Intermediate Wheel-Throwing at Bitter Root Pottery - Hayden

Class topics change weekly for Intermediate Wheel and may not always be throwing. Bitter Root Pottery members can check the member-only calendar for updates.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a beginner, this class is not recommended for you…

** Regardless if you took one or two beginner classes already - If you are a beginner, and cannot get through the steps of throwing without step-by-step instruction or have only done pottery for a few weeks, please take our Beginner Classes or book a 1-on-1 Private lesson to gauge your skills better before joining Intermediate. **

Intermediate Wheel moves at a much quicker pace with more intensive instruction and vocabulary. It is not intended to help students learn how to center or throw a pot step-by-step. Students should be able to center and pull evenly 3 pounds of clay with relative ease without step-by-step instruction by an instructor. Intermediate Wheel goes beyond throwing fundamentals, investigating more challenging forms and glazing techniques. See more info in “What is Included/What to Expect.”

Intermediate Wheel Throwing
Every Thursday at 7pm-9pm

Non-members/One-Time students: $95 gratuity included (purchase ticket below and contact us about what the class topic will be)
HAYDEN TRACT BRP Members: Free of Charge (email us or talk to staff to put your name on the list)

April class schedule:

4/2 cake stands

4/9 sake bottles & cups

4/16 cookie jar

4/23 low wide pasta bowls

4/30  lidded ginger jars

  • Reserve and pay for your ticket(s) above. You’ll see the list of available dates and times. If you do not see the time or number of tickets you are looking for, it is because those tickets are already purchased and are unavailable. Choose another class session. Once you reserve, your name will be placed on the class list. You’ll receive a confirmation - SAVE YOUR CONFIRMATION!

    On the day of your Intermediate class, arrive at Bitter Root Pottery 15 minutes before the class you’re attending. For Intermediate Wheel it is absolutely imperative you come 15 minutes early as students are responsible for prepping their own clay and tools. The instructor will guide you around so you know where everything is.

  • We do not offer refunds or reschedules for missed bookings - all sales are final. We cannot change a reservation once it is made and the teacher is scheduled. Everyone in your group must SHOW UP ON TIME!! If you are late, the class will still end at the listed time.

  • Please respect your instructor and the others in the studio - put your phones on vibrate or silent. Take all phone calls outside if needed.

    We provide tripods if you would like to film your experience!

  • Intermediate Wheel Classes includes quicker pace instruction, clay, apron, choice of glaze color, clean tools and post-production of your pottery (firing and glazing).Each class covers a different topic or form. Examples of class topics are plates, lidded vessels, surface treatment, vases, experimenting with different tools, etc. Students will prep their own tools, and weigh out and wedge their own clay and get centered on their own. The instructor will NOT go through centering or pulling up walls - THIS IS INTERMEDIATE WHEEL THROWING! Then the class will work through the project/topic and participate in discussion to make sure concepts are grasped. At the end of class, for non-members, the instructor will then guide you through a quick clean up. You’ll discuss glaze choices and leave your piece at the studio for staff to fire. When your pot completes the firing process, staff will contact your for pick-up

    Please allow 6-8 weeks for your pot to complete the firing process.

  • Come dressed comfortably, with long hair tied back and nice jewelry and watches removed (they won’t get hurt but it is a pain to clean the clay off!). The clay will wash out and we do provide clean aprons; but wear clothes you don’t mind getting clay on. And just a friendly tip - long nails are not pottery-friendly because the process involves so much of your hands and fingers.

  • Parking is street metered and non-metered so pay attention to the signs. Please do NOT park in any business’s parking lots or designated BRP Staff spaces!! If you do, you risk being towed. We suggest carpooling or ride-share whenever possible

  • Please allow at least six-eight (6-8) weeks for your pottery to complete the firing process. Staff will contact you when everyone’s pottery in your group is ready to be picked up. From the time of your contact, you have 30 days to come pick up your pottery. After 30 days, your work may not be available for pick-up as we need to clear room for new student work.

    Occasionally, pieces do not make it through the firing process due to air bubbles, construction issues, etc. Occasionally, firings do not go as planned - shapes may warp slightly or glazes may come out different than expected. Staff cannot control the results of firings once a pot is in the kiln. This is simply the nature of the imperfect ceramic process. Completed, “perfect” pots cannot be guaranteed.

    REFUNDS WILL NOT BE ISSUED IF YOUR PIECE DOES NOT MAKE IT.

    You are coming to Bitter Root Pottery for the whole experience of working in a ceramics studio with a knowledgeable, friendly instructor! Our instructors have been working for years in this discipline to learn its many nuances and to get to the skills they have today. These skills cannot be imparted in one 2 hour session. So while you may have ideas of making a perfect bowl, we encourage you to put those expectations down and focus on enjoying the entire experience of working with clay and engaging with the creative process so in-depth.