Intermediate Pottery

Duration: 6–8 weeks
Prerequisite: Completion of Beginner’s Clay Play or prior hand-building experience

Course Overview:

This course deepens technical understanding and introduces wheel-throwing. Students work on refining form and function, learning about kiln processes and more advanced surface techniques.

Course Content:

Week 1: Studio Practice and Clay Refinement

• Clay body selection

• Recycling and reclaiming clay

• Preparing for wheel-throwing

Week 2: Introduction to the Pottery Wheel

• Centering clay

• Throwing cylinders and bowls

• Trimming and finishing

Week 3: Hand-Building Expansion

• Complex slab and coil combinations

• Lidded containers and sculptural forms

Week 4: Form and Function

• Mugs, pitchers, and handles

• Considerations in design and usability

Week 5: Surface Treatment and Decoration

• Sgraffito, mishima, and resist techniques

• Layering slips and oxides

Week 6: Kilns and Firing Techniques

• Bisque vs. glaze firing

• Understanding firing schedules

• Loading/unloading best practices

Week 7–8: Independent Projects & Final Glazing

• Create a cohesive set of functional ware

• Group critique and exhibition