

Beyond function, ceramic vessels can serve as design objects, three dimensional canvases that convey messages and artwork. In this workshop we will learn some of the myriad ways humans have decorated pottery from ancient times to today. Covering sgraffito and slip decoration, this workshop will help you design and decorate your work in unique ways.
Students will need to bring greenware (leather hard) for this workshop. If you don't have any, we will have leather hard slabs for you to practice techniques on.
Members & students may fire work from this workshop in their allotment. Non students/members may pay to have their pieces fired, or take them with you at the end of the workshop to fire at your studio.
Skill level: Any
Classes and workshops are non-refundable. If you can no longer attend a workshop, you can email us and we can put it back up for sale. If the spot gets sold, we will refund you the cost of the workshop minus a $25 admin fee.
Beginner Class: Beginners will learn the ancient art of wheel throwing on the Potter's Wheel. Basic skills are established, including wedging, centering, throwing, trimming, and glazing. Focus is centered on beautiful and thoughtful making. How can you efficiently and effortlessly throw pottery? You will learn in this class, with only 7 other peers to ensure one on one instruction and expedite the learning curve.
Beginner Plus Class: You've taken at least one 6 week session within the past couple months, and you know a bit of the basics. Usually students will take 1-2 Beginner Courses before moving onto a BEGINNER PLUS Course.
Design & Altered Wheel:
Previous experience required, minimum of 2 x 6 week Courses. Dinnerware Design meets Thrown and Altered Forms. Thoughtfully design a set of Dinnerware; or focus on a particular object or two's composition, appearance and functionality. Employ the process of altering forms to level up your practice. This course will push your conceptual understanding of making, while thoughtfully considering our responsibility as artists.
Intermediate Class: Previous experience required, minimum of 2 x 6 week Courses. You must be able to wedge, center and throw a cylinder confidently. Take your practise to the next level. Focus is centered on beautiful and thoughtful making. How can you efficiently and effortlessly throw pottery? You will learn in this class, with only 7 other peers to ensure one on one instruction and expediate the learning curve. We move quickly through a lot of content so you must be able to pull up and throw a cylinder confidently.
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.
$10 from the purchase of every course goes towards our Community Outreach Program.
Clay must be purchased from us for the Course (no outside clay is allowed;) 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. Glazing is included in the Course in Week 8, and may also be booked at your convenience during/after the course in one of our Glazing Workshops $20+tx. No instruction on making objects (using the wheel or hand-building) will be provided in Week 8, but you are welcome to use this time to work on your projects solo if you have nothing to glaze.
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 4 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 8 sessions in the course. We do not guarantee that you'll be able to make up any missed classes.
All classes and workshops are 18+
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.
Clay must be purchased from us for the Course (no outside clay is allowed;) 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. Glazing is not included in the Course, and may be booked at your convenience after the course in one of our Glazing Workshops $20+tx.
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 4 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 8 sessions in the course. We do not guarantee that you'll be able to make up any missed classes.
All classes and workshops are 18+
"
Open air, lots of space, friendly, good energy to focus yet social at the same time. Great location, great people - the vibe is welcoming and inclusive." -anonymous, submitted via our feedback form
"
Beautiful space, excellent equipment, great teachers, 3 hour drop in is great. Plants everywhere. Music while throwing. Sigh…I love it"
-anonymous, submitted via our feedback form
"
Vibes are chill! Everyone is so sweet, even if it’s just strangers you meet at drop in, you can still have a conversation"
-anonymous, submitted via our feedback form
"
Supportive environment. Fun vibe. Peaceful."
-anonymous, submitted via our feedback form
"
Large and bright space, encouraging, welcoming."
-anonymous, submitted via our feedback form
"
I love how organized everything is, Gabrielle and the staff are great, the teachers are really passionate about their craft and attentive to their class."
-anonymous, submitted via our feedback form
"
Everyone is extremely welcoming and non-judgmental. I love that classes and drop ins have become permanent fixtures in my week where I can see people I like, make cool shit I didn't know I could make, and blow off some steam. It's become a form of therapy and something I look forward to weekly." -
anonymous, submitted via our feedback form
"I learned more in one class at Community Clay than I did at an entire semester at Emily Carr University!" -Britney
"Roll up your sleeves, and get right behind the wheel! Community Clay provides you the opportunity to learn and experiment with a variety of pottery techniques, friendly to all skill levels. I can't wait to take the next class!" -Victoria
For this Introduction to Hand Building Workshop, you’ll each be given 1.5 lbs of 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 can choose to make one object or two small objects with no additional charge beyond the cost of the workshop. Extra pieces created are subject to additional charges dependant on the size of the object to accommodate for the use of glazing materials, the labour of love that goes into finishing and trimming the work for you by the Community Clay team as well as the space taken in the kiln for the multiple firings.
To upgrade this workshop to make a custom Planter, please click here, when purchased extra clay and plant are provided.
We look forward to having you create with us. When you arrive at the studio we will have a meet & great to get to know each other! The instructor will do a couple of demos to start things off. Focus for the workshop will be on the studio experience, and trying your hand at clay. We work together at the end to clean up, as Community values collaboration. Additional pieces may be completed for you by our staff for a fee. Your work will be ready for pick up in 4-6 weeks (extra thick pieces will take longer to dry out.)
The workshops are great for those who have a challenging schedule but want to try ceramics, or those with prior experience who want to work on a specific skill. The Workshop is one evening, doors open at 6pm for meet & greet; 630pm the Demo starts; 830-9pm clean up & choose glaze colours! If you have booked a 2pm workshop adjust the time accordingly. Doors open at 2pm and the Demo will begin at 230!
Please note classes and workshops are non-refundable. We will try our best to re-sell your spot in the class if you contact us prior to class starting. If we're able to fill the spot, we will refund you, minus a $50 administration fee.
All classes and workshops are 18+
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to ask! Due to the nature of the process there is no guarantee that work will make it through the firings. Any person(s) who do not treat other person(s) with kindness and respect will be asked to leave the premises. Discrimination, hate speech, disrespectful behaviour is not permitted, no exceptions. You will not be reimbursed for any classes in the event that you are asked to leave the studio. Your participation in this private event & affiliated activities is at your sole and exclusive risk. Community Clay Inc. may refuse admittance, may charge the admission fee, or ask you to leave at any time for any reason.
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 Inc. 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 Inc., 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 Inc. may refuse admittance, may charge the admission fee, or ask you to leave at any time for any reason.
For each pair, you may register one spot :)
For this Pottery Workshop, you’ll each be given 1.5 lbs of 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 can choose to make one object or two small objects with no additional charge beyond the cost of the workshop. Extra pieces created are subject to additional charges dependant on the size of the object to accommodate for the use of glazing materials, the labour of love that goes into finishing and trimming the work for you by the Community Clay team as well as the space taken in the kiln for the multiple firings.
We look forward to having you create with us. When you arrive at the studio we will have a meet & great to get to know each other! The instructor will do a couple of demos to start things off. Focus for the workshop will be on the studio experience, and trying your hand at clay. We work together at the end to clean up, as Community values collaboration. Additional pieces may be completed for you by our staff for a fee. Your work will be ready for pick up in 4-6 weeks (extra thick pieces will take longer to dry out.)
The workshops are great for those who have a challenging schedule but want to try ceramics, or those with prior experience who want to work on a specific skill. The Workshop is one evening, doors open at 6pm for meet & greet; 630pm the Demo starts; 830-9pm clean up & choose glaze colours!
Please note classes and workshops are non-refundable. We will try our best to re-sell your spot in the class if you contact us prior to class starting. If we're able to fill the spot, we will refund you, minus a $50 administration fee.
All classes and workshops are 18+
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to ask! Due to the nature of the process there is no guarantee that work will make it through the firings. Any person(s) who do not treat other person(s) with kindness and respect will be asked to leave the premises. Discrimination, hate speech, disrespectful behaviour is not permitted, no exceptions. You will not be reimbursed for any classes in the event that you are asked to leave the studio. Your participation in this private event & affiliated activities is at your sole and exclusive risk. Community Clay Inc. may refuse admittance, may charge the admission fee, or ask you to leave at any time for any reason.
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 Inc. 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 Inc., 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 Inc. may refuse admittance, may charge the admission fee, or ask you to leave at any time for any reason.