Beginning Wheel Throwing - (Mondays w/Luke, Summer 2024)

This course is designed to teach the fundamentals of working with clay on the potter’s wheel—no prior experience is necessary. Students will be introduced to basic throwing shapes, as well as the follow-up steps of trimming, handle making, and glazing.

Classes meet once a week for 2.5 hours in the AMOCA Ceramics Studio for six weeks (15 hours of total instruction), and are limited in size to ten students. Access to open studio hours is included for the duration of the class and one week following.

Studio classes are for adults ages 18 and over (students 16+ may attend classes when accompanied by a paying adult).

Week 1:

Introduction to working at the AMOCA Ceramics Studio and throwing on the wheel

Week 2:

Introduction to the terminology and protocols of throwing

Week 3:

Introduction to basic trimming and throwing techniques

Week 4:

Introduction to basic forms and shapes (bowls and vases)

Week 5:

Introduction to glazing

Week 6:

Introduction to basic glazing techniques and final review

Refunds are not allowed after the course begins. Refunds requested during the week prior to the start of the class will be honored at 50%. Refunds requested prior to this will be honored minus Eventbrite fees. If you would like to request a refund, email [email protected].

Studio classes are for adults ages 18 and over (students 16+ may attend classes when accompanied by a paying adult).

AMOCA follows current Los Angeles County COVID guidelines. We encourage you to keep up to date on vaccines, wear a mask if you'd like to, and stay healthy!

Luke Shalan received his BFA with a focus in Ceramics from California College of the Arts in Oakland, CA. In addition, he studied at The Australian National University (School of Art) in Canberra, ACT and attended Penland School of Craft in Penland, NC. In 2016 Luke established Luke Shalan Techné, a design, consulting and fabrication studio based in California. Luke’s work can be seen at Lawson-Fenning’s showroom in Hollywood, CA and has been included in exhibitions, such as “CUBE//TOOL” at Bradley Duncan Studio; Sunset Magazine’s “IDEA HOUSE” in Santa Monica; and “Stienbesser Experimental Gastronomy Retrospective” at the CODA Museum, Netherlands. His work has been featured in publications including Sunset Magazine, Architectural Digest, POPEYE magazine, C-File, and The Method Case. Alongside his own practice, Luke has designed, consulted and produced ceramic work for many artists and designers namely Kelly Wearstler, Jenni Kayne, Chris Kallmyer and Bradley Duncan Studio. Luke currently resides in Sugarloaf, CA where he continues to operate Luke Shalan Techné and has embarked on a new venture, Stone and Leaf Tea Company, providing Gong Fu tea experiences and unique tea sets. Shalan is an Artist in Residence at AMOCA March–September 2024.

Students are encouraged to come in on their own time to work on their projects during Open Studio hours (posted online and in the classroom). Entry to studio outside of Open Studio hours will be disabled via entry system.

Our Studio Artists and Artists in Residence occupy private spaces. Please be respectful of their personal space and please do not interrupt them while they are working.

Please be sure to clean up the area you are working in, including:

Handbuilding tables - wipe down after use

Slab roller - always use canvas

Glaze area - wipe down any spills, countertops, and bucketsStudio tools - clean before putting back in drawer

All cell phone conversations are to be taken outside. When listening to music or podcasts please only use headphones! It is important to not assume others want to listen to your tunes.

There is shelving provided for each class in the classroom. This can be used for the duration of the class; however, once class is over these shelves must be cleared. Anything left behind after the two week grace period concludes will be assumed abandoned and then discarded.

All clay must be purchased through our studio; no outside clay will be fired. If there is a cone 10 clay body you like from Laguna Clay that we don’t have in stock please let us know and we can order some for you.

Host or Publisher American Museum of Ceramic Art