Chester Springs Studio offers ceramic classes using both wheel-throwing and handbuilding techniques. We are COVID compliant, and all students that are not vaccinated must wear masks in the studio. Tuition includes a materials fee covering use of studio tools, glazes, electric kiln firings and your first bag of stoneware clay. Additional clay may be purchased at $25 for a 25 lb. bag of stoneware or terra cotta, and $35 for porcelain. Tool kits are available for $25, along with a selection of individual clay tools at various prices. Adult classes are for students of 16 years of age and older. Please bring a towel and water bottle with you to your ceramic class.
Sunday AM One-Day Pottery
Ages: 16+ years
Level: Beginner
Instructor: Aphrodite Kunkle
Date 1: Sunday, April 2
Date 2: Sunday, April 16
Date 3: Sunday, April 30
Date 4: Sunday, May 7
Time: 9:30 – 12:30pm
Location: Clay Studio, Chester Springs Studio
$45 Member, $55 Non-member
(Price includes: Clay, Glazes, Firing)
Interested in pottery but feeling shy about signing up for a class? Come on down to the pottery studio and just try it! This 3-hour class (16 years +) will cover the basics. The instructor will demonstrate how to center and throw pottery, and then the students try it for themselves as the instructor gives guidance. Students choose from a selection of glazes. After the pottery dries to leather state, our studio tech trims them, and they are bisque fired. Then the pottery is glazed and fired again. We will contact you when your pots are complete and ready for you to pick up.
Monday PM Pottery Classes
Level: All Levels
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Jessica Greet
Length: 10 weeks
Mondays, March 20 – May 22, 2023
Time: 12:30 – 3:30pm
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $305 Member, $330 Non-member
(Includes $50 Materials/Firing Fee)
In this handbuilding class we will explore how surface texture alters the resulting aesthetic of a glazed piece. Special techniques will include applying surface texture as well as other demos. Emphasis will be on the growth of each individual student. Beginners will focus on basic technique while more advanced students will have the opportunity to explore individual projects in their own style.
Monday PM Pottery Classes
Level: Must have experience
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Jeanie Silver, Jessica Greet
Length: 10 weeks
Mondays, March 20 – May 22, 2023
Time: 6:30 – 9:30pm
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $305 Member, $330 Non-member
(Includes $50 Materials/Firing Fee)
ACT 48 CREDITS
Jeanie Silver and Jessica Greet will be teaching this wheel throwing and handbuilding class, where you may develop skills through a playful investigation of the behavior of clay. You may pursue your own goals as you participate in the occasional group activity. Through short appropriate demonstrations on form, surface, function and history, we can find new reasons for keeping our hands in clay.
Jeanie Silver will be retiring after this semester. She has taught pottery at Chester Springs Studio for many years, and we are thankful for her expertise and all she has shared through the years. Her passion for pottery has inspired many students to explore this creative art, and for some to pursue it as a career. Jeanie will continue to be a part of our creative community and offer workshops in the future.
Tuesday AM Pottery Classes
Level: All Levels
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Susan Bankert
Length: 10 weeks
Tuesdays, March 21 – May 23, 2023
Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $305 Member, $330 Non-member
(Includes $50 Materials/Firing Fee)
ACT 48 CREDITS
This 10-week class, All About the Wheel, will introduce basic to advanced wheel-throwing techniques. Beginners will start with centering the clay and throwing cylinders and bowls. Returning students will continue to refine their personal style, learn advanced techniques and focus on individual projects. Glaze application and decoration will be explored as a group. Come on out and enjoy a wonderful environment and explore your creative side. This Spring we will continue to focus on making functional pots for specific foods and events.
Tuesday PM Pottery Classes
Level: Must have Previous Experience
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Suzanne Kent
Length: 10 weeks
Tuesdays, March 21 – May 23, 2023
Time: 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $305 Member, $330 Non-member
(Includes $50 Materials/Firing Fee)
ACT 48 CREDITS
The Throwing Concentration class is an opportunity for intermediate and advanced ceramic students to develop and strengthen their throwing skills, explore more complex forms, and work towards having a personal voice in their clay work with projects and demonstrations related to form and surface decoration. We will discuss various ways of firing our work and learn together as results are shared in this creative, friendly atmosphere.
Wednesday PM Pottery Classes
Level: All Levels
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Jessica Greet
Length: 10 weeks
Wednesdays, March 22 – May 24, 2023
Time: 12:30 – 3:30 pm
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $305 Member, $330 Non-member
(Includes $50 Materials/Firing Fee)
The Throwing with Confidence class will explore the possibilities of transforming the thrown object to fit individualized aesthetics. Students will learning beneficial studio tricks and tips. Weekly demonstrations will offer techniques that can be used to alter thrown forms for enhanced functionality.
Wednesday PM Pottery Classes
Level: All Levels
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Susan Bankert
Length: 10 weeks
Wednesdays, March 22 – May 24, 2023
Time: 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $305 Member, $330 Non-member
(Includes $50 Materials/Firing Fee)
ACT 48 CREDITS
This 10-week class, All About the Wheel, will introduce basic to advanced wheel-throwing techniques. Beginners will start with centering the clay and throwing cylinders and bowls. Returning students will continue to refine their personal style, learn advanced techniques and focus on individual projects. Glaze application and decoration will be explored as a group. Come on out and enjoy a wonderful environment and explore your creative side. This Spring we will continue to focus on making functional pots for specific foods and events.
Thursday PM Pottery Classes
Level: All Levels
Limit: 9 students
Instructor: Rich Holck
Length: 10 weeks
Thursdays, March 23 – May 25, 2023
Time: 12 – 3 pm
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $305 Member, $330 Non-member
(Includes $50 Materials/Firing Fee)
In Building with Clay we will be working with various ways to construct a pot through handbuilding. The use of drape molds and press molds will be explored as well as other building techniques. We will also work with slips and oxides and incorporate different types of surface treatments such as trailing, inlay, masking and wax resist—all of which will help to emphasize the finished form. All levels of experience are welcome.
Thursday PM Pottery Classes
Level: All Levels
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Dina Schmidt
Length: 10 weeks
Thursdays, March 23 – May 25, 2023
Time: 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $305 Member, $330 Non-member
(Includes $50 Materials/Firing Fee)
Create ceramics by handbuilding, throwing, or a combination of both techniques. Sculptural, decorative, and functional possibilities in clay will be explored through brief demonstrations and class discussions. Develop your own projects as we experiment with hand-building techniques and basic throwing and altering skills on the potter's wheel. We will also investigate traditional and non-traditional methods to finish your pieces. All levels welcomed.
Friday AM Pottery Classes
Level: All Levels
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Rich Holck
Length: 10 weeks
Fridays, March 24 – May 26, 2023
Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $305 Member, $330 Non-member
(Includes $50 Materials/Firing Fee)
Modes of Clay will incorporate both wheel throwing and handbuilding techniques. It will also introduce ways of altering forms, decorating, and tips on handling the clay at each stage of the process; from wet on the wheel to glazing and firing. The class accepts all levels, but intermediate and advanced students will find much from which they may benefit.
Friday PM Pottery Classes
Level: All Levels
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Jessica Greet
Length: 10 weeks
Fridays, March 24 – May 26, 2023
Time: 1 – 4 pm
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $305 Member, $330 Non-member
(Includes $50 Materials/Firing Fee)
The Throwing with Confidence class will explore the possibilities of transforming the thrown object to fit individualized aesthetics. Students will learn beneficial studio tricks and tips. Weekly demonstrations will offer techniques that can be used to alter thrown forms for enhanced functionality.
Open Studio is available only to students (ages 16 and up) currently enrolled in a full semester ceramic class. Continue to work on your class projects during Open Studio. Tech support is available during some open studio times. (This option becomes available online during the process of enrolling for your class.)
Registration Fee: $40 Member, $45 Non-member