Discover the joy of working with clay in 577’s dynamic pottery studio, where creativity, learning, and community come together. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced potter, our classes offer hands-on opportunities to explore new techniques and refine your skills. With access to three distinct kilns—wood, raku, and electric—participants can experience a range of firing methods that bring their work to life.
Our classes encourage artistic growth in a supportive and inspiring environment. Participants who complete the adult six-week pottery course gain access to independent studio time, allowing for continued exploration and creativity.
Join us and become part of a thriving community of makers dedicated to craftsmanship and discovery.
Upcoming Classes
January classes open for registration on Wednesday, November 19 at 9am. Click HERE to view a full list of upcoming classes.
Clay Penguin Candy Dish
Monday, November 10 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm
*This class is open to adults 18 and over; no prior clay experience is needed.
Add a touch of winter charm to your home or office with this fun and creative pottery class. Open to all skill levels, this class will guide you through making your very own penguin-themed candy dish—perfect for holiday treats or as a whimsical decoration.
Your instructor will guide you through building a penguin with simple pinch-pot techniques and help you create a small matching bowl. Once the main structure is complete, you’ll have the opportunity to personalize your penguin with accessories such as cozy scarves, hats, or earmuffs.
To finish, you’ll decorate your piece with colorful underglazes to bring your penguin to life. Our staff will then apply a final clear glaze after firing, ensuring your candy dish is shiny, durable, and ready for use. When all the finishing touches are complete, expect your penguin to be ready for pickup in 2 to 3 weeks, and we’ll notify you by email.
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Holiday Cookie Plates
Friday, November 14 ~ 9am to 10:30am
*This class is open to adults 18 and over; no prior clay experience is needed.
Join us for a yearly favorite at 577 as you create two medium round holiday cookie plates—one to keep and one to gift, or both to keep if you prefer. With guidance from your instructor, you’ll roll out slabs of clay, add textures and decorative details, and optionally paint highlights.
This welcoming class is suited for all skill levels and offers a thoughtful way to add handmade charm to your holiday season.
To finish, our staff will apply a clear glaze and fire your plates, making them food-safe and durable. They’ll be ready for pickup in about 2 to 3 weeks, and we’ll email you when they’re ready.
577 Staff Instructor: Julie Beutler
Clay Thumbprint Tree
Monday, December 1~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm
*This class is open to adults 18 and over; no prior clay experience is needed.
Dive into the fun of crafting your own cone-shaped tree using slab and ball techniques in this festive evening class. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to master this technique, bringing your tree to life. No clay experience is needed. Your instructor will walk you through each step and discuss your options for finishing, as these can be used during the holiday season or left green for year-round enjoyment.
Once finished, your tree will be fired and glazed in green or white (your choice) and fired again by 577 staff. You will receive an email when they are ready for pick up, estimated 14 to 18 days later. This class is perfect for all levels, no prior clay experience is required.
577 Staff Instructor: Julie Beutler
Clay Snowpeople
Thursday, December 4 ~ 5:30pm to 7pm
*This class is open to adults 18 and over; no prior clay experience is needed.
Celebrate the season in this fun and hands-on class as you create your very own adorable snowperson using classic pinch pot techniques. This charming winter character is perfect for gifting or adding a touch of personality to your seasonal décor.
Your instructor will guide you through the basics of building the body and demonstrate a variety of ways to add scarves, hats, mittens, and other whimsical details. Participants will have the opportunity to paint their accessories (hat, scarf, nose, etc.) using underglazes. After the first firing, staff will glaze each piece in clear to preserve the snowy white clay body, then fire them again. You’ll receive an email when your pieces are ready for pickup—estimated 14 to 18 days later—just in time to show off your cool creation.
This class is perfect for all levels—no prior clay experience needed. Come play in the clay and enjoy a little holiday magic.
577 Staff Instructor: Julie Beutler
Adult Pottery 6-Week Course
Wednesdays, November 12, 19, 26; December 3, 10, 17 ~ 9:30am to 11:30am
*This class is open to adults 18 and over, no prior clay experience is needed.
Join us for this comprehensive adult pottery class. This multiple-week class is for adult beginners through advanced potters – all levels are welcome. This class is the pre-requisite class needed for many of our pottery classes at The 577 Foundation.
Open to students 18 and over, this class offers in-depth demos followed immediately by your own work time to create and have fun. You will be able to try all hand-building methods like pinch, coil, slab, and extruded techniques, plus a chance at the wheel. Finally, we will learn about glazing. Class is built around learning one skill each week.
All supplies and firings are included. Come play in the clay!
577 Staff Instructors: Julie Beutler, Pottery Studio Manager and Ceramic Artist & Alison Buchanan, Pottery Coordinator
Family Pottery: Plates for Santa & Reindeer (Ages 5-8/Adult 18+)
Saturday, November 8 ~ 2pm to 4pm
Bring the holiday magic to life in this festive family pottery class. In this workshop, children ages 5 to 8 and their accompanying adult (18+) will work together to create two special Christmas snack-sized plates—one for Santa’s cookies and one for the reindeer’s carrots. The result is something to cherish, as these handmade keepsakes are sure to become a treasured part of your family’s Christmas traditions for years to come.
Guided by your instructor, families will cut plate shapes from pre-rolled clay slabs and place them into molds. From there, you’ll decorate with festive stamps, textures, and personalized words or messages. Once the designs are complete, you’ll use colorful underglazes to paint your creations, making each plate truly unique.
Staff will glaze and fire the plates after class, ensuring food-safe, beautifully finished pieces. Expect pickup in about two to three weeks, and we’ll send an email when they’re ready. This class is designed for youth ages 5-8 with an accompanying adult (18+).
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Youth Pottery: Clay Igloo Diorama (Ages 7-17)
Tuesday, November 11 ~ 4:30pm to 6pm
This class is perfect for the kiddo in your life who loves winter. Young makers will create a pinch pot and transform it into a charming igloo with just a few easy steps. Next, they’ll craft an “ice slab” base and add playful decorations to make each igloo one-of-a-kind.
Demos will include how to make penguins, snowmen, ladders, polar bears, campfires, and other winter-inspired creations. Participants will add color with underglazes during class, and staff will apply the final glaze after the bisque firing. Pottery will be ready for pick-up in about two to three weeks, and an email notification will be sent when it is ready.
Class Notes: This class is open to children ages 7 to 17. No prerequisite or experience is required. Adults are not required to attend youth pottery classes. Youth participants may be dropped off at the beginning of class and picked up at the scheduled end time.
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Family Pottery: Snowpeople! (Ages 7-17/Adult 18+)
Monday, November 24 ~ 4:30pm to 6pm
Get into the winter spirit with this fun and festive pottery project. In this family class, children ages 7–17 and their accompanying adult (18+) will each create a clay snowperson using simple pinch pot techniques. These handmade snowpeople will be a charming seasonal keepsake to display year after year.
Learn to shape cheerful snowpeople and add fun details, then craft accessories like scarves, hats, or earmuffs to give each piece personality. Once the designs are complete, you’ll decorate the accessories with colorful underglazes to make every snowperson unique.
Staff will apply a final clear glaze and complete the firing after class, ensuring beautifully finished, durable pieces. Expect pickup in about two to three weeks, and we’ll send an email when they’re ready. This class is designed for youth ages 7-17 with an accompanying adult (18+).
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Youth Pottery: Winter Seal Sculpture (Ages 7-17)
Tuesday, December 2 ~ 4:30pm to 6pm
Make a splash this winter as your kiddo creates their very own adorable seal! In this fun, hands-on pottery class, they’ll shape and decorate their seal using simple techniques—no experience needed. Each child will learn step-by-step how to form their seal and bring it to life with fun details and personality. Add a hat, scarf, or bow tie to give your seal a festive touch!
Once sculpted, everyone will paint their creation with colorful underglazes. After class, our staff will apply a clear glaze and fire it, so your shiny new seal will be ready to take home and display—a perfect winter keepsake or cheerful seasonal decoration. Pottery will be ready for pick-up in about two to three weeks, and you’ll receive an email notification when it’s ready.
Class Notes: This class is open to children ages 7 to 17. No prerequisite or experience is required. Adults are not required to attend youth pottery classes. Youth participants may be dropped off at the beginning of class and picked up at the scheduled end time.
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Family Pottery: Penguin Snack Bowl (Ages 5-6/Adult 18+)
Friday, December 5 ~ 9:30am to 11am
Waddle into winter fun with this adorable family pottery workshop! Designed for children ages 5 to 6 and their accompanying adult (18+), this class is a perfect introduction to working with clay, creating a keepsake you’ll treasure.
Guided by your instructor, families will follow a step-by-step demonstration to form an adorable little penguin using simple pinch pot techniques. Each family will receive a pre-made medium-sized thrown bowl, crafted by our pottery staff, ready for you to decorate or choose a glaze to have it dipped in.
Your penguin will be placed inside to create a charming snack bowl. Once your sculpture is complete, you’ll bring it to life with colorful underglazes. After the workshop, our staff will apply a final glaze to finish your creation. Expect pickup in about two to three weeks, and we’ll send an email when they’re ready. This class is designed for youth ages 5-6 with an accompanying adult (18+).
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Family Pottery: Clay Tic Tac Toe (Ages 7-17/Adult 18+)
Thursday, December 11 ~ 4:30pm to 6pm
Play and creativity come together in this fun family pottery workshop! In this family class, children ages 7–17 and their accompanying adult (18+) will design and build their very own tic tac toe game set—perfect for playtime and display. Families can choose to each make their own smaller boards or collaborate on one larger board together.
Guided by your instructor, participants will begin with a quick demonstration on how to form their boards using pre-rolled clay slabs, along with examples for inspiration. From there, you’ll shape your board and game pieces, adding your own creative twist to the design. Once complete, you’ll have the opportunity to decorate your tic-tac-toe set with colorful underglazes or select a single glaze color for our staff to dip and finish after firing. The result—a one-of-a-kind handmade game you’ll enjoy for years to come!
Staff will apply a final clear glaze and complete the firing after class, ensuring beautifully finished, durable pieces. Expect pickup in about two to three weeks, and we’ll send an email when they’re ready. This class is designed for youth ages 7-17 with an accompanying adult (18+).
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Happy Lil’ Gnome
Monday, November 17 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Prerequisite: To register for this class, participants must have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6-Week Class.
Spend a relaxing evening in this cheerful pottery class as you create a happy little gnome. Perfect for all experience levels, this project makes a whimsical decoration to enjoy year after year.
Guided by your instructor, you’ll learn how to apply slab-building techniques to create a gnome, shaping and refining it with a mold. Add personality with fun accessories such as hats, scarves, or beards full of character.
Once your gnome is built, you’ll use colorful underglazes to paint and decorate it in festive style. The final clear glaze will be completed on your own time after the class, giving you the opportunity to put the finishing touch on your holiday creation.
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Holiday Votive & Tea Light Holders
Tuesday, November 18 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Prerequisite: To register for this class, participants must have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6-Week Class.
This brand-new class at 577 invites you to enjoy a festive, hands-on clay experience. You’ll explore the possibilities of clay through slab, coil, and pinch techniques, with the option to try a bit of wheel throwing.
Guided by your instructor, you’ll begin with a demonstration and then work step-by-step to create two to three charming holiday votive or tea light holders. Craft whimsical designs such as stars, polar bears, snowflakes, trees, or snowpeople. Which will be your favorites that you bring to life?
Whether you’ve just completed the six-week class or are an experienced potter, this workshop is a joyful way to celebrate the season with creativity. The final clear glaze will be applied on your own during independent studio time, giving you the opportunity to put the finishing touch on your holiday creations.
577 Staff Instructor: Julie Beutler
Throwing Demos and Q&A
Tuesday, November 25 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Prerequisite: To register for this class, participants must have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6-Week Class.
Join Julie for an in-depth wheel-throwing demonstration packed with techniques, tips, and time for your questions. She’ll cover a wide range of forms and processes, starting with the basics of cylinders and how they evolve into vases, pitchers, and bottles. You’ll also see demonstrations of two different bowl forms, bottles with collaring, plates, baking dishes, lidded pieces, altering techniques, and even a quick session on trimming.
Throughout the evening, she’ll explain not only what she’s doing but also how she positions her arms, hands, and body to achieve success on the wheel. With nearly 35 years of wheel experience in both creating and teaching, this opportunity to watch, question, and learn promises to be a special experience.
This demo class is ideal for any skill level—from those curious about starting wheel throwing to experienced potters looking to refine their techniques. Come watch, learn, and ask questions to build your confidence at the wheel.
577 Staff Instructor: Julie Beutler
Half Day Throwing
Saturday, November 8 ~ 9am to 12pm
Friday, December 12 ~ 9am to 12pm
Prerequisite: To register for this class, participants must have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6-Week Class.
Practice your skills on the wheel in this intensive study class. Class is set around your individual goals but the focus is to help you gain confidence on the wheel.
Start the session with a couple of short demonstrations from Alison, then you will have the rest of the time to work. Don’t worry if you feel a little rusty, your instructor will rotate between students to give advice and help. Prior to class, you will also receive an email with links to throwing videos to help rekindle that memory of throwing on the potter’s wheel.
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Supervised Indie Time
Friday, November 7 ~ 9:30am to 11:30am
Tuesday, December 16 ~ 9:30am to 11:30am
Prerequisite: To register for this class, participants must have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6-Week Class.
Supervised Indie Time sessions are perfect for folks who have recently completed the 6-week adult class and need additional time with your instructors or for those needing a refresher after a short break from the studio.
Join us for these casual supervised classes perfect for you to work independently on your projects where you can use the table, extruder, slab roller, and even the wheel. If you need some tips on projects or ideas you are working on, Julie or Alison will be in the studio to help answer questions, remind you of techniques or where things are, and just be there to help give you inspiration on a project.
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan or Julie Beutler
Hybrid Pottery to Go – Raku
Sessions Available Each Month
November Firing: Pick-up: Oct. 3; Drop-off: Oct. 20; Raku Fire: Nov. 5
December Firing: Pick-up: Nov. 3; Drop-off: Nov. 19; Raku Fire: Dec. 8
January Firing: Pick-up: Dec. 1; Drop-off: Dec. 17; Raku Fire: Jan. 8
Prerequisite: To register for this class, participants must have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6-Week Class.
This class is a hybrid of our popular “work from home” classes where you will make all the pieces at home and then join us for an in-person outdoor firing of the raku kiln. We will supply you with all the tools and resources you need to make four to six pieces: clay, pottery tools, drywall board, plastic bags to make your pieces at home.
You will also have options to receive links to videos on basic constructions to make pots of your choosing using techniques including, pinch, coils, slabs, as well as instructions/ideas for what to make for your raku firing. You can also choose to use your block of clay to create your pieces at home, in your own indie times or other clay classes at 577, or a combo of both.
Pottery to Go – Custom Design by You!
Multiple Dates – See below
Prerequisite: To register for this class, participants must have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6-Week Class.
Try this unique at-home class that allows students a chance to work from the comfort of their home strengthening their pottery skills. The only (mostly) limits are your imagination. This class is designed to be what you want to make. Experiment with new forms, work out a pattern, or work on more labor-intensive techniques like sgraffito or coils. It’s your clay to create what you would like.
Don’t worry if you are stumped for ideas. Julie can provide you with videos from previous Pottery-to-Go classes like pinch pot animals, slab plates, coil pots, and more. In this “work from your home” class, we will supply you with all the tools and resources you need to make this project: clay, pottery tools, drywall board, plastic bags, a few short videos if you choose, plus email support from Julie. Optional: underglazes are available for an additional fee.
Important Note: For those interested in this class, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND completing 15 to 20 hours of indie studio time and a couple of other pottery classes before signing up for these at-home classes (in addition to the required 577 six-week class). Please note: This class no longer counts toward the three classes needed to keep indie time privileges.
November ~ Pick up: November 3; Return: November 19
December ~ Pick up: December 1; Return: December 17
Independent Studio Time
Access to our pottery studio for independent time is designed to give qualified students equipment andstudio space to create pottery. Students must have completed the 6 week adult pottery course and beapproved by the Pottery Studio Manager.
Class Locations & Parking Map
Signed up for a class and need help finding your classroom location and parking? Each class description lists its location. Click the button below to view a full map of the grounds and buildings with two lots available for easy and convenient parking.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Because space is limited, we rely on you to register for classes thoughtfully. Please help us continue to offer these wonderful classes as affordably as possible by adhering to the following registration, cancellation, and refund policies.
Photo & Video Release
Photos and videos may be taken during 577 classes and events for use on our website and other relevant media outlets and your attendance constitutes consent. View the full policy below including how you can opt-out of this release.