Pottery & Clay Classes

Learn fundamental handbuilding techniques or take the potter’s wheel for a spin in our pottery and clay classes. Explore finishing and glaze processes. Experience the versatility of clay. We have pottery classes for all ages and skill levels.

Students will learn different techniques for working in clay such as building with slabs, coils, and working on a potter’s wheel. You’ll learn surface decoration and glazing processes. Discover a bit of the science of ceramics, when the materials meet extreme heat.

Come prepared:

Bringing an apron and a towel to a clay class is recommended (adult classes)
Clothes that you're ok to get clay on
Closed-toed shoes
Waterbottle

Unless otherwise stated in a particular adult class, supplies are extra and a shopping list of materials will be discussed during the first class. All tools and supplies for kids classes are included.

Clay Creations - Kids

Young sculptors will be challenged with the exciting medium of clay!  Learn building techniques through fun and imaginative projects.  This class is designed to accommodate all skill levels.  All supplies and tools are included.

Clay Studio - Adult

This advanced clay-studio class deepens your skill development in throwing, handbuilding and glazing. Age: Adult Prerequisite: advanced throwing or handbuilding skills

Create Together - Clay (3 - 5 yrs + Adult)

Experience the fun and excitement of clay with your little one. Dig into the creative process together, learn basic clay working skills while encouraging experimentation and self-expression. Fuel your child's imagination and tap into your well of creativity.  All supplies and tools are included.

Create Together - Clay (6 - 17 yrs + Adult)

Connect as a family while working with clay. Together, you'll discover infinite creativity and develop your basic clay working skills. Work individually or collaborate as a family on projects that will challenge, engage and excite you! All supplies and tools are included.

Handbuilding with Clay Basics - Adult

Discover a variety of options in clay construction. Gather fresh ideas about form, function, and surface design through a variety of building methods. Glazing and decorating techniques will be shared.  No experience is necessary. Supplies are extra and available for purchase from the Arts Centre during your first class.

Handbuilding with Clay Advanced - Adult

Advance your handbuilding skills in our supportive studio environment. Set your own goals and pace. Combine your ideas with advice and expertise from your instructor to create exciting new work. Prerequisite: Handbuilding with Clay Basics - Adult. Supplies are extra and available for purchase from the Arts Centre during your first class.

Handbuilding for Teens

Construct expressive sculptures and pottery by hand using fundamental handbuilding techniques. Experiment with surface texture and detail work, then finish your pieces using colourful slips, glazes and paint. Supplies are included

Family Potter's Wheel

The family that throws together grows together! Work side-by-side on the potter's wheel. You'll both learn basic throwing techniques, watch demonstrations, and then put your pottery skills into practise. Previous clay experience is an asset, but not a prerequisite. Supplies are extra and available from the Arts Centre for purchase during your first class.

Preschool - Clay Discovery

Let your preschooler's imagination run wild creating mythical monsters and other captivating projects. In this class, they'll learn basic clay skills including pinch, coil, slab and hollow building. It's the perfect class for young creative minds. Six-year-olds that are not yet in grade one are welcome to join.

Potter's Wheel Basics - Adult

It's fascinating to see clay being transformed on the potter's wheel.  Develop your skills through throwing techniques, demonstrations and practise in this introductory course. Supplies are extra and available from the Arts Centre for purchase during your first class.

Potter's Wheel Intermediate - Adult

Now that you have more confidence with centering and pulling, further develop your wheel throwing skills and concentrate on more complex forms. Supplies are extra and available for purchase from the Arts Centre during your first class. Prerequisite: proficiency in centering, pulling, shaping, and trimming.

Potter's Wheel - Teens

Try your hand at the potter’s wheel! Learn to centre clay, create basic pottery forms and finish your pieces in a fun studio setting. Take this course multiple times to hone your wheelthrowing skills. All supplies are included.

Potter's Wheel Try It - Adult

Experience the excitement of working on the potter’s wheel in an open, supportive and socially inclusive environment. This is the perfect opportunity for educators, friends and couples to try their hand at this traditional practice. All supplies are included. Please note: This course is designed for you to try this art form before you commit. It does not include any take home pieces.

Potter's Wheel Advanced - Adult

The studio is a supportive place to learn and grow as an artist. You'll hone your skills on the potter's wheel with access to an instructor. Get passionate about pottery and start pursuing exciting personal projects. Prerequisite: Potter's Wheel - Intermediate – Adult. Supplies are extra and available from the Arts Centre for purchase during your first class.

Teapot Intensive

Steep yourself in one of the potter's ultimate challenges - the teapot. In this intensive class, you'll learn the fundamentals of the teapot including lips, lids, handles and spouts. Study what makes this form function and gain the skills to create your own teapot. Intermediate wheel throwing skills are required.

Calgary.ca privacy statement

The City of Calgary is committed to providing a website that respects your privacy. This statement summarizes the privacy policy and practices on the calgary.ca website and all associated systems, processes and applications under the direct control of The City of Calgary. The City of Calgary is subject to Alberta’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act.

Privacy overview

The City of Calgary (The City) does not automatically gather any personal information from you. This information is only obtained if you supply it voluntarily through contacting The City via email or online forms or by setting up a user account.

When you visit calgary.ca, The City’s web server automatically collects a limited amount of standard information essential to the operation and evaluation of The City’s website. This information includes:

the page from which you arrived,
the date and time of your page request,
the Internet Protocol (IP) address your computer is using to receive information,
the type and version of your browser, and
the name and size of the file you requested.

This information is not used to identify individuals who come to The City’s website. This information is only used to help The City assess its information services and is collected in compliance with Section 33 (c) of Alberta’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act.

Information Collected through the Feedback Forms or Service Requests

The personal information you submit through The City’s Customer Feedback Forms – including email address and contact information – is collected by The City’s Customer Service and Communications team solely for the purpose of responding to your information or service request.

This information is not disclosed except to authorized personnel (City staff or Contractors) for the purpose of addressing your feedback. Any personal information you submit to The City is secured once it reaches The City’s server. However, The City cannot guarantee the security of your information before it reaches The City’s server.

Cookies

Cookies are temporary files that may be placed on your hard drive while you visit a website. Cookies are used to track how visitors use calgary.ca, but The City does not store personal information through cookies, nor does The City collect personal information from you without your knowledge as you browse this website. Any cookies on calgary.ca are used to aid in the collection of anonymous statistical information such as:

browser type
screen size,
traffic patterns,
pages visited.

This information helps The City improve both calgary.ca and its service to citizens. It is not disclosed to any third parties. However, if you are concerned about cookies, you can adjust your web browser to reject all cookies. All site features with the exception of the interactive map should function normally if cookies are disabled.

Security and IP addresses

Your computer uses a unique IP address when browsing the Internet. The City may collect IP addresses to monitor any security breaches on calgary.ca and other online services. No attempt is made to identify users or their usage patterns unless unauthorized use of The City’s website is detected or is required for a law enforcement investigation. IP addresses are stored for a term that complies with The City’s existing auditing requirements.

Privacy and External Links

The calgary.ca website contains links to external sites that are not associated with The City. The City is not responsible for the content and the privacy practices of these other websites and The City encourages you to examine each site's privacy policy and disclaimers before providing any personal information.

More Information

If you do not feel comfortable completing our Contact Us/Feedback form or to request more information, please contact The City’s 311 service.

Browser Unsupported