Our First 2025 Classes Are Posted! Pottery Wheel, Handbuilding, One-Day Workshops, Weekdays And Weekends... Take Your Pick!
The holidays are fast approaching now, and as we work hard to make those as special as we can, we are looking forward to kicking off 2025 with a plethora of fantastic new clay classes to fit every schedule!
And we’re not wasting any time! Our first classes of the year, both wheel and handbuilding, start the very first week in January, so read on!
The holidays are fast approaching now, and as we work hard to make those as special as we can (we still have one 1-day ornament-making workshop left, a polymer clay workshop for adults and families, on Thursday, December 19, from 1:00–4:00 pm, so don’t miss out!), we are looking forward to kicking off 2025 with a plethora of fantastic new clay classes to fit every schedule!
And we’re not wasting any time! Our first classes of the year, both wheel and handbuilding, start the very first week in January, so read on!
Wheel classes starting in January:
The pieces in this photo are made on our pottery wheels and fresh from the kiln!
Whether you’ve never sat down at a wheel before or if you’ve already had plenty of experience but still need help with things like centering, pulling up walls, trimming or putting on handles, these pottery wheel classes designed for all levels of beginner are the ones for you!
Looking for something fun and different to do on Friday evenings? Then join Valya Boutenko for our first class of the year. This Pottery Wheel For All-Level Beginners course runs weekly from 5:00–7:15 pm, from January 3–February 28(with a week off for Valentine’s Day, which happens to fall on a Friday this year!).
Looking to shake the January doldrums with a weekend class instead? Then join Mary Tuttle on the first weekend of the new year. She’ll be teaching a Pottery Wheel For All-Level Beginners class on Saturday afternoons from 3:00–5:00 pm, from January 4–February 12. There will be plenty of fun to be had!
Would you prefer to save that fun to give you a little pick-me-up midweek as we roll into 2025? Mary will be teaching the same Pottery Wheel For All-Level Beginners class on Wednesday evenings from 6:00–8:00 pm, January 8–February 12. No better way to get past hump day!
Are you already comfortable with working on the wheel?
Next level fun!
Then join Valya Boutenko for Intermediate Wheel Throwing, Tuesday evenings from 5:00–7:15, January 7–February 25. This class is a good fit for students who can throw and trim complete vessels, with handles, unassisted. In this class you will practice throwing plates as well as elegant, rounded vases. As Valya writes, “Together, we will be tackling the more challenging forms and incorporating design elements that add interest and make our work shine.”
Handbuilding classes and workshops starting in January:
Shake off that post-holiday torpor with an intensive workshop starting the first full week in January!
Join our very own Cary Dahl for Handbuilding A Kitchen Suite – A Four-Day Intensive Workshop, from 9:00–12:00 noon, Tuesday through Thursday, January 7, 8 & 9, with glazing on Thursday, January 23. No prior clay experience required!
Have you ever wished your kitchen ceramics pieces matched each other? Or even better, that they were customized to your kitchen’s colors? Now’s your chance!
Over the course of four 3-hour sessions we will create several unique functional pieces using slab building techniques. Possible projects include a butter dish, spoon rest, pitcher, sponge holder and napkin holder (all food, microwave and dishwasher safe).
Would you rather spread out the fun? Then maybe a weekly course is more your style.
Absolute beginners are welcome!
Cary also will be teaching Handbuilding Basics: A Four-Week Workshop, running on Thursday evenings from 5:30–8:30 pm, January 30–February 20.
Students will explore some of the essential techniques of handbuilding, making several unique functional pieces to take home. You will build confidence working with both soft and leather-hard clay, and explore a variety of surface texturing and glazing techniques. Possible projects will include a serving dish, an angular vase, and a utensil caddy(all food, oven, microwave and dishwasher safe).
Whether you’re new to clay or have already done some handbuilding in the past, this class promises to be fun and to give you plenty of lovely pieces to take home!
Short on time? Well, this year we are also introducing our first one-day pottery workshops! And we couldn’t be more excited, because the first is a collaboration between Staunton Clayground and local specialty cut flower grower, Quince & Burdock.
Make a vase specially designed to showcase tulips in all their glory!
You may know Erin Wright from the Staunton Farmers’ Market, and now she is coming into our studio to partner with us for A Tulip Vase With A Hydroponic Tulip Bouquet: A One-Day Handbuilding Workshop. Choose from three possible workshop times, Sunday afternoon, January 26, 2:30–5:30 pm, Tuesday evening, January 28, 5:30–8:30 pm, and Wednesday morning, January 29, 9:00 am–12:00 noon.
Over the course of 3 hours, through a combination of slab and sculpture, you will build and decorate your creation with handmade flower motifs. You will choose a glaze color from several options, and pick up your glazed and fired vase, complete with tulips, in time for Valentine’s Day! Erin Wright of Quince & Burdock will be on hand at vase pick-up to provide you with your bouquet, talk about tulip care and answer questions about hydroponic gardening. Pick-up for all three sessions will be on will be on Wednesday, February 12, at 5:30 pm.
What a way to wrap up the month. And those are just our January offerings! If you’re busy the first month of the year, well, our offerings scheduled to start in February are already posted on our Classes, Courses and Workshops page.
While all of these are open to people ages 14+ (and the handbuilding classes welcome young people age 12+, as long as they are working alongside an accompanying adult), we have not forgotten about our smaller potters!
Our kids’ workshops for early 2025 are currently in development and will be coming soon, too!
So keep watching this space and, meanwhile, find a handmade ceramic mug, fill it with your favorite warm beverage (I’m opting for some spiced black tea!), and stay cozy! 🧡
There’s nothing quite like taking a sip out of a mug made with love 🥰
(Our members might recognize these glazes! A quick-dipped combo of Dappled light and Mediterranean Mist for the win!)
Last Call For 2024 Wheel Classes! Our final wheel classes of the year start this week (and one starts today!)
Last call for 2024 Wheel Classes! Our final wheel classes of the year start this week (and one starts today!) All of these classes are great opportunities to learn, play, have fun and make handmade gifts this holiday season! Come clay with us!
It’s that time of the year! Thinking ahead to the holidays, putting things in the calendar and realizing that they’re going to be happening in 2025! It’s hard to believe. However, there is still so much of 2024 to enjoy! The autumn is still in its full glory and, I don’t know about you, but all of my favorite holidays are yet to come!
What else is still to come? Our last wheel classes of 2024!
We still have spaces in two Pottery Wheel Classes for All-Level Beginners. Join us Wednesday evenings from 6:00–8:00 pm, from October 20–December 11 (with November 27 off for Thanksgiving week).
Or, jump in on our last wheel weekend class of the year, starting today! It will run Saturday afternoons from 3:00–5:00, from October 26–December 7 (with a break on November 30 for Thanksgiving weekend) and there are still two open spots waiting to be claimed! It’s not too late!
Then, for those of you who already know how to throw a basic cylinder or bowl form, we have Beyond Basics on the Pottery Wheel, starting this week and running Tuesday evenings, from 5:00–7:15 pm, October 29–December 17. You can still grab your spot!
All of these classes are great opportunities to learn, play, have fun and make handmade gifts this holiday season!
Also, don’t forget that next weekend is the start of our next Kids’ Workshop: Build A Pinch-Pot Turkey, taking place over two Saturdays, November 2 & 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, for kids ages 7–12.
More holiday workshops, along with 2025 wheel and handbuilding classes, are coming soon, so keep an eye on our Classes, Courses & Workshops page and stay tuned for more fun!
Wishing you all a great weekend, and hope to see you soon at the Staunton Clayground!
Our First Polymer Clay Workshop, Coming Saturday! Plus, Three New Pottery Wheel Classes Before The End Of October!
A One-Day Polymer Clay Workshop, Three Pottery Wheel Classes (Beginner and Intermediate) and Kids' Holiday Workshops. So much is going on at Staunton Clayground. Come clay with us!
November is less than two weeks away, but we have three new pottery wheel classes starting up before the end of October, plus our first-ever one-day polymer clay workshop! Read on to learn more! Plus, don’t forget about our upcoming kids’ holiday workshops! So much is going on at Staunton Clayground. Come clay with us!
A polymer clay “Desk Friend” made by Lainie Mabbitt of Second Stories Art, our newest instructor at Staunton Clayground!
November is less than two weeks away, but we have three new pottery wheel classes starting up before the end of October, plus our first-ever one-day polymer clay workshop! Read on to learn more!
The leaves are really starting to turn now. With this beautiful weather and fall colors, our town is really at its best! It is getting chilly though, so if you want to take a break for some indoor activities, our cozy studio has plenty of fun activities and gift-making opportunities for you!
Whether you have always wanted to try your hand at throwing pottery on the wheel and never had a chance or have you spent some time on the wheel but want an opportunity to gain confidence and hone your skills, our wheel classes for all levels of beginner potters are going to be a good fit for you! And two, both taught by the marvelous Mary Tuttle, are starting before Halloween!
Looking for a weekend class? As of today, we still have a few spots left in our Pottery Wheel For All-Level Beginners, taking place Saturday afternoons, October 26–December 7, 3:00–5:00 pm (with Sat., Nov. 30 off for Thanksgiving weekend).
Prefer a weeknight class to wind down after a long day? There is still limited space available in our Pottery Wheel For All-Level Beginners: Wednesday evenings, October 30–December 11, 6:00–8:00 pm (with Wed., Nov. 27 off for Thanksgiving week).
Everything you make in these classes will be ready in time for Christmas and the December holidays!
And the same is true of our next wheel class for intermediate wheel throwers, which is also starting before the end of the month: Beyond Basics On The Pottery Wheel with the fantastic Valya Boutenko, running Tuesday evenings from 5:00–7:15 p.m., October 29–December 17, 2024.
The class is a good fit for students who are somewhat familiar with working on the wheel, who can throw a basic cylinder and a simple bowl form.
Are you too busy right now to commit to a longer-form class? Looking for a one-day workshop? We’ve got that, too!
This will be the Staunton Clayground teaching debut of the incredibly original and versatile local artist Lainie Mabbitt of Second Stories Art. Join her for an Introduction to Polymer Clay – Make an Inspirational Desk Friend: Saturday, October 26, 9 a.m.–12 noon. Come and enjoy tea and cookies and a chance to make a one-of-a-kind gift, a “Desk Buddy” to brighten your desk or the desk of someone you love!
Last but not least, don’t forget about our new kids’ programming! There are still spaces in both of our upcoming kids’ workshops!
Build a Pinch-Pot Turkey! Saturday mornings, 10:00–12:00 noon, November 2 and November 16 (Ages 7–12) and The Penguins Are Coming! Saturday afternoons, 2:00–3:30, November 23 and December 7 (Ages 6–12).
So much fun to be had! And stay tuned, because we’ve got some special one-day holiday workshops lined up for November and December, perfect for family fun and gift-making! More news coming soon. Meanwhile, enjoy those leaves and some mulled cider! I think I’m going to go warm some up right now 🥰
See you soon at the Staunton Clayground!
Three New Wheel-Throwing Classes Starting in July! Two For Beginners, One "Beyond Basics"
Staunton Clayground has three new wheel classes starting in July! Two for beginners and one for going beyond basics on the wheel. We are also welcoming two new teachers, Valya Boutenko and Mary Tuttle. Check out the post to see all the details!
Hello Friends of the Staunton Clayground!
We are so excited that so many people in our community are so eager to learn to throw pottery on the wheel, and we want to make sure that you can! So, we have added 3 new wheel classes, all starting in July! The first two are for beginners of all levels:
Two different time slots, two different formats, two different teachers!
The first, which will be held on Wednesday evenings, from 5:00–7:15 pm, for eight weeks starting on July 24, for a total of 18 hours, will be taught by Valya Boutenko, who is joining us for the first time as a teacher with this class! Click here to learn more and claim a spot!
The second will take place on Saturday afternoons, from 3:00–5:00* pm, on July 27, August 3, 10, 17 and 24 (*except for the Aug. 10 session, which will run from 5:00–7:00 pm; a break for Labor Day weekend is built into the schedule). This twelve-hour course will be taught by another brand new member of the Staunton Clayground team, Mary Tuttle. Here’s the link to read the details and grab a place in this class!
We are very happy to welcome these new instructors to our team!
The third class, Beyond Basics On The Pottery Wheel, is an intermediate class for students who are somewhat familiar with working on the wheel.
Designed and taught by Valya Boutenko, whose pottery is featured in the photos!
The class is a good fit for students who can throw a basic cylinder and a simple bowl form. In this class we will practice throwing plates as well as elegant, rounded vases. Together, we will be tackling the more challenging forms and incorporating design elements that add interest and make our work shine. Also taught by Valya Boutenko, it will run on Tuesday evenings, from 5:00–7:15 p.m., July 30–Sept. 17 (18 hours and eight weeks in all).
We hope you will jump in and enjoy these classes! After all, a cool clay studio is a great way to beat the heat during those dog days of August (or July… or September)!
Meanwhile, we’re already hard at work planning out a super-fun roster of fall courses and workshops! Stay tuned!
See you soon here at the Staunton Clayground! 😃
New Modular Workshop Series Coming in June & July! Surface Decoration for Wheel-Thrown Vessels: Take One, Two or All Three
Get ready for an exciting series of three modular nine-hour workshops with local potter and Staunton Clayground instructor Nicole Eyerman Hill (@eyerman.art), focusing on different surface decoration techniques applied to wheel-thrown work. Pick just one, two or take all three in a row to develop and add a whole new portfolio of creative skills to your pottery creation (15% discount on a future class or workshop for people who sign up for all three classes!)
Get ready for an exciting series of three modular nine-hour workshops with local potter and Staunton Clayground instructor Nicole Eyerman Hill (@eyerman.art), focusing on different surface decoration techniques applied to wheel-thrown work. Pick just one, two or take all three in a row to develop and add a whole new portfolio of creative skills to your pottery creation (15% discount on a future class or workshop for people who sign up for all three classes!). Participants must already have experience with the wheel (be able to throw a 4-inch-tall cylinder unassisted). First workshop kicks off on June 11, so grab your spots now!
Students will first focus on making mugs with a design and shape that lend themselves to sgraffito decoration. They will then move on to learning how to use this technique to decorate their vessels, using a variety of carving tools on colored slips and underglazes applied to the surface of the clay body.
Students will focus on making bowls with an interior surface adorned with painted-on underglaze. This is a fun and practical way to add decoration to the inside of a bowl while still allowing it to be used as functional tableware, if desired, since the underglaze is then sealed with a layer of clear mid-fire glaze to make it water-tight and food-safe.
Students will focus on throwing small vases with slightly thicker than usual walls, making it possible to carve out faceting or other designs once the vessels are leather-hard. This is an interesting way to add interest to the surface of any piece, and can be done either on plain clay as a way to show off the effects of particular glazes or in combination with colored-slip or underglaze decoration applied before clear-glazing.
We hope you’ll come and clay!
Looking for something to do next week? Speaking of workshops, there’s still one spot left in our Sculptural Slab Creations workshop, starting this coming Tuesday. This is a handbuilding workshop that is suitable for people with no clay experience as well as returning potters.
Stay tuned for more upcoming classes & workshops, coming very soon!
Meanwhile, a lovely Memorial Day weekend to all of you from all of us at Staunton Clayground.