Course Catalog from Throw Clay LA
- Throw Clay LA
- Jul 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 18
At Throw Clay LA, we offer a wide range of wheel and handbuilding courses throughout the year—some are offered regularly, while others rotate in seasonally. Whether you’re brand new to pottery or ready to explore more advanced techniques, this overview highlights the variety of creative opportunities we offer. Be sure to check our current course listings to see what’s coming up next—many fill fast!
Potter's Wheel Basics
If you’ve been wanting to learn the fundamentals of wheel throwing, this is the perfect place to start. In a course with 8 others, you'll get hands-on instruction in class on centering, shaping, trimming, and glazing — all in a relaxed, supportive studio setting. Perfect for first-timers or anyone wanting to rebuild a strong foundation. Below left are the first attempts at throwing by beginning students. On the right, instructor Bella's calm and thorough instruction guides students successfully through the throwing process.
This course is also taught in Mandarin - Wheel Basics - Chinese
基础拉坯这门课程面向有意学习陶艺拉坯技术的零基础人群和拉坯初学者。你会在本次课程的六周中学会基础的拉坯技法，包括定中心，拉出不同形状的器皿、修坯、以及上釉。 课程结束后你将能够独立完成整个拉坯制陶。在本次课程中，你将逐步建立起对拉坯技法的信心，并最终达到能够从头到尾完成自己的陶艺作品。
Pinch, Slab, Sculpt!
Courses from Throw Clay LA also include handbuilding. Explore the potential of slab construction in this dynamic course that blends functional and sculptural work. Students will roll, cut, layer, and manipulate clay slabs to build objects with bold form and creative surface treatment. Below are two slab trays made with press molds.
Sculpting with Coils
For students drawn to handbuilt sculpture, this course focuses on building expressive, larger-scale forms using coil technique. You’ll learn to plan and execute more ambitious work, with guidance on structure, scale, and storytelling in clay. From left to right, beautiful form results from coil building, a member achieves large scale through patient coil building, and a beginner creatively builds creative vessels - easy with coils, but a longer learning curve on the wheel.
Continuing Wheel
Designed for students comfortable with centering and pulling walls, this course builds your skills while exploring new forms, techniques, and surface decoration. Expect to develop consistency and deepen your creative process.
Continuing Handbuilding
A perfect course for students who’ve taken Slab, Pinch, Sculpt! or Sculpting with Coils, or have similar experience. Tailored to your creative goals, you're encouraged to show up to the first session with a project in mind, with a 12"x12" scale as your framework. Expect hands-on demos, personal feedback, and the chance to turn your ideas into thoughtful, expressive work.
Throwing Big
Ready to size up your wheel work? This course focuses on the techniques needed to throw larger forms—starting with 3, then 5, and eventually 8 pounds of clay. You’ll learn to manage the physical and technical challenges of working big, from spiral wedging to centering, pulling, and trimming with intention. Ideal for students who can confidently throw a two-pound cylinder with even walls.
Dinner for Two
From the wheel to your table, create a complete dinnerware set you’ll be proud to use and share. In this continuing course, you’ll learn to make matching plates, bowls, and wine cups in white stoneware, then glaze them so they feel like part of a cohesive set. Each student will complete a set for two: two dinner plates, two small bowls, and two wine cups.
Clay Drinking Vessels
Imagine sipping your morning coffee from a mug you crafted yourself, watching friends enjoy whiskey from cups you made, or giving a set of handmade wine goblets as a wedding present. In this 6-week course for experienced wheel potters, you'll focus your creativity on learning to throw off the hump while making a cohesive set of drinkware, including mugs, cups, and goblets.
Creatures & Critters
A handbuilding favorite! This playful class guides you through building sculptural animals — real or imaginary — using pinch and coil techniques. Bring your character ideas to life while developing solid construction skills and expressive forms.
Surface Design Part I
Learn a range of surface techniques to bring character and depth to your pottery. Focusing on decoration for bisque and greenware, you will learn the essentials of slip and underglaze application, resist methods using latex, and foundational techniques for mark-making and pattern incising.
Surface Design Part II
Each week we introduce a new method and technique, encouraging creativity and confidence with every session. With an emphasis on bisque and greenware decorating, together we will explore clay slip incising, methods for transferring designs, tools for resist application, how to design and use clay stamps, and sprigging for low relief motifs.
Why chose courses from Throw Clay LA?
Our courses are designed to be as inspiring as they are instructional—small class sizes, experienced instructors, and a warm, welcoming studio community make all the difference. Whether you're exploring clay for the first time or deepening your practice, you'll find thoughtful guidance, creative challenge, and plenty of encouragement along the way.
At Throw Clay LA, it's not just about learning a craft—it’s about discovering what you can create when you're supported by a space that believes in growth, artistry, and friendship.
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