Beginner - Advanced Wheel Courses

Please note that our Courses are all mixed level as we have a small class size -8/9 students max- and there are multiple demos throughout each class.

Beginner Class
Learn the fundamentals of wheel-throwing in this comprehensive 7-week Vancouver ceramics class. You’ll master essential skills like wedging, centering, throwing, trimming, and glazing. With only seven students per class, you’ll receive personalized instruction focused on efficient, thoughtful, and beautiful pottery-making.

Beginner Plus Shortie
Ideal for students who’ve completed at least one 6-8 week session and can confidently throw a 1lb cylinder. Most students take 1-2 Beginner courses before progressing to Beginner Plus.

Intermediate Class
Elevate your skills with this advanced Vancouver ceramics course. Previous experience is required (minimum two 6-week Beginner courses), and you must confidently throw a 1lb cylinder. Focus on advanced techniques, efficient processes, and refined designs. Small class sizes ensure individual guidance, so you’ll make significant progress.

Beginner Shortie (4 Weeks)
Get a taste for Vancouver pottery with this introductory 4-week course. Perfect for beginners or those looking to explore ceramics before committing to a longer class. It’s also great if you’ve taken the Beginner Course and want more time to practice before advancing to Beginner Plus. This course can be taken up to three times. Glazing may be booked after the Course is included.

Handbuilding Shortie (Beginner to Intermediate)
Explore creative handbuilding techniques in this flexible course. Come with specific project ideas or an open mind to experiment. Our instructor will guide you through the process from concept to completion. Re-enroll to work on larger or more intricate projects. Toolkits are required and available for purchase.

Additional Information

Clay and Tools

• Clay must be purchased through our studio (no outside clay is permitted). Details will be provided in your Welcome Email, sent a few days before your class begins.
• Students must purchase or bring their own toolkits.

Drop-Ins and Membership

• After attending two classes in a course, students 18+ may join Drop-In sessions (additional fee.)
• A membership is required for Drop-Ins once your course ends. Enrolled students do not need a membership during their session.
• View our schedule on Mindbody.
  

Firing and Glazing

To keep our Vancouver pottery studio accessible, firing and glazing are not included in course fees. Glazing may be booked at your convenience when the Course is over.

• Firing Fees: Start at $10.
• Glazing Workshop: $35 + tax.

Pay for only what you use at the end of your course!

Policies

• Make-Up Classes: Use Mindbody to manage your schedule. If you’ll miss a session, remove yourself from the class and book a make-up within your course dates. Make-ups are not guaranteed, but details will be shared before your course begins.
• Refunds and Transfers:
  • Classes are non-refundable.
  • Notify us at least 30 days before your course starts to request a resell of your spot, if successful you may register at a later date, depending on availability.
  • You may transfer your spot to a friend at no cost—just email us before the course starts.

Booking and Eligibility

• Age Requirement: All courses are for adults 18+.
• How to Book: Manage your schedule, make-ups, and Drop-Ins through Mindbody.

We are committed to creating a space rooted in respect, inclusion, and human dignity. Community Clay proudly supports human rights, including BIPOC, queer, trans, and gender-diverse communities. We welcome people of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.

Discrimination, harassment, hate speech, or behavior that makes others feel unsafe or unwelcome will not be tolerated in the studio. This includes racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, or any form of prejudice or intimidation.

By attending a workshop or entering the studio, guests agree to contribute to a respectful, inclusive environment where everyone may feel comfortable creating and learning together.

Discover the art of Vancouver ceramics and Vancouver pottery in a hands-on workshop designed for both beginners and experienced creators! Whether you’re navigating a busy schedule or honing specific skills, this 3-hour evening class offers the perfect opportunity to dive into the world of clay.

Workshop Highlights:

• Interactive Instruction: Start with instructor-led demonstrations to guide your creative process.
• Hands-On Practice: Work with high-quality clay and refine your skills while exploring the tactile experience of shaping and throwing clay.
• Finished Creations: Each participant may keep up to two pieces, which will be professionally trimmed, glazed, and fired. Your masterpieces will be ready for pickup approximately 8 weeks later (additional pieces can be kept for an extra cost).

Workshop Details:

• Duration: 3 hours; you are welcome to arrive up to 30 minutes prior to the start time listed to get settled and socialize. The door is locked at the start time, so please ensure you arrive at least several minutes before. The last 30 minutes are for clean up; colour selection; final details and goodbyes!
• Age: 16+ unless otherwise stated.
• Accessibility: Our studio is wheelchair accessible, and we’re happy to accommodate additional needs. Please email us in advance with any requirements to ensure a welcoming and inclusive experience.
• Location & Parking: The studio is conveniently located with metered street parking right outside. Please arrive 10–15 minutes early to get settled as late entry is not permitted.

What to Expect:
Participants will receive a few pieces of clay to experiment with and will work individually and as a team to clean up the studio during the final 30 minutes. This collaborative effort ensures a tidy and enjoyable space for everyone.

Important Notes:

• While we strive to ensure all pieces survive the firing process, the outcome is subject to the whims of the “kiln gods.”
• Essential oils may be diffused in the studio, and there may be dogs on the premises. Please notify us in advance if you have allergies or sensitivities.

Health & Safety:
By attending this workshop, participants acknowledge and assume all risks associated with the activity. Please review the waiver included with your ticket purchase for full details.

Tickets & Policies:

• Tickets are non-refundable. Unfortunately, no partial or full refunds will be provided for late arrivals or missed sessions.
• If you can no longer make your date, please email me 15 business days prior to your start date to change your registration.
• You may transfer the spot to a friend! Upon arrival, have them check in under your name (we will update our in-studio registration form. The purchaser will be updated for pick up information.)
• To register for multiple people add the spots desired to cart, if it reverts to a lesser amount in your cart this is the spaces left in the date.

Join Us for a Unique Evening of Vancouver Ceramics and Pottery!
Whether you’re looking to relax, get creative, or try something new, this workshop is the perfect way to explore your artistic side. If you have questions, email us at studio@communityclay.ca. I look forward to welcoming you to the studio!

We are committed to creating a space rooted in respect, inclusion, and human dignity. Community Clay proudly supports human rights, including BIPOC, queer, trans, and gender-diverse communities. We welcome people of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.

Discrimination, harassment, hate speech, or behavior that makes others feel unsafe or unwelcome will not be tolerated in the studio. This includes racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, or any form of prejudice or intimidation.

By attending a workshop or entering the studio, guests agree to contribute to a respectful, inclusive environment where everyone may feel comfortable creating and learning together.

Looking for a unique date night in Vancouver? Explore the world of Vancouver ceramics and Vancouver pottery with your partner in a hands-on, engaging workshop. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced creator, this 3-hour evening class is the perfect opportunity to bond, get creative, and have fun while shaping clay together.

Date Night Workshop Highlights

• Interactive Instruction: Start with expert-led demonstrations to guide your pottery experience.
• Hands-On Experience: Work with high-quality clay, learn pottery wheel techniques, and create something special together.
• Finished Creations: Each couple may keep up to four pieces (two per person), which will be professionally trimmed, glazed, and fired. Your pieces will be ready for pickup in approximately 8 weeks (additional pieces can be kept for an extra cost).

Workshop Details

• One Ticket = Two People: Share the experience with a loved one, friend, or partner.
• Duration: 3 hours; you are welcome to arrive up to 30 minutes prior to the start time listed to get settled and socialize. The door is locked at the start time, so please ensure you arrive at least several minutes before. The last 30 minutes are for clean up; colour selection; final details and goodbyes!
• Age: 16+ unless otherwise stated.
• Accessibility: Our studio is wheelchair accessible, and we’re happy to accommodate additional needs. Please email us in advance with any requirements to ensure a welcoming and inclusive experience.
• Location & Parking: The studio is conveniently located at 201 West 6th Ave, Vancouver with metered street parking right outside. Please arrive 10–15 minutes early to get settled as late entry is not permitted.

What to Expect

• Enjoy a relaxed, social atmosphere while experimenting with clay on the pottery wheel.
• Work individually and as a team during the final 30 minutes to clean up and maintain the studio's welcoming environment.

Important Notes

• While we strive to ensure all pieces survive the firing process, the outcome is subject to the whims of the “kiln gods.”
• Essential oils may be diffused in the studio, and there may be dogs on the premises. Please notify us in advance of any allergies or sensitivities.

Health & Safety

By attending this workshop, participants acknowledge and assume all risks associated with the activity. Please review the waiver included with your ticket purchase for full details.

Tickets & Policies

• One ticket covers two people – perfect for a couple’s night out!
• Tickets are non-refundable. No partial or full refunds for late arrivals or missed sessions.
• If you can no longer attend, email us at least 15 business days in advance to reschedule.
• You may transfer your spot to a friend. Just have them check in under your name upon arrival.
• To register multiple couples, add the desired number of spots to your cart. If your cart reverts to a lesser amount, that is the number of remaining spots for that date.

Join Us for a Memorable Date Night in Vancouver!

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, planning a fun night out, or simply trying something new, our Vancouver pottery date night workshop is a perfect experience for two. Have questions? Email Gabrielle at studio@communityclay.ca – I can’t wait to welcome you!

We are committed to creating a space rooted in respect, inclusion, and human dignity. Community Clay proudly supports human rights, including BIPOC, queer, trans, and gender-diverse communities. We welcome people of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.

Discrimination, harassment, hate speech, or behavior that makes others feel unsafe or unwelcome will not be tolerated in the studio. This includes racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, or any form of prejudice or intimidation.

By attending a workshop or entering the studio, guests agree to contribute to a respectful, inclusive environment where everyone may feel comfortable creating and learning together.

Plates are one of the most deceptively challenging forms in ceramics.

In this workshop, participants will learn efficient techniques for making plates both on the pottery wheel and at the workbench. We will discuss the nuances of this often fraught form in detail, focusing on strategies that help reduce warping while improving consistency and structure.

Participants will practise methods that improve plate throwing, compression, trimming, and handling while gaining a deeper understanding of form and process.

This workshop is designed as a development session, encouraging students to refine their techniques through repetition and observation.

Skill Level

Beginner Plus – Intermediate

Previous wheel experience is required. Participants must be able to:

• Center clay independently
• Throw a minimum of 1.5 lbs of clay

What Participants Will Practise

• Efficient plate throwing techniques
• Wheel and workbench plate methods
• Proper compression to reduce warping
• Handling and trimming large flat forms
• Understanding structural challenges of plates
• Understanding wall thickness by cutting pieces in half

Cutting pieces is encouraged as it allows participants to visually understand structure and improve technique.

Tools

Please bring your own tools, and also bats/wareboards etc., if you intend to keep items.

Clay

If you are a Community Clay member, you may use your own bag of clay purchased through the studio.

If you are not a member, you are welcome to purchase clay from Community, or bring your own clay. Please note that work made with outside clay must be fired at your home studio.

Firing

Firing is not included.

This workshop is intended as a skill development session, and participants are encouraged to cut their pieces in half to analyze form.

Studio Environment

Community Clay is a private ceramics studio in Vancouver focused on skill development and thoughtful practice. Workshops are intentionally kept small to allow for individual guidance at the wheel.

Age

16+

Policies

Classes and workshops are non-refundable. If you are no longer able to attend a workshop, you may email us and we may place your spot back up for sale. If the spot is resold, we will refund the cost of the workshop minus a $25 administration fee.

Location

Community Clay
Vancouver, BC

Explore Other Pottery Classes

Looking for other pottery classes in Vancouver?

Community Clay offers:

• Pottery Wheel Workshops
• Handbuilding Workshops
• Date Night Pottery Workshops
• Studio Membership for independent practice

View all upcoming classes here.