FAQs
What are classes at Clayworks like?
Clayworks is a beginner-focused studio. We have a structured approach to help you learn quickly while having fun. We are mindful of the expense of taking pottery classes and the value of your time. Our staff provides individual, hands on attention to all students while ensuring that classes run smoothly and efficiently.
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What's included?
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Included: Materials (clay and glazes), tools, aprons and firing fees.
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We have a communal clay model and do not charge for allotments of clay. We encourage you to practice and play around making forms on the wheel. We recycle all unfired clay.
Each class has a planned amount of kiln space dedicated for firing in order to maintain a predictable schedule. If you exceed what we've planned for your class firing, we may take longer to return your work.
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A bit on expectations when taking your first pottery wheel class:
Our Wheel 1 classes are designed to introduce students to "throwing". We believe that four lessons provide the minimum, essential time to comfortably experience one complete cycle of making pottery on the wheel. As with any new skill, it typically takes a few cycles to start to gain control over the process. Many of our students that are new to pottery will take Wheel 1 a couple times.
What is the difference between Wheel 1 and Wheel 2 classes?
Wheel 1 and Wheel 2 class curriculum focuses on teaching specific skills and relate those techniques to forming specific shapes.
Wheel 1 teaching concepts focus on foundational skills. We will use cups or bowls as a guide:
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how to center clay
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how to create/pull walls
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how to clean up work by trimming
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how to glaze your work
Wheel 2 teaching concepts are making larger/taller objects with more precision, and vessels with thoughtful attachments. We will use things like serving bowls or mugs as a guide:
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making things to specific dimensions
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trimming to shape
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considering form and fuction
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creating and attaching handles
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layering glazes
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If I took a Wheel 1 Bowl class, should I enroll in the Wheel 2 Bowl class next?
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Yes. But, for folks who want to work on more reliably centering, or pulling taller/thinner walls, we also welcome you to take additional Wheel 1 classes, We have two Wheel 1 classes that focus on slightly different techniques - Cups &Tumblers - and Bowls.
Can I make up a class?
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We can often reschedule the last day, which is "Glaze Day." Otherwise, generally, no - because of the class sequence and the drying times of working with clay. If you will miss a day, please let us know (email hello@commonwealthclayworks.com / txt: 617 286-4513), and your instructor will make sure you have work available and ready to continue in your next session.
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Will you fire work created outside of this studio?
No - In order to provide timely firing of our class/studio members and to ensure that work can be safely fired in our kilns, we don't fire work created outside of our studio.
What is a Clayworks Companion?
We can provide a volunteer companion if you need assistance during class - for example if you need help with physical aspects of studio work, hearing or moving around the studio. Please let us know if you'd like a companion after registering for class.
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