Classes and Workshops
Rise and Shine Wheel Throwing For Beginners +
with Shari Zabriskie
This fun morning class will introduce you to the fundamentals of throwing pots on the wheel. Over the course of eight weeks, learn and practice the techniques of clay preparation, centering, throwing, trimming, glazing, and more! This class is geared towards beginners, those continuing to work on their basic skills and those who are coming back to pottery after many years. . Demonstrations, discussions, coaching, and abundant practice time. Ages 16 and up.
Upcoming 8 week Sessions 2027:
January 12-March 2, Tuesdays 9am-Noon
$325 fee + $49 for each bag of clay used.
Daily practice time included.
email shabbazabba@yahoo.com to register!
Upcoming 6 week Session for Intermediates:
November 5,12 and 19 and December 3, 10 and 17
Thursdays 9am-Noon
Continued wheel work for folks who have taken at least two of my wheel classes. We will work on lids and galleries, sugar and creamer sets, handles, kitchen utensil holders, chip and dip plates and glazing.
$265 fee + $49 for each bag of clay used.
Daily practice time between 12-6 included.
email shabbazabba@yahoo.com to register!
Beginner+ Wheel Throwing
with Teta Hilsdon
Practice the basics of making pots on the wheel: centering, throwing bowls, cylinders, and plates, trimming, glazing, recycling clay and a few decorative techniques.
For complete beginners, those continuing work on their technical skills, or those coming back to pottery after many years. Demonstrations, discussions, coaching, and abundant practice time. Daily practice time is available to students (included in class fee) at Wheelhouse between 12:00 and 6:00 PM. Ages 16 and up.
2027 dates TBA
Email tetahilsdon@gmail.com to register!
Advanced Throwing Clinic:
This class is for intermediate throwers who are able to make basic forms of their choosing. Each session we'll be tackling a new topic, clinic-style, with demo, exercises, tips and tools, and coaching as students work on techniques to take their throwing to the next level.
All classes are 6:00pm-8:00 pm
Monday, November 30: Cylinders: higher, straighter, thinner
Tuesday, December 1: Bowls: the most challenging... gain proper techniques
Wednesday, December 2: Platters: double the clay you are using!
Thursday, December 3: Lids: four styles to focus on!
$60/session or $200 for the series.
Clay is not included.
email tetahilsdon@gmail.com to register!
Short Intro to Wheel Throwing:
This short class gives students an introduction to throwing a basic bowl (or two or three) on the wheel, then trimming in the second class and glazing in the third. It is by no means a thorough training, but for those with curiosity it will give you a thorough dip into the topic. If you love it, you'll be primed to sign up for an 8 or 10 week wheel class! If it's just a bucket list item, you're all set, and you'll have a couple finished pieces to bring home before Christmas.
Three classes: 6:00pm-8:30pm
Monday, December 7
Thursday, December 10
Monday, December 14
pick up finished work: Thursday, December 17 6pm
$180 per person, all inclusive
$180 per person all inclusive
Clay Birds, Torn, Textured Slab Bowls and Kurinuki; An Introduction to Working Clay by Hand.
with Shari Zabriskie
Explore different techniques in hand building in this four week introductory course. Each class will be project driven with demonstrations. Over the course of each week you have daily access to the studio to explore the project deeper, finding your own voice in clay. This class is geared towards curious beginners and is a great way to learn the material before jumping into a wheel class.
Four Tuesdays:
Week 1: pinching clay birds
Week 2: textured and torn slab bowls
Week 3: kurinuki cups (hollowed and cut from blocks of clay)
Week 4: glazing
Ages 16 and up.
Students have access to the studio every day between 12-6 for independent work
$220 plus $48 for a bag of clay
Thursdays 9am-Noon
January 7-January 28
email: shabbazabba@yahoo.com
Upcoming Workshops
Exploring Glaze!
with Meg Dougherty
What is glaze? What makes a glaze durable? Is this food safe? What are the best ways to apply glaze? In this workshop you will learn the basics of what glaze is, how it works, how to apply it and how to start making adjustments to ready mixed glazes. We will run three glaze experiments: layering glaze, combining ready mixed glazes and adjusting color. This class will offer you a few ways to play with your studio's glazes even if you don't have access to a glaze mixing lab.
Three Saturdays:
October 17, 24 and 31
9 AM-Noon
For ages 16 and up. Experience is necessary.
$250 plus materials (containers and mason stains, approx. $25)
For more information on what to prepare for class visit:
To register email:
Pinching as Throwing:
Hand Built Vessels
with John Dorsey
Looking to infuse a personal touch into your ceramics? Join us for this two day workshop where we'll explore the art of pinch pots with a wheel-throwing perspective. On day one, we'll create a variety of simple yet dynamic forms, including both symmetrical and asymmetrical bowls and cylinders. On day two we'll challenge our skills by combining these foundational shapes into more complex designs, such as pitchers, ewers, boxes and basket forms. This workshop is perfect for those looking to deepen their craft while experimenting with creative possibilities!
John Dorsey is a studio potter and teacher from Brattleboro, VT and Dedham, MA. He has been working in clay for over thirty years and teaches clay at Noble and Greenough School. His work has been shown internationally as well as across the country. He recently completed a residency at Taller Gingell in Barcelona, Spain. His work can be seen at Verdigris in downtown Brattleboro and at New Era Gallery in Vinalhaven, ME.
Saturday and Sunday
November 14 and 15
9 AM-Noon
For ages 16 and up. No wheel throwing experience necessary.
$200 plus clay. Students are welcome to work independently up until 6pm both days.
To register email:
Kurinuki:
Carved Out Cups
with Shari Zabriskie
Feeling Edgy? Earthy? Curious? Inspired by the Japanese tradition of hollowing out clay blocks we will explore the process of subtractive sculpture. Immerse yourself in the slow, meditative process of carving clay away as form reveals itself.
Class participants will have opportunity to create a pair of cups in this morning workshop.
Saturday December 5
9am-Noon
Materials and finish firing included.
No experience necessary.
Ages 16 and up
$110
To register email:
Clay Clocks
with Teta Hilsdon
Working with pre-rolled slab and the extensive collection of tools and supplies at Wheelhouse, you’ll design, texture, cut, and decorate two clocks. Teacher will show finished options, demonstrate making, and then coach students as they make their clocks. This project is fun and manageable for the whole family.
Saturday, December 12
9AM-Noon
Ages 16 and up, no experience necessary.
$100 includes all materials for one working clock, additional clocks $28/each
Pick up finished clocks on Saturday, December 19 at 11:30am
To register email:
Building with Slabs!
with Teta Hilsdon
Building with slabs is a fun and relatively easy way to make plates, trays, platters, and vases with beautiful textured patterns. Learn to use a slab roller to roll clay into a slab, cut, design, texture, form pieces, and glaze. We'll make flat and three dimensional pieces on forms. And we'll spend one class making free-form pieces. Class includes practice time during Wheelhouse's daily Open Studio. Once the class is over, you'll have the skills to work on your own at Wheelhouse using day passes.
January 2, 9, 16 and 23.
Saturdays, 9am – 12pm
For ages 16 and up. No experience necessary.
$250 plus clay ($48 per bag, includes glazes and firing). Price includes loaner tools.
To register email:
Exploring Glaze!
with Meg Dougherty
What is glaze? What makes a glaze durable? Is this food safe? What are the best ways to apply glaze? In this workshop you will learn the basics of what glaze is, how it works, how to apply it and how to start making adjustments to ready mixed glazes. We will run three glaze experiments: layering glaze, combining ready mixed glazes and adjusting color. This class will offer you a few ways to play with your studio's glazes even if you don't have access to a glaze mixing lab.
Three Saturdays:
March 13, 20 and 27
9 AM-Noon
For ages 16 and up. Experience is necessary.
$250 plus materials (containers and mason stains, approx. $25)
For more information on what to prepare for class visit:
To register email:
.jpeg)
Intro to Painting with Underglazes
with Deb Maynard
If you love the look of painted pottery but think "I could never do that" - this workshop is for you - because you can! We'll focus on the craft (not the art) and play with tiles to learn techniques. Topics include: what our brushes can do for us; enhancing designs with sgraffito or designer liner; painting on greenware vs. bisque; palettes and color wheels; dividing and conquering the area to be decorated; and transferring designs from paper to the clay surface.
April 17
Saturday 9am – 12pm
For ages 16 and up.
$115 includes materials and firing
For more information and/or to register email: