Pottery Classes

Next session of pottery classes begins the week of January 5, 2026

Pottery classes at Throwing Mud Gallery welcome adults of all skill levels, from complete beginners to those with more experience. This mix fosters a supportive and collaborative learning environment. Instruction is tailored to meet your individual needs: beginners will learn the basics of wheel throwing and explore hand-building techniques, while more experienced students can build on their existing skills with guidance and flexible learning options.

Current students get priority registration, and we keep a running waitlist for all classes. Call 253-254-7961 to be added, and we’ll notify you when a spot opens up.

Ready to take a class?

It’s important for new students to attend all 6 classes during their first 6-week session. Since we have a limited number of students per class, when you register for a class, that is a spot we can’t offer to another person. For this reason, please take careful note of our cancellation policies.

Beginner pottery students typically spend the first few weeks working on the basic skills of centering, coning up and down, and pulling up the walls of a bowl.  You will also be introduced to some hand-building projects, which includes learning how to use the slab roller.  Trimming your pottery is usually the focus by the 5th week of the session.  In week 6 you’ll learn how to glaze your own pots! Our classes are open to age 18 and up.

Our 6-week session includes instruction once a week, glazes and firing of up to 15 items, plus we give you an additional 18 hours of open studio time to practice and work on your projects.  All students receive a discount on their first 25# bag of clay.

Registration fees*

• $270 for first 6-week session
• $255 for returning students
• $245 for students who have taken classes for 8 full sessions in our studio. 1+ year students receive glazing and firing of up to 20 items and 24 hours of open studio time.

*Effective October 1, 2025 we are required to collect sales tax on our classes.

Students using the pottery wheel need a Kemper basic tool set, a round rib, and box for the first day of class, which can be purchased when registering for class. All new students are required to register in person. This gives you an opportunity to tour the studio, ask any questions about the class, and we’ll explain how to use your open studio time. We do give priority registration to current students and all classes have limited availability. Tuition is due before class starts.  Your spot is not reserved without full payment.

We have some videos to acquaint you with our studio. Watch the videos on clean up process and Steps to Throwing a Pottery Bowl prior to your first class. It will help familiarize yourself with our studio and what you can expect to learn your first day.

Policies

Keep in mind that pottery is a process that takes time—patience and persistence are key. The biggest challenge is often just getting past the initial learning curve (yes, the centered hump!). It’s normal to feel a bit frustrated in the beginning, but if you stick with it, enjoy the experience, and stay open to learning, you’ll find pottery to be a rewarding and creative journey you can continue to grow with.

Please wear appropriate clothing (we provide aprons), trim your fingernails, tie back long hair and remove rings, bracelets and watches.

Pottery does involve some physical activity. You’ll need to be able to lift and carry a 25-pound bag of clay, and during class, expect to be seated at the pottery wheel for over an hour at a time.

Classes are small and as much individual attention as possible is given to each students.

Clean up is extremely important. Following proper cleaning procedures in work areas will be very effective in maintaining a safe environment. Once learned, our clean up procedure is easy, quick and sewage friendly. Please work with us to maintain a healthy pottery studio for everyone and to conserve water and keep the plumbing clay free.

Throwing Mud Gallery is not responsible for the loss or damage of work or personal property. All pots, fired and unfired, are fragile. Handle everything with care in the pottery studio.

Anyone ending their session is responsible for picking up their tools, excess clay, bisque and fired pots within two weeks after the session ends. Students who are not continuing have a 2-hour grace period to finish up their items in progress (i.e., trimming, glazing and firing), but may not make any new items after their last class.  Items left longer than 3 weeks become the property of Throwing Mud Gallery.

Cancellation Policy

• When you sign up for a class, you’re committing to attend all sessions. If you need to miss a class, we’ll do our best to find a spot for you in another class that week—but please note, make-up spots are not guaranteed.

• If you cancel less than two weeks before the session starts, a $50 cancellation fee will apply—unless we’re able to fill your spot. (Please note: all cancelled credit card charges are subject to a 4% processing fee.)

• We do not offer refunds if you drop out less than one week before the class begins or after the session has started. Unfortunately, there are no exceptions to this policy.

• Missed classes or unused studio time cannot be carried over to future sessions.

Parking

4 spaces are available in back of the building. There is free parking on the street and a nearby free parking lot.  Please enter the studio through the back door if at all possible.  The front door is locked in the evening when the gallery is closed.