchase clay through the registration office at ASLD adn must be done in person. $20 for 25lbs of stoneware, $25 for 25lbs of porcelain, $10 for 12lbs of our Reclaimed clay. Please only purchase clay from ASLD, unless approved by the studio manager. No low-fire clays may be used at ASLD.
Currently enrolled students have access to Ceramic open studio for a $10 fee. Please see the whiteboard in the hallway for updated open studio hours.
Please review the ceramics studio policies before attending the first class: CERAMICS STUDIO POLICIES
Community tools are available for student use, in exception of a small sponge. If you prefer personal tools, a basic ceramics tool kit, small sponges and large clean up sponges may be available for purchase at ASLD on a first come, first served basis. We welcome you to bring any new, used, found and repurposed tools you may have.
- Please bring to class:
- -Your favorite tools
- Optional
- -Apron
-Towel
-Clean up sponge
- If you purchase your own tools, we suggest you assemble a basic tool kit that includes:
- - Potter's rib (wood and or rubber)
- Metal rib
- Wood modeling tool
- Needle tool
- Trimming tool(s)
- Throwing sponge
- Local Ceramic supply stores:
- Rocky Mountain Clay 1220 W 1st Ave, Denver, CO 80223
- Continental Clay 5303 East 47th Ave., Denver, CO 80216
Stoneleaf Pottery 6611 W 58th Pl, Arvada, CO 80003
Meiningers 499 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Nellie Stagg
Nellie has always been a maker - creating across many disciplines including ceramics, printmaking, felting, embroidery, and sculpture. Throughout her creations, Nellie’s keen design eye and playful spirit shine through.
In ceramics, Nellie focuses on crafting functional pieces that bring joy to everyday use. Nellie’s creativity and full range of making techniques is evident in her ceramic works. She particularly enjoys experimenting with the creative possibilities of the raku firing process.
As an educator, Nellie strikes a balance between providing supportive instruction and fostering independent exploration among her students. Nellie cultivates an encouraging learning environment where students can freely experiment with new techniques and develop their own personal style. Nellie is believed to have created the world’s first ceramic hot dog menorah.