218 Wheel Throwing + Wood Firing (Beginning & Intermediate)

218 Wheel Throwing + Wood Firing (Beginning & Intermediate)

Class - Ceramics | This class is completed

251 N Spruce St. Winston-Salem, NC 27101 United States

Wheelthrowing - Ceramics

Beginning and Intermediate

4/13/2023-6/8/2023

6:30 PM-9:00 PM EDT on Th

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$375.00

$337.50

$60.00

This class is only available to students who have taken at least 1 clay class at Sawtooth.

Participants will develop an understanding of the unique qualities and processes of using wood to fire ceramics. Students will take an active roll in helping load and fire the kiln at the end of the session. Students will also be expected to help with one wood prep shift during the session. 

Explore form, function, textures, tactile qualities, and surface development of atmospheric firing. During the firings, the draft created by the chimney pulls wood ash and alkaline vapors released by the heat of the fire through the kiln. The ash is deposited on the pottery in the path of the flame and creates a varied palette of colors and textures not achievable in any other way.

 

Students will advance their knowledge of throwing clay on the pottery wheel as well as the fundamentals of wood firing ceramics. Students will learn how to manipulate clay on the potter’s wheel to create functional, unique and personal pieces. We will focus on learning basic forms such as cups, bowls, and mugs.

 

Intermediate students are invited to practice wheel throwing techniques with the goal of refining your approach, building new skills, and challenging yourself to throw more advanced forms. Demonstrations will focus on techniques for throwing with consistent results, while also emphasizing the importance of design for making functional pots. Interested students may work on component making such as lids, spouts, handles, and/or matching sets. 

Ages: 18 - Adult

  • Students will be expected to spend some weekend time at the wood kiln helping to prepare for firings by splitting and stacking wood and will take an active role in working firing shifts in teams with more experienced students to experience this exciting and unique process.

    Students will learn how to embellish their pieces using slips (liquid clay) and glazes formulated for wood firing. Enrolled students are given access to open studio hours to work outside of class time.

     

  • A $30 material fee for the first 25 pounds of stoneware clay and related glazing and firing will be added at time of checkout. Porcelain clay excluded.

    For your first class, you will need to bring a an old hand towel or bath towel, a large car wash sponge and a bucket or other open container to hold about a quart of water. Additionally, you will need a pottery tool kit (if you do not already have one). To purchase, please bring with you to your first class $20.00 cash or a check made out to Sawtooth School for Visual Art. If paying cash, please bring exact change, as we can not currently provide change.
Lassiter, Clyde

Clyde became “completely fascinated with the potter's wheel in 1972 and that fascination continues to this day”. He has spent many years making pots in his own studio while working a career in public service and raising a family. Clyde has taught at Sawtooth since 1992 and hopes to guide students to “find a technique that works for them, not just the way I do things.”