Refining the Wheel for All Levels

This course will focus on helping students channel their creativity into various wheel-thrown projects! Class will focus on helping students throw, trim, and glaze, and will show different techniques for doing so, including sgraffito, handles, lids, and more! Students will be encouraged to research and find inspiring reference images for objects they are interested in making. All levels (beginner to advanced) are welcome.

Week 1

All about introductions! Students will be given a ceramics studio etiquette and safety tour. The instructor will lead an introduction to the wheel and students will be given time to practice.

Week 2

The next step of wheelthrowing is trimming! The instructor will lead a trimming demostration to refine last weeks thrown pieces. Students will be given time to continue throwing.

Week 3

The instructor will give demostrations on pulling handles and throwing lids to refine skills even further.

Week 4

This is the last day of throwing, which the instructor will lead the class to throw with intention. Students will be given a sgraffito and surface decoration exploration demostration.

Week 5

Last trimming day, all pieces will be ready for a bisque fire!

Week 6

All about glazing! Students will learn different glazing techniques to help achieve their aesthetic goals. Students will spend the remainder of classtime glazing all their pieces to prepare for the glaze firing.

Students are given Open Studio access for free during the course. Open Studio is uninstructed work time that allows students to continue refining their work outside of class time.

Open Studio takes place every Thursday from 5pm - 8pm and every Saturday from 12pm - 4pm.

Kiln firings for anything made during the class and Open Studio are included in the course fees. Students are given 25lbs of new Standard 112 clay to work with through the course. Additional clay may be purchased.

The studio does have communal tools available for use. A tool recommendation list will be send prior to the first day of classes, which can be purchased locally or shipped.

Lilli Lowenhar is a potter and artist who is currently pursuing their Bachelor of Fine Arts with a specialty in Ceramics. While pursuing their studies, they have gained experience in ceramics (particularly wheelthrowing) education in various New Jersey pottery studios.

• Everyone is welcome at this workshop! You do not have to have a MakerSpace membership or any affiliation with Utility Works. These tickets are $300 for a 6 week course.
• This Workshop is has special pricing for MakerSpace Members. Reach out to our Programs Coordinator, LEE at [email protected] to receive your member access code. If you are interested in a membership check out our membership page here.

• Street Parking is metered on the side and front of the building.
• The Highland avenue parking lot behind Dunkin Doughnuts is also available for parking, which is also metered.

Please note that this workshop takes place in the Utility Works basement, which is only accessible via stairs. The class requires participants to be able to sit and/or stand for at least three hours and use their hands for two hours. You must be able to lift 25lbs. There are two gender-neutral bathrooms available for students, including one that is ADA accessible. If you have specific accessibility needs or questions, please contact us in advance so we can discuss potential accommodations.