​Build Skills: Potter's Wheel Basics

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The beginner pottery classes at Throw Clay LA are designed to help you build skills step by step in a supportive, hands-on environment. In this course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of throwing on the potter’s wheel, including centering, pulling, and shaping clay into functional forms, along with trimming and glazing techniques. Many students take Potter's Wheel Basics more than once to build consistency, confidence, and control on the wheel.

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​Build Skills: Handbuilding Techniques

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Explore slab, coil, and pinch techniques to create both functional and sculptural forms—no wheel required. These classes focus on construction, form, and creative expression while building a strong foundation in clay.

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Start with Pinch, Slab, Sculpt!, where you’ll experiment with essential handbuilding methods and create a range of forms from simple to more developed pieces. Or dive into Sculpting with Coils, a more focused exploration of building form through layered coils, allowing you to create larger, more expressive work.

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Across both courses, you’ll play with texture, shape, and surface while developing your own creative approach.

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Why Take a 6-Week Class?

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Pottery takes repetition to learn. In a 6-week course, you don’t just try the wheel once—you build skills step by step, improving each week as techniques start to click. You’ll have time to practice, make mistakes, and see real progress in your work.

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This format also allows you to complete pieces from start to finish, including trimming and glazing, so you leave with finished work—not just an experience.

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Class Details:

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• Duration: 6 weeks

• Schedule: Flexible weekday and weekend options

• Materials: All tools and materials included

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Practice and Progress

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Consistent practice is key to improving. All 6-week classes include access to the studio outside of class time for Student Practice Time. Working outside of class helps you build your skills faster.

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What Comes Next?

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There’s no single next step after your first course. Many students take Build Skills courses more than once to strengthen their technique and confidence. Others move into Refine & Explore courses to focus on specific forms or develop their personal style or move on to a studio membership.

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Note: For safety, our garage door remains open for airflow. Please dress warmly if the weather is chilly.

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SESSION 4 of 2026 begins 5/10

SESSION 5 of 2026 begins 6/21