Questions or trouble signing up for this class? Email ceramics@tcmaker.org.
9 sessions across 3 summer months
Intermediate level
Prerequisite: Wheel Throwing 101 or equivalent experience
Summer is the perfect time to slow down, go deeper, and let your practice breathe. This three-part series is designed for makers who have the basics under their belt and are ready to push their forms further (without the pressure of a back-to-back weekly commitment).
Spread across three focused 3-week sessions with intentional breaks in between, this class gives you time to make, reflect, experiment on your own, and come back ready for the next challenge. Each module session builds on the last, so by the end of the summer you'll have a cohesive body of work and a noticeably expanded throwing vocabulary.
Session 1: Going Bigger We start by stretching your ambitions and your clay. Our focus will be on throwing larger, more complex forms: taller vessels, wider openings, closed vessels, and pieces that require more control, patience, and planning. Expect hands-on demos, individual feedback, and a honest look at where your technique wants to grow.
Session 2: Lidded Forms One of the most satisfying and technically demanding areas of wheel throwing, lidded forms ask you to think about fit, proportion, and function all at once. We'll explore different lid styles and how the relationship between vessel and lid defines the whole piece.
Session 3: Dinnerware & Beyond The final module takes on the dinner table — plates, bowls, and the forms that make a set feel intentional. We'll also explore what happens when the wheel is just the beginning: altering thrown forms off the wheel and integrating hand-building techniques to push your work into new territory. We'll close the summer with time dedicated to surface decoration and glazing, so your pieces feel as considered on the outside as they are on the inside.
The breaks between modules are part of the class. Use that time to keep making on your own, let pieces dry and get fired, and arrive at the next module with fresh eyes.
This class is for you if you've completed Wheel Throwing 101 or have equivalent studio experience and are ready to work with more intention and less hand-holding in the best possible way.
Instructor: Paola Evangelista is a ceramic artist and educator with 15 years of experience working across functional ware, sculptural installation, and everything in between. Her classes are a space to build real skill while asking bigger questions about what we make and why.
