Beginning Hand-Building Ceramics - 6 week class

Beginning Handbuilding Pottery: 6-Week Class

Please note: this 6-session class also includes 5 additional sessions of bench (practice) time.

Unleash your creativity and learn the timeless art of handbuilt ceramics! This six-week workshop introduces fundamental techniques for shaping clay without the wheel, making it perfect for beginners or anyone looking to explore a more sculptural, hands-on approach to pottery.

Through step-by-step instruction and guided projects, students will learn to:

Work with slabs, coils, and pinching methods

Build functional and decorative forms such as mugs, planters, and sculptural pieces

Use texture, carving, and surface design techniques

Apply underglazes and glazes to finish and personalize your work

Each session includes demonstrations, individual guidance, and plenty of open studio time to experiment and develop your own style. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have some unique, handbuilt ceramic pieces to take home and a solid understanding of clay construction techniques.

CLASS DATES AND TIMES: (please arrive 15 minutes early for the first session)

6 Tuesdays - class time

November 18th, and 25th

December 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd

6:30 - 9:30pm

5 Mondays- bench time (optional)

November 24th

December 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd

6:30 - 9:30pm

PRICING:

$400 - Non-Members

$360 - Members

$30 - Materials fee

ADDITIONAL CHARGES:

Glaze firing costs: 6 cents per cubic inch - glazes included. Bisque firing is included in clay costs.

PREREQUISITES:

This is open to anyone 16 and up. No experience necessary. Please wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT:

Your materials fee pays for your first bag of clay and a basic toolkit.

3 Shimpo RK-2 Potter’s wheels

3 Amaco No. 15 Potter’s Wheels

1 Creative Industries Clay Boss Wheel

Hand building work tables

Clay extruder

Variety of underglazes and glazes

3 different clay bodies and opportunity for speciality clays

Community hand building tools

Skutt’s tallest electric kiln

INSTRUCTOR BIO:

Matty is a sculptor and ceramicist originally from Boston. He received a Bachelor’s degree in studio art with a concentration in sculpture from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, where he also started the university’s only ceramics program. With 10 years of ceramics experience, he has worked for multiple ceramics studios between Massachusetts and Connecticut. Aside from ceramics, Matty has worked as a fabricator and studio assistant for multiple artists, as well as, large community-based public arts projects. He has been working at MakerSpace NYC since the fall of 2025 when he designed and built our ceramics studio which he now runs and operates.

REFUNDS/CANCELLATIONS:

Class size limited to 6 students. Minimum 2 students. We reserve the right to cancel the class if we do not have the minimum amount of students. If we cancel, we will refund you and notify you. You may cancel and get a refund up to seven days before the class. After that, refunds are contingent on us being able to fill your seat. Under no circumstances do we offer refunds to individuals who cancel on the same day. Please note, Eventbrite fees are non-refundable if you cancel.

LOCATION:

Makerspace NYC Brooklyn Army Terminal 140 58th St Building B, Unit 1C

Located on the first floor next to Pete's Restaurant

For detailed directions by car (free parking), subway or ferry go to:https://www.bklynarmyterminal.com/location