Strengthening Fundamentals of Wheel Throwing
Adult Course | Registration opens 2/5/2025 7:00 AM MST
This class is designed for students who have a solid foundation in basic wheel throwing techniques and are ready to refine their skills and explore more advanced pottery concepts. Building on the fundamentals of centering, creating cylinders, and trimming, this intermediate class will focus on improving control on the wheel. Students will learn to create more complex forms while also developing techniques for altering shapes and adding decorative elements.
Additional instruction will cover glazing techniques, surface design, and how to troubleshoot common challenges in wheel throwing. Through personalized guidance and ample practice time, students will work toward producing cohesive, finished pieces that demonstrate growth in their technical and artistic abilities.
This class is ideal for those who have completed the introductory wheel class and are eager to deepen their understanding of studio practices and their creative potential.
Each class includes a standard weekly lab fee which covers the cost of firing and glazing. In addition to the standard lab fee, students will need to purchase clay through the registration office at ASLD and must be done in person: $20 for 25lbs of stoneware, $25 for 25lbs of porcelain, $10 for 12lbs of our Studio made clay. Please only purchase clay from ASLD, unless approved by the studio manager. No low-fire clays may be used at ASLD.
New students, arrive 15-30 minutes early to your first class in order to allow time for the purchase of clay.
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 -Clean up sponge
Optional -Apron -Towel
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
Jack Heimerman
Jack Heimerman has a BFA in ceramics from Northern Arizona University, and has a background in atmospheric firing techniques like wood and sagger firing. He has exhibited his work nationally and internationally. He taught adult and children's wheel throwing at the Art League School in Alexandria, VA, before moving to Colorado a few years ago.
Jack's approach to teaching allows for independent growth and exploration while giving students hands on instruction to master the fundamentals of throwing. As the student becomes more proficient on the wheel, they are given greater creative license to follow their own personal style.