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 10 business days before your course starts to request a resell of your spot. If successful, we’ll refund your payment minus a $50 admin fee.
  • You may transfer your spot to a friend with relevant experience at no cost—just email us beforehand.

Booking and Eligibility

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

Handbuilding Class: Before there was a wheel, pottery still existed. Handbuilding is the oldest form of ceramics. Crafting sculptures and vessels by hand, this course goes over basic skills working with clay. Want to take it to the next level? Classes are mixed level which allows you to develop your skills. Upon request you will be taught how to use the Slab Roller and Extruder! Take your wheel throwing to the next level with essential material understanding established in this Handbuilding course. 

Information will be provided in the Welcome email, which will be sent a few days before the Class start date. Some tools may be available at the studio on a first come first serve basis, but Students are required to purchase a tool kit from us or bring their own if Students wish to attend Drop In's during your Course. Clay & firing of work included- if you have a lot of work, or your items are bigger there may be additional firing fees (at cost.) Glazing Workshop is included, and may be booked after the Course is over.

Once you take a Course with us, you are able to attend into Drop In's (fee not included in the course) after attending two classes of the Course. If you wish to continue attending Drop In's after the Course is over, a Membership is required. If you are currently enrolled in a Course a Membership is not needed to attend Drop In's, fees applicable.

Please note classes are non-refundable. We will try our best to re-sell your spot in the class if you contact us at least 5 business days prior to class starting. If we're able to fill the spot, we will refund you, minus a $50 administration fee. You may transfer your spot to a friend of relevant experience at no cost, please email us to inform us of this prior to the Class start.

Please ensure you can make all sessions in the course. We do not guarantee that you'll be able to make up any missed classes.

This Course is 18+

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 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 10 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. We look forward to welcoming you to the studio!

For this Introduction to Hand Building Workshop, you’ll each be given clay to explore, experiment and create with. Throughout the workshop you will be shown techniques you can choose to use to create a personalized work to have finished by the Community Clay team.

With the clay you’re given you may create to your hearts content, and keep up to 2 projects totalling 1lb of clay. Extra/larger pieces created may be kept for an additional fee depending on the size of the object to accommodate for the use of glazing materials, the labour of love that goes into finishing the work for you and the space taken in the kiln. Materials and all costs are included, and your items will be glazed and fired for you.

HOLIDAY WORKSHOP- each participant will get to keep 2-4 ornaments per person depending on size. Extra/larger pieces created may be kept for an additional fee depending on the size of the object to accommodate for the use of glazing materials, the labour of love that goes into finishing the work for you and the space taken in the kiln. 

To upgrade this workshop to make a custom Planter, please click here, when purchased extra clay and plant are provided.

Everything will be set up for you and right at the start time listed the instructor will do a couple of demos before you get a chance to work on your own creation! Focus for the workshop will be on the experience of working clay, and beginning to understand how to feel the medium. Your masterpieces will be ready for pickup about 8 weeks after the workshop. 30 minutes prior to end time participants will work as a team to clean up their stations and tidy the Studio. Team work makes the dream work!

Please arrive at the studio prior to the start time listed, you may arrive 10-15 minutes before to get settled. Our doors will be open 30 minutes prior to the start time. We suggest using google/apple maps for updates on traffic as there is no late entry. There is metered street parking right outside the studio. 

We are committed to making this art workshop accessible and welcoming to all. Our venue is wheelchair accessible, and we aim to accommodate any additional needs you may have. If you have any disabilities, mobility concerns, or other requirements that would help us ensure your full participation, please let us know in advance via email. We will make every effort to prepare and create a comfortable environment for you.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to ask! Email us studio @ communityclay.ca

 This workshop is 16+

While you are able to keep up to two items, due to the nature of the process there is no guarantee that work will make it through the firings. It's in the hands of the kiln gods. Please be aware we may have dogs on premises, and use diffusers with essential oils. If you have any allergies please notify me prior to class.

By attending classes and open studios you agree and understand that in connection with your participation in any event or activity, you may be exposed to a variety of hazards and risks, foreseen or unforeseen, which may or not be inherent to those activities and events. The risks include, but are not limited to the dangers of personal injury, property damage, property loss, and death. Community Clay has not tried to contradict or minimize your understanding of these risks. By entering into the studio, you agree and understand that injuries and damages can occur by natural causes, or by the acts of other persons or third parties, either as an act of negligence or because of other reasons. You are personally responsible for all costs and/or risks associated with any public or private event or activity. Notwithstanding anything herein, to the fullest extent allowed by law, you agree to waive, discharge claims, release from all liability and indemnify and hold harmless Community Clay, its organizers, hosts, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers. agents, volunteers, and other partners and employees, from any and all liability on account of, or in any way resulting from injuries and damages in any way connected to events and activities. You agree and understand that this waiver and release will be binding upon your heirs, executors, agents, administrators, and assigns, and will include any minors accompanying users at the events. Your participation in this private event & affiliated activities is at your sole and exclusive risk. Community Clay may refuse admittance, may charge the admission fee, or ask you to leave at any time for any reason.

Tickets are non-refundable. Please note that Community Clay is under no obligation to refund part, or all of class price if you can not, or do not attend or if you are late.