Beginning Wheel

Beginning Wheel

Adult Course | Registration opens 8/6/2025 10:00 AM MDT

200 Grant St Denver, CO 80203 United States
B-10
Beginner
10/20/2025-11/24/2025
6:00 PM-9:00 PM MDT on Mon
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$414.50
$364.55

Beginning Wheel

Adult Course | Registration opens 8/6/2025 10:00 AM MDT

Whether you're new to the potter’s wheel or returning to strengthen your skills, this course is designed to provide a solid foundation in wheel throwing techniques while introducing students to the ceramics studio environment and community at ASLD.

Over the course of the session, students will learn the essential steps of creating pottery on the wheel—from wedging and centering clay to pulling walls and trimming forms. Each week builds on the last, with demonstrations and hands-on time that support the development of key techniques and creative exploration.

By the end of the course, students will have gained confidence in wheel throwing, created a collection of finished pieces, and explored their individual style through surface design and form.

Weekly Overview:
Week 1: Course and studio introduction, overview of safety and studio policies, demos on wedging, centering, and basic throwing.

Week 2: Refresher demo on throwing; introduction to trimming and carving personal stamps.

Week 3: Trimming skills revisited; demo on creating and attaching handles.

Week 4: Intro to glazing and decorative techniques including shaping with ribs, using slips and sgraffito, burnishing, and pressing letterforms into clay.

Week 5: Demos of student-requested forms like plates, planters, or lidded vessels.

Week 6: Raku glaze demo and a refresher on glazing techniques.

Week 7: Final studio session for wrapping up work and participating in a raku firing event.


  • Clay is included with this class, please do not purchase clay ahead of time. 

  • Clay:

    Each class includes a materials fee which covers the cost of firing and glazing. In addition to this fee, students will need to purchase clay through the Registration Office at ASLD, which must be done in person. Clay costs are $20 for 25lbs of stoneware, $25 for 25lbs of porcelain.  Please only purchase clay from ASLD, unless approved by the studio manager.  No low-fire clays may be used at ASLD.

     

    Tools:

    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 are available for purchase at the Registration Office.

     

    Other supplies:

    Students are encouraged to wear clothes that can get dirty to ceramics class, including close-toed shoes. We also recommend bringing an apron and a towel.


    Please review the ceramics studio policies before attending the first class: CERAMICS STUDIO POLICIES



  • 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.