The Great Holiday Throw Down
Adult Course | Registration opens 11/5/2025 10:00 AM MDT
Ready, set, throw! Channel your inner champion potter in this cozy and spirited holiday-themed workshop. Each week features surprise “throw down” challenges, like blindfold throwing, off-the-hump forms, and speed rounds, that stretch your creativity and sharpen your wheel skills.
Alongside the weekly challenges, you’ll also create a personal holiday heirloom showstopper - a meaningful piece to keep or gift, developed throughout the session.
While small prizes will be awarded to our Potters of the Week, the heart of this class lies in camaraderie, experimentation, and a shared love of the craft - not cutthroat competition. Just like the cozy British shows we all love, this class celebrates encouragement, growth, and a shared love of getting muddy.
This workshop is designed for students with prior wheel-throwing experience (such as having taken a beginning class at ASLD). We will not be covering the basics of wheel throwing, so a foundation in ceramics is essential.
The cost of clay is included with the class.
Clay:
Each class includes a materials fee which covers the cost of firing and glazing. Additionally, this class has a fee which includes all clay that students will use during class time. If students want to participate in ceramic open studios, they will need to purchase their own bag of clay from the registration office on the 1st floor. 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.