Pottery

Adult Pottery 6-Week Course

Thursdays, July 31; August 7, 14, 21, 28; September 4 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Tuesdays, Sept. 30; Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28; Nov. 4 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm

*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 

A new 6-week Adult Pottery course opens for registration on July 30 at 9am, with classes beginning in September. Stay tuned—details coming soon!

Creative Clay Spoon Rests • Open to all / Ages 18+

Tuesday, August 19 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm

*This class is open to adults 18 and over, no prior clay experience is needed.

Looking for a fun, hands-on pottery experience? Join us to create two unique spoon rests using clay slabs—perfect for beginners and experienced potters alike!

Led by Alison Buchanan, 577’s Pottery Coordinator and Ceramic Artist, this class gives you full creative control. Go classic with elegant shapes and patterns or get playful with novelty designs that show off your personality. Use stamps, textures, carving tools, or freeform shaping techniques to make each spoon rest truly your own.

Once your pieces are formed, you’ll have the option to paint them with colorful underglazes (liquid colored clay) which will be finished with a clear glaze by our staff. Or, you can choose from a selection of studio glazes to be applied after bisque firing. After class, all spoon rests will be glazed and fired by our team. We’ll email you in about two weeks when your finished work is ready for pickup.

This relaxed and welcoming class is all about creativity, exploration, and making something both functional and fabulous for your kitchen. Class Notes: This class is open to adults ages 18 and up. No prior pottery experience is needed—just bring your creativity and enjoy the process!

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Eyeglass/Trinket Dish • Open to all / Ages 18+

Friday, August 22 ~ 9:30am to 11am

*This class is open to adults 18 and over, no prior clay experience is needed.

New Class Alert! Join us for a fun and creative pottery class where you’ll craft a custom eyeglass holder—perfect for your bedside table, desk, or workspace. Julie Beutler, 577’s Pottery Manager and Ceramic Artist, will guide you step-by-step through the process using basic slab construction techniques, with the option to incorporate a pinch pot or coil elements into your design. Whether your style is whimsical or sleek and modern, you’ll enjoy bringing your vision to life in clay.

Once your holder is built, you’ll decorate it using colorful underglazes (liquid colored clay) or choose from a selection of studio glazes to complete your piece. After class, your artwork will be bisque-fired, glazed (if needed), and fired again by our staff. We’ll email you in approximately 14–18 days when your finished piece is ready for pickup.

Class Notes: This class is open to adults ages 18 and up. No prior pottery experience is needed—just bring your creativity and enjoy the process!

577 Staff Instructor: Julie Beutler

Clay Pumpkins • Open to all / Ages 18+

Wednesday, August 27 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm

*This class is open to adults 18 and over, no prior clay experience is needed.

Welcome the fall season by creating two charming clay pumpkins, one small and one medium, using the simple pinch pot technique. Each pumpkin will be as unique as the real thing and add a touch of handmade happiness to your autumn décor for years to come.

Julie Beutler, 577’s Pottery Manager and Ceramic Artist, will guide you step-by-step through the building process. You will have the opportunity to decorate your pieces with colorful underglazes or choose from a selection of studio glazes to suit your style.

After class, your pumpkins will be bisque fired, glazed in clear or the colors you selected, and fired again by our staff. We will email you in approximately 14 to 18 days when your finished pieces are ready for pickup. Class Notes: This class is open to adults ages 18 and up. No prerequisite or experience is required. Just come ready to get creative and celebrate the season with clay!

577 Staff Instructor: Julie Beutler

Monstera Magic • Open to all / Ages 18+

Tuesday, September 9 ~ 5:30pm to 7pm

*This class is open to adults 18 and over, no prior clay experience is needed.

Get your hands in clay and bring the tropics to your table with this relaxing, beginner-friendly pottery class. In this workshop, you’ll create a stunning set of two monstera leaf plates— a perfect decorative or functional piece inspired by nature.

Your instructor will guide you as you trace two monstera leaf templates (one larger, one smaller), then cut and shape your design from a slab of clay. After class, we’ll take care of the glazing for you. Your plate will be professionally glazed and kiln-fired by our studio staff, giving it a glossy, food-safe finish that highlights every detail.

Class Notes: This class is open to adults ages 18 and up. No prerequisite or experience is required. Just come ready to get creative and celebrate the season with clay!

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Pollinator Cups • Open to all / Ages 18+

Saturday, September 20 ~ 1pm to 2:30pm

*This class is open to adults 18 and over, no prior clay experience is needed.

Join us for this fun and meaningful class where art meets nature! You’ll create adorable pollinator water cups—small ceramic pieces designed to hold shallow water and provide hydration for our hardworking honeybees (butterflies will enjoy them as well).

Your instructor will demonstrate multiple techniques for shaping and decorating the cups and discuss the importance of color and placement to attract pollinators. Each participant will receive a care sheet with tips on how to use and maintain their bee cups in the garden. Depending on size, we’ll create between 5 to 8 cups per person. A small project with a big impact!

Class Notes: This class is open to adults ages 18 and up. No prerequisite or experience is required. Just come ready to get creative and celebrate the season with clay!

577 Staff Instructor: Julie Beutler

Pumpkin Wall/Door Hanger • Open to all / Ages 18+

Wednesday, September 24 ~ 9:30am to 11am

*This class is open to adults 18 and over, no prior clay experience is needed.

Celebrate the beginning of fall! In this fun and festive class, you’ll create your very own pumpkin wall hanger—perfect for adding a handmade touch to your seasonal décor.

Your instructor will guide you step-by-step using handmade patterns, cookie cutters, and slab-building techniques. You’ll design a one-of-a-kind piece complete with dangling decorations like candy corn, ghosts, leaves, or any whimsical combo you dream up. Paint parts of your creation with underglazes before leaving it with us to be kiln-fired and glazed. You’ll be notified when it’s ready to pick up (about 14–16 days later).

Class Notes: This class is open to adults ages 18 and up. No prerequisite or experience is required. Just come ready to get creative and celebrate the season with clay!

577 Staff Instructor: Julie Beutler

Family Pottery: Pinch Pot Pumpkins (Ages 7-17/Adult 18+)

Friday, August 8 ~ 9:30am to 11am

Get ready to get your hands dirty and your creativity glowing! In this hands-on pottery class, kids and teens, along with their accompanying adult partner, will learn the classic pinch pot technique to sculpt their very own charming pumpkin creations.

Using simple clay shaping methods, each participant will craft a unique pumpkin perfect for fall decorating. Alison Buchanan, 577’s Pottery Coordinator and Ceramic Artist, will guide you step-by-step—from forming the shape and adding details to painting your pumpkins with vibrant autumn colors.

After class, each piece will be bisque-fired, glazed with a clear coat for shine and durability, and fired again by our staff. We’ll email you in about two weeks when your artwork is ready for pickup.

This class is designed for children ages 7–17 with an accompanying adult (18+). No experience needed—just come ready to get creative and make something special together!

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Family Pottery: Fall Fun! (Ages 5-6/Adult 18+)

Tuesday, August 26 ~ 9:30am to 11am

Join us for a hands-on, creative afternoon perfect for little hands and big imaginations! In this family-friendly pottery class, children ages 5 to 6 and their grown-up partners will roll up their sleeves to make festive fall-themed decorations like pumpkins, bats, apples, and more.

We’ll start with soft, pre-rolled clay slabs—no mess or stress! Using fun cookie cutters, your family will create a variety of autumn shapes, then add texture and detail for extra fall flair. Finish by painting your pieces with bright, cheerful colors to bring your creations to life. Each family will leave with their own collection of handmade hangers, ornaments, and magnets—perfect for decorating your home or sharing as seasonal gifts. These little treasures look adorable on wreaths, in windows, or on the fridge!

After class, your pieces will be bisque-fired, glazed with a clear coat for shine and durability, and fired again by our staff. We’ll email you in about two weeks when your finished pieces are ready for pickup. This class is designed for children ages 5–6 with an accompanying adult (18+). No pottery experience needed—just bring your smiles and get ready for a clay-filled afternoon of creativity and fall fun!

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Family Pottery: Fall Into Clay! (Ages 5-6/Adult 18+)

Friday, September 5 ~ 10am to 11am

Celebrate the cozy season with a creative family experience in clay! In this playful, hands-on class, young artists (ages 5 and 6) and their grown-up (18+) will work together to make fall/Halloween-themed trinket trays using the push-pot method—a fun way to create shallow, bowl-like pieces perfect for holding treasures, snacks, or seasonal décor.

Your instructor will guide everyone through the process as they choose from a variety of festive shapes like pumpkins, leaves, apples, silly ghosts, spider webs, candy corn, and even real leaves. Learn how to press and shape soft clay over molds or into forms to give each piece depth and structure. Every creation will be one-of-a-kind! Once shaped, families will decorate their trays with underglazes, adding bright fall colors and personal touches to bring their pieces to life.

After class, artwork will be bisque-fired, glazed with a clear coat for durability, and fired again by our studio staff. You’ll receive an email when your finished creations are ready for pickup, usually in about 2 to 3 weeks. This class is designed for children ages 5–6 with an accompanying adult (18+). No pottery experience needed—just bring your smiles and get ready for a clay-filled morning of creativity and fall fun!

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Youth Pottery: Ramen Bowl & Cup (Ages 7-17)

Thursday, September 25 ~ 4:30pm to 6pm

Calling all young artists ready to get creative! In this hands-on pottery class, kids will explore texture, form, and design while making their very own ramen bowl and matching cup—perfect for their next noodle night.

Your instructor will guide each participant as they begin with a pre-made bowl base, then roll and shape clay coils to build the walls of their bowl. For the cup, kids will use the pinch pot method—a fun, beginner-friendly technique that lets them shape the clay with their fingers to create a small drinking cup. Along the way, they’ll add fun details, stamps, and surface textures to personalize their pieces. After class, each creation will be bisque-fired, glazed with a clear coat, and fired again by our studio staff. We’ll email you in about 2 to 3 weeks when your finished artwork is ready for pickup.

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: Painted Sipper Cups (Ages 7-17/Adult 18+)

Monday, September 29 ~ 5:30pm to 7pm

Join us in the Pottery Studio for a fun, hands-on family class where you’ll create two custom sipper cups hand-painted by you! This class is open to children ages 7–17 with an adult over 18. No experience needed—just come ready to get creative and make something special together!

Receive step-by-step guidance as you transform two extruded cylinders (one per person) into unique sipper cups by adding a base, top, and decorative elements. You’ll explore different decoration techniques with plenty of inspiring examples to spark creativity, and paint your decorations with underglazes for that perfect pop of color.

Once completed, each creation will be bisque-fired, glazed in clear, and fired again. Finished pieces will be ready for pick-up in about two weeks, with email notifications sent when they are ready. This class is designed for youth ages 7-17 with an accompanying adult (18+). 

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Glazing Help: Learn to Love Glazing!

Tuesday, August 12 ~ 1:30pm to 3:30pm

Wednesday, August 20 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Prerequisite: To register for this class, participants must have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6-Week Class.

Does glazing feel overwhelming? Not sure where to start with colors, techniques, or the many glazing options available? Whether you’re looking to build confidence, clarify the process, or strengthen your existing skills, this class is designed to support you.

In this hands-on session, you’ll receive guidance from Julie on all things glazing. Learn how to approach color with intention and get tips for glazing unusual shapes or larger pieces. You’ll also be introduced to the spray booth and its proper use.

Participants are encouraged to bring 1 to 3 bisque-fired pots of their own to glaze during the class. Don’t forget to bring paper or a journal for note-taking—there’s a lot of great info to capture!

577 Staff Instructor: Julie Beutler

Slab Building with Template & Altering Techniques

Saturday, August 23 ~ 9:30am to 11:30am

Prerequisite: To register for this class, participants must have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6-Week Class.

Designed for intermediate* to experienced potters ready to take their skills to the next level, this hands-on workshop dives deep into the art of slab building. Learn how to create your own custom templates to craft precise, consistent forms and unlock new possibilities for your pottery projects.

The class will also explore advanced alteration techniques such as darting, an essential method for shaping and refining slab-built pieces with clean edges and professional finishes.

Bring your creativity and technical skills to this focused session and leave with the confidence to design and build complex, one-of-a-kind pottery forms. Glazing will be completed independently during indie time.

*Class Notes: This class is intended for those with intermediate or advanced experience. Intermediate students are typically those who have completed the 6-week pottery class, along with at least two or three additional pottery classes, and have some experience with indie time.

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Tea House: Tea Bag Holder

Thursday, September 18 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Prerequisite: To register for this class, participants must have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6-Week Class.

NEW! Are you a tea lover or know someone who is? In this creative and cozy class, you’ll handbuild a charming little tea house that looks like a brownstone or cottage. Designed to hold and dispense your favorite tea bags, this one-of-a-kind piece will look adorable on your kitchen counter or tucked into a breakfast nook.

You’ll work with slab-building techniques to construct your tea house, learning how to work with suede and leather-hard clay and the advantages of each. These versatile methods will set you up for success in future pottery projects, too!

*Class Notes: Glazing or highly detailed painting would be done on your own indie time.

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Berry Bowls

Saturday, September 20 ~ 9am to 11am

Prerequisite: To register for this class, participants must have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6-Week Class.

Had a great garden haul this year? This class is perfect for gathering fresh herbs, berries, or market produce. You’ll create a beautiful and functional berry bowl using slab-building techniques, resulting in a fruit pint–style vessel that’s as charming as it is useful.

Julie will guide you through the process, including how to add drainage holes, handles, and optional under dishes. She’ll also share tips for successful construction and decoration so your piece is ready to shine in the kitchen. Bonus: Julie will give a short demo on how these bowls can be made on the potter’s wheel. Already familiar with throwing? You’re welcome to bring a leather-hard greenware bowl to modify and decorate during the class.

Whether you’re harvesting from your backyard or shopping local markets, this berry bowl is sure to become a go-to favorite in your kitchen! *Class Notes: Glazing would be done on your own indie time.

577 Staff Instructor: Julie Beutler

Chip & Dip Set

Monday, September 22 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Prerequisite: To register for this class, participants must have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6-Week Class.

Get ready for tailgate season, cozy gatherings, and everyday entertaining with a large handmade chip and dip platter—complete with a few fun style options for the dip dish.

Julie will guide you through slab and pinch handbuilding techniques to create your one-of-a-kind set. She’ll also share tips for glazing larger functional pieces, keeping the process as simple and successful as possible, and designing flexible forms that work for any season.

As a bonus, Julie will give a short demonstration on the pottery wheel to show how similar chip-and-dip forms can be thrown, offering inspiration for future projects and possibilities. *Class Notes: Glazing would be done on your own indie time.

577 Staff Instructor: Julie Beutler

Half Day Throwing

Saturday, August 23 ~ 1:30pm to 4:30pm

Monday, August 25 ~ 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Tuesday, September 2 ~ 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Thursday, September 11 ~ 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

Wednesday, August 13 ~ 9:30am to 11:30am

Wednesday, September 10 ~ 9:30am to 11:30am

Friday, September 19 ~ 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

August Firing: Pick-up: Jul. 8; Drop-off: Jul. 30; Raku Fire: August 11

September Firing: Pick-up: Aug. 5; Drop-off: Aug. 27; Raku Fire: Sept. 17

October Firing: Pick-up: Sept. 4; Drop-off: Sept. 23; Raku Fire: Oct. 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.  

August ~ Pick-up: August 5; Return: August 27

September ~ Pick up: September 4; Return: September 23