DISCOVER THE ART OF POTTERY

Adult Pottery Wheel Classes

Six-Week Courses & Accelerated Learning at Katie’s Clay Studio

Discover the art of pottery at Katie’s Clay Studio! Whether you’re completely new to the pottery wheel or ready to take your skills to the next level, our hands-on pottery courses offer the perfect opportunity to learn, create, and explore the ceramic process.

Our small-group classes combine guided instruction with independent studio practice, allowing you to build confidence, develop your skills, and enjoy the rewarding experience of creating something with your own hands.

All pottery wheel courses are exclusively for adults ages 18 and older.

Compare Our Pottery Courses

Not sure which course is right for you? Explore our options below to find the best fit for your experience level and schedule.

Course	Beginner Wheel Throwing	Intermediate / Advanced	Vacation Crunch	Clay Handbuilding
Price	$455 + tax	$475 + tax	$485 + tax	$395 + tax
Schedule	6 weeks	6 weeks	Condensed	3 weeks
Experience Level	No experience required	Previous experience required	Beginner friendly	All experience levels
Instruction	6 classes	6 classes	Accelerated instruction	3 classes, 1.5 hours each
Clay Included	Up to 25 lbs	Up to 25 lbs	Up to 25 lbs	Up to 25 lbs
Open Studio Practice	3 hours/week	10 hours/week	By arrangement	3 hours/week
Tools & Firing	Included	Included	Included	Included

Please Note: Open Studio hours are limited to the weekly allowance included with your course. Unused hours do not roll over or accumulate, they expire after the class. Additional studio time is available for $20 + tax per hour, subject to availability.

All courses include up to 25 lbs of stoneware clay. Unused clay has no cash or credit value, and no refunds, discounts, or credits are given for clay not used during the course.

Class Scheduling & Availability

Our six-week pottery wheel courses are currently offered on Thursdays and Fridays, with class times based on instructor and studio availability. More booking and pricing information listed further down the page.

Because our classes are small and space is limited, there may be a waiting period for specific days or times. We recommend contacting the studio in advance to discuss availability and upcoming openings.

Weekend classes are not part of our regular six-week course schedule. Limited weekend availability may occasionally be offered depending on instructor schedules, but cannot be guaranteed.

Not Ready to Commit to Six Weeks?

Curious about pottery but want to try the wheel before signing up for a full course?

Our One-Time Wheel Throwing Experiences are a great way to get your hands in clay, learn the basics, and see if pottery is right for you!

We offer several introductory experiences, including individual lessons, Clay in a Day, and couples’ pottery experiences.

Explore Our Wheel Throwing Experiences →

Beginner Wheel Throwing

$455 + Tax | 6 Weeks | Adults 18+

Discover the art of pottery in our six-week Beginner Wheel Throwing Course! Designed for first-time students and those looking for additional guidance, this hands-on class introduces you to the fundamentals of working with clay on the pottery wheel.

Throughout the course, you’ll explore each stage of the ceramic process, from preparing and wedging clay to centering, pulling walls, shaping basic forms, and trimming your handmade pieces. You’ll finish by learning glazing techniques that bring your creations to life.

Whether you’re looking for a new creative hobby, a relaxing escape from your everyday routine, or simply want to try something different, this course offers a fun and welcoming environment to learn at your own pace.

Bring a friend or come solo and discover the rewarding experience of creating pottery from start to finish!

What’s Included

Six-week course with two hours of guided instruction per week.
Five weeks of wheel throwing instruction and one final glazing class.
Up to 25 lbs of stoneware clay.
Use of studio pottery tools and equipment.
Kiln firings for eligible class projects.
Up to 3 additional hours of independent Open Studio practice per week.

Beginner Open Studio Practice

Your course includes a maximum of 3 additional Open Studio hours per week, separate from your scheduled class time.
These hours are intended for independent practice and do not include instructor assistance. Practice time is subject to studio availability.
Unused hours do not roll over, accumulate, or transfer to future weeks. Additional studio time beyond the included 3 hours is $20 + tax per hour.

No previous pottery experience is required.

Intermediate / Advanced Wheel Throwing

$475 + Tax | 6 Weeks | Adults 18+

Ready to take your pottery skills to the next level?

Our Intermediate / Advanced Wheel Throwing Course is designed for students who have already learned the fundamentals and want to continue developing their skills on the pottery wheel.

Throughout the course, students will focus on improving consistency, refining their throwing techniques, exploring more challenging forms, and developing greater control over their pottery. With personalized instruction and additional independent studio time, you’ll have the opportunity to challenge yourself, experiment with new techniques, and continue growing as a potter.

This course is perfect for students who enjoy working with clay and are ready to expand their creativity beyond the basics.

What’s Included

Six-week course with two hours of guided instruction per week.
Five weeks of clay instruction and one final glazing class.
Up to 25 lbs of stoneware clay.
Use of studio pottery tools and equipment.
Kiln firings for eligible class projects.
Up to 10 additional hours of independent Open Studio practice per week.

Intermediate / Advanced Open Studio Practice

Students receive up to 10 additional Open Studio hours per week for independent practice, subject to studio availability.
These hours are not instructor-led and cannot be accumulated, carried over, or transferred to future weeks.
Additional studio time beyond the included allowance is $20 + tax per hour.

Prerequisite: Completion of Katie’s Clay Studio’s six-week Beginner Wheel Throwing Course.

Vacation Crunch — Accelerated Pottery Course

$485 + Tax | Condensed Schedule | Adults 18+

Short on time but eager to get your hands in clay? Whether you’re visiting the Pittsburgh area, enjoying a staycation, or simply can’t fit a traditional six-week course into your schedule, our Vacation Crunch Course offers a fun and flexible way to experience pottery!

This accelerated course brings the essentials of wheel throwing into a condensed schedule, allowing you to explore the ceramic process without committing to six consecutive weeks.

Through hands-on instruction, you’ll learn the fundamentals of preparing clay, centering, shaping, trimming, and glazing your handmade creations. With extended class sessions and a more concentrated learning experience, you’ll have the opportunity to develop new skills while enjoying the creative process.

Perfect for visitors, busy schedules, or anyone looking to dive into pottery in a shorter amount of time!

What’s Included

Accelerated pottery wheel instruction based on our beginner course.
Condensed scheduling coordinated with your instructor.
Extended class sessions of up to three hours when appropriate.
Up to 25 lbs. of stoneware clay.
Use of studio pottery tools and equipment.
Kiln firings for eligible class projects, with expedited firing schedules.
A scheduled glazing session.

Vacation Crunch Scheduling

Vacation Crunch is scheduled individually and is dependent on instructor availability, studio scheduling, and the drying and firing requirements of your pottery.
The course may be completed over approximately two weeks when scheduling and ceramic processing allow.
Independent Open Studio hours are not automatically included unless specifically arranged with the studio.
Advance scheduling is required.

HAND-BUILDING CLASSES:

$395 + Tax | 3 Weeks | 1.5 Hours Per Class

Discover the creative possibilities of working with clay in our three-week Hand building Course! Designed for beginners and experienced pottery enthusiasts alike, this hands-on class explores the art of creating functional and decorative ceramics without using a pottery wheel.

Throughout the course, you’ll learn a variety of traditional handbuilding techniques, including pinch pots, coil building, slab construction, and working with slump and press molds. Students will also be introduced to studio equipment such as slab rollers and extruders while exploring different ways to incorporate texture, patterns, and decorative details into their creations.

From sculptural pieces to functional pottery, this course encourages creativity, experimentation, and developing a deeper understanding of clay as an artistic medium. You’ll also explore basic ceramic terminology, surface decoration, and glazing techniques to complete your handmade projects.

Handbuilding is also a wonderful complement to wheel throwing! Understanding how clay behaves through different construction methods can help strengthen your overall pottery skills, whether you’re already working on the wheel or considering learning in the future.

What’s Included

Three instructor-led classes, each lasting 1.5 hours.
Instruction in various clay handbuilding techniques.
Up to 25 lbs of clay.
Use of studio tools and equipment.
Glazes and kiln firings for eligible class projects.
Up to 3 additional hours of independent Open Studio practice per week during the three-week course.

Open Studio Practice

Students receive up to 3 additional Open Studio hours per week to continue working on their projects independently.
These hours are separate from scheduled class time, do not include instructor assistance, and are subject to studio availability.
Unused Open Studio hours do not roll over, accumulate, or transfer to future weeks.
Additional Open Studio time is available for $20 + tax per hour, subject to availability.

Clay & Materials Policy

Your course includes up to 25 lbs of clay. Additional clay may be purchased if needed.
Unused clay does not qualify for a refund, discount, credit, or transfer toward future classes or purchases. Clay from previous lessons does not reduce the cost of this course.

Completing Your Projects

Students are expected to complete their projects, including glazing, within the scheduled three-week course period.
Any additional studio time needed after the course ends will be subject to the Open Studio rate of $20 + tax per hour.

Our experienced and helpful staff have years of experience in teaching and working with all skill levels. Our instructors are also practicing potters, providing you with insider knowledge and expertise to enhance your project.

Important Course Information & Policies

Please review the following information before registering for a pottery course.

Clay & Materials Policy

Each course includes up to 25 lbs of stoneware clay for use during your scheduled course.

The included clay allowance is part of the overall course package, regardless of how much clay a student chooses to use.

Unused clay does not qualify for a refund, credit, discount, exchange, or transfer toward future classes, memberships, or purchases.

Students who require additional clay may purchase it directly from the studio. Outside clay is not permitted without studio approval.

Independent Open Studio Practice

Open Studio practice is an additional benefit included with qualifying courses and is intended to give students time to practice techniques, trim pottery, and work independently.

Beginner students are limited to 3 additional hours per week.
Intermediate / Advanced students are limited to 10 additional hours per week.
Practice hours are subject to studio availability.
Open Studio is self-guided and does not include instructor assistance.
Unused hours do not roll over or accumulate.
Hours cannot be shared, transferred, or saved for use after the course ends.
Additional studio time is $20 + tax per hour, subject to availability.

Attendance & Missed Classes

Students are encouraged to attend all scheduled classes to receive the full benefit of their course.

If you are unable to attend a scheduled class, please contact the studio as soon as possible.

Makeup opportunities are subject to instructor and studio availability and are not guaranteed. Missed classes do not extend the overall course period or included Open Studio benefits unless specifically approved by the studio. All missed classes must be made up with in 30 days of the missed class or they are forfeited.

Glazing & Finishing Your Pottery

The final week of each traditional six-week course is dedicated to glazing your completed pottery. Students are encouraged to complete all projects and glazing within their scheduled course period.

Additional studio time required after the course has ended may be subject to an Open Studio fee of $20 + tax per hour.

All pottery must be completely dry and properly prepared before firing. Drying and firing schedules are determined by the studio.

Pottery & Firing Disclaimer

Pottery is both a creative experience and a learning process. Every handmade piece is unique, and finished results may vary depending on construction, drying, glazing, and firing.

Clay may crack, warp, or break during the ceramic process. Glazes can also produce unexpected colors, textures, and reactions depending on application and combinations.

Our instructors are here to guide you through proper techniques and help you make informed choices. However, finished results cannot be guaranteed.

Part of the joy of pottery is embracing the process, experimenting with techniques, and discovering what each piece becomes!

Registration & Payment Policies

All pottery courses require advance registration and are subject to instructor and studio availability.

Age Requirement: All students must be 18 years or older.
Reservations: Advance registration is required.
Payment: Course pricing does not include Pennsylvania sales tax.
Credit Card Fee: A 3% processing fee applies to credit card transactions. Cash and debit payments avoid this fee.
Refunds: Course registrations are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
Gift Cards: Katie’s Clay Studio gift cards cannot be used toward pottery wheel courses.

Ready to Get Your Hands in Clay?

Whether you’re discovering pottery for the first time or looking to advance your skills, we’d love to help you find the right course!

Class sizes are limited, and specific days or times may have a waiting period. We encourage you to contact the studio to discuss upcoming openings and registration.

Katie’s Clay Studio
Gibsonia, Pennsylvania
724-502-4700

Wheel Throwing Booking Hours: Wednesday–Friday, 11 AM–5 PM

Visit our online booking request form here: Forms Page

Looking for a shorter introduction to pottery? Explore Our One-Time Wheel Throwing Experiences →