hands working on a ceramic piece on a pottery wheel

ceramic pottery setting atop a pottery wheel

woman sitting at pottery wheel throwing ceramic pottery

Ceramics | 4-Week Ceramic Wheel Throwing | Saturdays

Learn to throw ceramics on a wheel!

Saturdays from 10am – 1pm, with the last class of the series from 10am – 1:30pm
Select a session from the drop-down menu.

In this 4-week course, 3-hour per class series (each class is longer than our 5-week series), you’ll build a strong foundation in working with clay on the pottery wheel. Instructor Shachi Shah will teach you how to prepare clay, center it on the wheel, and create forms like cylinders, bowls, and mugs. You’ll also be introduced to trimming techniques and adding surface details like handles and texture. After a break to allow your work to be bisque fired, you’ll return for the final session to glaze and complete the cycle from raw clay to finished ceramic.

This is a slow-paced, supportive class where exploration and experimentation are encouraged. Whether you’re brand new to clay or returning after a break, you’ll be guided at your own rhythm — with plenty of space to ask questions, make mistakes, and grow your confidence on the wheel.

Weekly Schedule:

Week 1: Centering & Cylinders – Learn how to center clay on the wheel and pull your first cylinder.
Week 2: Bowls & more cylinders – Explore bowl forms and practice cylinders & learn to trim your work to refine shape and form a clean foot.
Week 3: Trim, add handles & Surface Decoration – Add handles and explore decoration techniques.
Break Week: No class – Student work will be bisque fired.
Week 4: Glazing – Learn glazing methods and finish your ceramic pieces.

Projects will be ready to pick up 3-4 weeks after the last class.

Beginners welcome. Ages 16+ years

We recommend that each student bring an apron to wear and an older towel or a cloth rag.

• Military, first responders and sibling discounts: Email us for more information.
• Scholarships available: Click here for an application.
• Homeschool funds accepted: Click here for enrollment details.
• If this class is full, join the Interest List to be notified.
• If you would like to be notified of future offerings, join the Interest List to be notified when new dates or spaces are available.

Category: Past Classes Tags: ceramic, ceramics, clay, hand building, handmade, pop-up, pottery

Description
Reviews (0)

Description

Ceramics | 4-Week Ceramic Wheel Throwing | Saturdays
Saturdays from 10am – 1pm, with the last class of the series from 10am – 1:30pm
Select a session from the drop-down menu.

San Diego Craft Collective, 2590 Truxtun Rd., Studio 106, SD 92106 • 619.273.3235 • make@sandiegocraft.org

This course is held indoors, so we suggest:
• Dress in layers and bring a jacket so you can adjust to the studio temperature.
• Bring water/beverage.
• Wear closed-toe shoes. Dropping tools on feet really hurts!
• Bring an apron + wear comfortable clothes that can get messy. You may also buy an apron from our studio.

DIRECTIONS: Located in Liberty Station’s Arts District, you can find our studio at the end of the hallway on the 1st floor of the Dorothea Laub Music & Arts Center (Bldg 176) at the corner of Roosevelt & Truxtun, next to The Lot movie theater. There is plenty of free parking. Parking Lot Q is behind our studio — enter via the driveway off Dewey. Across the street in the Vons parking lot, it is also free. If you can’t find us, call or text 619.273.3235.

CLASS SIZE: 3 min. If the minimum is not met, you will receive a full refund or credit toward another class.

REFUNDS: No refunds for tardiness or no-shows. For a refund (minus a 5% processing fee), you must cancel 7 days before the start of the class. After 7 days, we cannot offer refunds, as materials and supplies have already been purchased.

TRANSFERS: You may transfer your enrollment spot to someone else, but transfers must happen before the workshop begins. Please email us to let us know who’s coming.

INTEREST LIST: If a class is full or you would like to be notified of future offerings, join our Interest List to be notified when new dates or spaces are available.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:

I’m Shachi Shah, a ceramic artist originally from India. My journey with clay began 5 years ago, and it’s been a constant exploration ever since. My practice spans hand-building, wheel-throwing, and wood-firing, with a deep love for earthy textures and organic forms. I studied ceramics for 2 years in Pondicherry, a quiet town on India’s east coast, and completed a 6-month internship in Bali, Indonesia, both of which have had a lasting impact on my work. Being close to the ocean and coastlines has always felt like a grounding force, shaping the way I approach clay. I’ve had the privilege of teaching ceramics for 4 years and am passionate about helping others find their own connection to clay. For me, ceramics is a mix of heritage and modern exploration — it’s about finding balance between tradition and new forms, all while staying connected to nature and the world around me.