Pottery

Adult Pottery 6-Week Course

Thursdays, August 29; September 5, 12, 19, 26; October 3 ~ 9:30am to 11:30am

Tuesdays, September 24; October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 ~ 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.

The class instructors are Julie Beutler, Pottery Studio Manager and Ceramic Artist, and Emily Horst, 577 Pottery Fellow

**Registration for the Tuesday session beginning September 24 opens on Wednesday, July 31 at 9am!

Clay Cookie Cutter Bowls

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

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

Join us for an evening playing in clay. Learn how to create a unique clay bowl using cookie cutters to create the shape. Led by Emily Horst, 577’s Pottery Coordinator and Ceramic Artist, she will guide you step-by-step on the bowl construction, textures available, and color options. Choose to use one or multiple cookie cutter designs to create a theme throughout – think flowers and leaves, stars and moons, or whatever great idea your imagination explores. Explore textures, adding before or after attachment, to add another dimension to your bowl.

The final piece to the puzzle is color. Do you love bright and vibrant colors? Use our underglazes, otherwise known as liquid colored clay, to paint your bowl. Or if you prefer a surprise, pick a color combo from our class glazes. Pickup will be scheduled for two to three weeks later after Emily has applied the final glaze and fired each piece. Participants will receive a notification via email.

No experience is necessary. Come play in the clay!

Clay Faux Fun: Food

Monday, August 5 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm

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

Our last faux food class was an absolute blast, and by popular demand, we’re back with even more exciting creations! This time, we’re expanding the menu to include a delightful assortment of faux foods. Join us to create realistic-looking hamburgers, cake slices, cookies, sushi, spaghetti and meatballs, donuts, and more. Get ready for a fun and creative experience with a wide variety of options to choose from!

Julie Beutler, 577 Pottery Manager and Ceramic Artist, will demonstrate simple clay building techniques, including pinch, slabs, and coils, to create your “faux food” of your choice. She will guide you through all the steps of creating your “food” and how to paint with underglazes, otherwise known as liquid colored clay, or find a glaze perfect for you. Depending on the detail level, most class participants will make between two to four pieces. What meal will you create in the Pottery Studio?

Pickup will be scheduled for two to three weeks later after Julie has completed the glazing and firing process. Participants will receive a notification via email. No experience is necessary. Come play in the clay!

577 Collab Class: Pottery & Watercolor ~ Handmade Palette & Paint

Two Part Class: Fridays, September 13, 27 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm 

Unleash your creativity in this engaging, open-to-all, two-part workshop where you’ll craft your own paint and palette from scratch!

PART ONE: Sculpt Your Paint Palette in the Pottery Studio ~ Join us on Friday, September 13 for a hands-on session creating a custom paint palette that holds up to 12 colors best for water-soluble paints. You will also create two small cups perfect for rinsing brushes. Or why not have a little fun? Keep one for your favorite beverage and use the other for cleaning ~ double the creativity, double the utility! Choose between a classic white or a speckled off-white glaze. Your class instructor, Emily Horst, ceramic artist and 577 pottery coordinator, will be there to guide you through the process, then will fire and glaze your pieces in time for part two of the workshop.

PART TWO: Create and Paint with Custom Watercolors in Virginia’s House ~ In the second session on Friday, September 27, we will gather at Virginia’s House to put your new palettes to work. Watercolor artist and 577’s Program Manager Connie Stose will guide you through the process of adding five different watercolor paints, including one you’ll create from scratch. Engage in fun exercises, delve into captivating color history, and explore the basics of color theory. Conclude the session by painting your own color wheel for future reference.

This class is open to all adults over 18, no prerequisite or experience is required. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn new skills in a supportive and inspiring environment!

Clay Pumpkins & Leaves

Saturday, September 21 ~ 1pm to 3pm

This class is open to all adults over 18, no prerequisite or experience is required.

Welcome the upcoming fall season by creating your own adorable pinch pot pumpkin and charming slab leaves. Your finished pieces will add a touch of autumn magic to your mantel, dining table, or desk!

Join Julie Beutler, our Pottery Manager and Ceramic Artist, in the Pottery Studio as she guides you step-by-step through the process of making your clay masterpieces. All supplies are included, including real leaves to use as templates. You’ll have the chance to use underglazes to decorate and choose from a variety of glaze colors.

After your pieces are complete, Julie will fire them in the kiln. They will be bisque-fired first, then glazed with your chosen colors, and fired again. We’ll send you an email when they’re ready for pick-up, usually 14 to 18 days later.

No experience is necessary. Come play in the clay!

New! Clay Address Plaque

Tuesday, August 20 ~ 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Monday, September 23 ~ 5:30pm to 8:30pm

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

Is it time to update your home address display? Make your own! Join Emily Horst, your class instructor and 577 Pottery Coordinator, in the Pottery Studio for an engaging and creative class where you’ll design and craft a personalized home address plaque, unique to you and your tastes. Whether you prefer individual number tiles or a single tile featuring your entire address, this class offers the perfect opportunity to express your style.

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn slab techniques to roll out your tiles. You’ll then use stamps, hand-formed elements, and cut-out designs to add your unique touch. After shaping and decorating, you’ll paint your creation with underglaze. Bring your design ideas to maximize your time in class. Once your tiles are complete, choose between a clear dip for a shiny finish or select from our range of class glazes.

Pickup will be scheduled for two to three weeks later after Emily has completed the glazing and firing process. Participants will receive a notification via email. No experience is necessary. Come play in the clay!

Checkerboard ~ July Family Pottery: For Ages 9 to 17 w/ Adult

Friday, July 26 ~ 9am to 11am

This family pottery class is open to children 9 to 17 with an adult over 18, no prerequisite or experience is required.

Join us for a unique family pottery class making a checkerboard ~ the perfect addition to game night!. Each pair will make one checkerboard with 24 pieces, 12 pieces for each side. Opt for a traditional design or let your imagination run wild with unconventional patterns, the choice is yours!

Under the guidance of your instructor, Emily, 577’s pottery coordinator and ceramic artist, you’ll start by rolling out a slab of clay and cutting out your boards. Then, it’s time to cut out the individual pieces and personalize your boards to your heart’s content. Work together with your kiddo to make an unforgettable project that can be used for years to come. Once fired, these projects may be glazed or high fired to finish, with Emily discussing your choices in class. Pickup will be in approximately 2 to 3 weeks after class. Each pair will receive a notification via email. No experience is necessary. Come play in the clay!

Class Registration Requirments:
• Each registration is for one (1) youth between the ages of 9 to 17, with an accompanying adult 18 years old and older. Due to the small class size, only one adult may accompany the youth registered.
• If an adult would like to accompany multiple youth participants, please sign up each youth participant individually and list the adult’s name for each registration.

Platter ~ July Family Pottery: For Ages 7 to 17 w/ Adult

Wednesday, July 31 ~ 9am to 10:30am

This family pottery class is open to children 7 to 17 with an adult over 18, no prerequisite or experience is required.

Join Julie and Emily, 577’s pottery instructors, for a creative and memorable experience making a large family “special day” platter. As a team, each adult and youth will work to roll out a slab, then prep and decorate a new heirloom for your family.

The platter will be food-safe ~ perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any special dinner at home. It’s large enough for serving, yet just the right size for everyday use. Pickup will be in approximately 12 to 14 days after class. Each pair will receive a notification via email. No experience is necessary. Create lasting memories and a treasured keepsake!

Class Registration Requirments:
• Each registration is for one (1) youth between the ages of 7 to 17, with an accompanying adult 18 years old and older. Due to the small class size, only one adult may accompany the youth registered.
• If an adult would like to accompany multiple youth participants, please sign up each youth participant individually and list the adult’s name for each registration.

Monster Set ~ July Family Pottery: For Ages 7 to 12 w/ Adult

Wednesday, July 31 ~ 1pm to 3pm

This family pottery class is open to children 7 to 12 with an adult over 18, no prerequisite or experience is required.

Join Julie and Emily, 577’s pottery instructors, for a “frightfully fun” family pottery class. Each family member will make and decorate their very own “monster” themed bowl and plate. Together, we’ll use pinch pot and slab techniques to bring to life fun, wide-mouth creature dip bowls and matching or complementing snack plates from your imagination. Not sure what you want your set to look like, don’t worry! We’ll start with some fun demonstrations to get your imagination flowing.

Everyone will complete their projects by painting them with liquid colored clay for bright and fun colors. Cute for movie nights, lunch, and after-school snacks, you will love using your own custom plate and dip bowl set! Julie and Emily will complete the process with a clear glaze and a high-fire making them food-safe. Pickup will be in approximately 12 to 14 days after class. Each pair will receive a notification via email. No experience is necessary. Come play in the clay!

Class Registration Requirments:
• Each registration is for one (1) youth between the ages of 7 to 12, with an accompanying adult 18 years old and older. Due to the small class size, only one adult may accompany the youth registered.
• If an adult would like to accompany multiple youth participants, please sign up each youth participant individually and list the adult’s name for each registration.

Clay Butterflies & Moths ~ Youth Pottery: For Ages 7 to 12

Friday, August 2 ~ 10am to 12pm

This youth pottery class is open to children 7 to 12, no prerequisite or experience is required.

Join us for this whimsical class, creating beautiful butterflies and moths perfect for a wall hanging or garden display. Emily Horst, your class instructor and 577 Pottery Coordinator, will guide you through the process, starting with rolling out slabs, then cutting out butterfly and moth shapes, and finally decorating them with coils.

Your child can let their imagination soar with designs that are fanciful or wonderfully lifelike. While our creations dry, we’ll stroll through the gardens, spotting real fluttery friends and discovering the magic of pollination. When we return, we’ll finish class by painting with vibrant underglazes, bringing our ceramic critters to life!

After firing, these projects will be dipped in a clear glaze for a glossy finish. Pickup will be scheduled in 2 to 3 weeks, and you’ll receive an email notification when they’re ready for you to pickup and proudly display. Please note: Adults are not required to attend youth pottery classes. Students may be dropped off at the beginning of class and picked up at the scheduled end time. Please remember to try and be on time.

577 Staff Instructor: Emily Horst

Wall Hanging ~ August Family Pottery: For Ages 7 to 17 w/ Adult

Monday, August 5 ~ 9:30am to 11:30am

This family pottery class is open to children 7 to 17 with an adult over 18, no prerequisite or experience is required.

Get ready for an exciting adventure in this fun class with your kiddo! Together, you will dive into the world of slab and pinch pot techniques to craft a one-of-a-kind wall hanging, perfect for any space ~ indoors or outdoors. Using cookie cutters or your own artistic touch, you’ll shape and decorate your pieces exactly how you want. Mix and match sizes, shapes, textures, and colors to create something truly unique!

You and your child can choose to make a big, bold design or a few smaller hanging pieces – it’s up to you! After you’ve put your creative magic into them, we’ll fire your creations. Whether you prefer a shiny glazed finish or a smooth, matte look, Emily will walk you through the options during class. In just 2 to 3 weeks after the class, your amazing artwork will be ready for pick up. Hang them proudly at home and show off your newfound pottery skills!

Class Registration Requirments:
• Each registration is for one (1) youth between the ages of 7 to 17, with an accompanying adult 18 years old and older. Due to the small class size, only one adult may accompany the youth registered.
• If an adult would like to accompany multiple youth participants, please sign up each youth participant individually and list the adult’s name for each registration.

577 Staff Instructor: Emily Horst

Under the Sea Magnets ~ Youth Pottery: Ages 7-17

Tuesday, September 17 ~ 4:30pm to 6pm

This youth pottery class is open to children 7 to 17, no prerequisite or experience is required.

Your little one will love this fun-filled class all about sea creatures! In this “fin-tastic” session, your child will create 5 to 10 magnets inspired by life under the sea, featuring sea stars, dolphins, sharks, and more. Each mini magnet will be painted by your child, then fired and glazed for a shiny finish.

Once completed, 577 will attach magnets to the back, making them perfect for displaying on your fridge as a delightful deepwater scene. Pickup will be scheduled 2 to 3 weeks after the class, and you’ll receive an email notification when they’re ready.

Please note: Adults are not required to attend youth pottery classes. Students may be dropped off at the beginning of class and picked up at the scheduled end time. Please remember to try and be on time.

577 Staff Instructor: Emily Horst

New! Clay Southwestern Skull

Sunday, August 18 ~ 10am to 1:30pm

Mandatory: MUST have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6 Week Class to participate.

Start your day with a burst of creativity in the 577 Pottery Studio! Join Emily for a unique extended class learning to build and decorate your very own southwestern skull wall hanging. Using slabs, coils, and pinch pots, we’ll craft that classic bovine-in-the-desert look.

After shaping our designs, we’ll concentrate on using the provided underglazes to paint on unique designs and patterns giving your piece a personalized touch. During this engaging session, you’re welcome to bring a bagged lunch or snack to enjoy as we work.

Please note: This project is designed to be able to be completed during the designated class time. However, depending on your level of detail and work speed, you might want to perfect your creation during your indie time.

Throwing Demo ~ All The Things + Q&A with Julie

Thursday, August 22 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Mandatory: MUST have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6 Week Class to participate.

The magic of the wheel will be the focus of this Q&A and demonstration-only class. With over 30 years of experience and a wealth of knowledge, Julie will guide you through the fundamentals, starting with the basics of cylinders – the foundation of all wheel shapes.

Julie will share her personal journey, evolving from a student to a seasoned professional potter and instructor, highlighting how each phase has shaped her teaching approach and artistic practice. Witness her expertise firsthand as she demonstrates crafting techniques for two types of bowls, a plate, a pitcher, an oval baking dish, and bottles, unveiling invaluable insights at every step.

Tips on everything wheel-related will be addressed, including a brief segment on trimming and finishing touches. Please note, this session does not include hands-on practice, but ample time is allocated for Q&A, ensuring you leave with newfound knowledge and enthusiasm for wheel throwing. Please bring a notebook/journal to capture it!

Please note: This class is demonstration-only. There will be no hands-on work. Therefore, this class will not count as part of your three-class requirement for indie time.

577 Collab Class: Pottery & Drawing on Clay

Tuesday, August 27 ~ 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Mandatory: MUST have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6 Week Class to participate.

Excited to elevate your pottery decorating skills? Looking to boost your confidence with underglaze techniques? Join us for an innovative new class led by Julie and Isabelle Tucker, 577’s Program Coordinator and Drawing/Studio Arts instructor.

Explore how drawing can transform your pottery techniques. Through engaging exercises and accessible techniques, Isabelle will show you how drawing can enhance your clay skills, inspire future designs, and refine your eye for design and craftsmanship. We’ll apply these skills to premade leather-hard tiles, reviewing and using basic underglaze techniques that will bring your pieces alive with color.

You’ll receive new drawing tools to keep: a handy drawing journal, drawing pencils, and a kneaded eraser. Finish your clay pieces when you’re ready, aka during your indie time. By the end of class, you’ll leave with more confidence in your pottery and design skills. Who knows? You might even discover a newfound love for drawing!

From Slab to Spooktacular: Fun Clay Coffin Decor!

Sunday, September 15 ~ 1:30pm to 3:30pm

Mandatory: MUST have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6 Week Class to participate.

Join us for a frightfully fun class where we’ll raise our creative spirits! We’ll start by rolling out slabs and using a template to create our small coffin boxes. Once constructed, it’s time to decorate! Use coils for wrapping vines with thorns, decorate as an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus, or go for the classic all-black look with a skull and crossbones. If time allows and you’re interested, feel free to paint part or all of your coffin with underglazes. You will be glazing it on your own during independent time to complete your spooky and fun decoration!

These small coffins are perfect for more than just decoration. Add a hole in the bottom to transform it into a small succulent planter, use it to hold battery-operated votives and moss, or fill it with sweet treats for the best little spooky Halloween decoration.

Please note: This project is designed to be able to be completed during the designated class time. However, depending on your level of detail and work speed, you might want to perfect your creation during your indie time.

Fun with Underglaze: Slip Transfers

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

Mandatory: MUST have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6 Week Class to participate.

Join Julie for a few hours exploring new tricks and different approaches to using our underglazes and slips. You’ll have the opportunity to try slip transfer (fun transfers included), silk screens, mishima, and sgraffito.

The class will focus on hands-on learning and practice. Each participant will receive a small pre-made hand-built slab piece for practicing each technique. If you prefer to work on your own pieces, please bring four to six small leather-hard pieces made from red and white class clay. These pieces can be wheel-thrown, hand-built, or a combination of both. The number of finished pieces will vary per student. Note that glazing is not included in the class; you will glaze your pieces during independent studio time.

Come ready to play and explore the vast world of slips and underglazes!

New! Custom Clay Bathroom Set 

Saturday, September 21 ~ 9am to 11am

Mandatory: MUST have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6 Week Class to participate.

Spruce up your bathroom with a personal touch in this fun, new class where you’ll design a custom bathroom set! Using simple techniques like pinching, slab construction, and the extruder, Julie will demonstrate various styles to build a complete set, including a toothbrush and toothpaste holder, a bar soap dish, and a water cup for rinsing or morning vitamins. You’ll also discover fun, unique ideas for one-of-a-kind designs.

Each pottery student will have the freedom to customize their set, inspired by demonstrations and guided through creative ideas and building details. Feel free to bring a picture of your bathroom space for glaze and style inspiration. Glazing is not included during class time; you’ll have the opportunity to glaze your pieces during independent time.

Half Day Throwing

Monday, August 12 ~ 9am to 12pm

Friday, August 16 ~ 1pm to 4pm

Monday, August 19 ~ 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Tuesday, September 3 ~ 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Sunday, September 15 ~ 9am to 12pm

Monday, September 16 ~ 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Wednesday, September 25 ~ 1pm to 4pm

Mandatory: MUST have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6 Week Class to participate.

Practice your skills on the wheel in this intensive study class with Julie & Emily. 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 Julie or Emily, 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.

Waitlists are available if class is listed as full.

Supervised Indie Time

Thursday, August 15 ~ 9am to 11am with Emily

Friday, September 27 ~ 9am to 11am with Julie

Mandatory: MUST have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6 Week Class to participate.

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 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.

Hybrid Pottery to Go – Raku

Sessions Available Each Month

• August Firing: Pick-up: July 1; Drop-off: July 22; Raku Fire: August 1

• September Firing: Pick-up: July 31; Drop-off: Aug. 26; Raku Fire: Sept. 10

• October Firing: Pick-up: Sept. 3; Drop-off: Sept. 26; Raku Fire: Oct. 10

Mandatory: MUST have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6 Week Class to participate.

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 for 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

Mandatory: MUST have successfully completed the 577 Adult Pottery 6 Week Class to participate.

The only (mostly) limits are your imagination in this “work from your home” class. This class is designed to be what you want to make. Experiment with new forms, work out a pattern, or make presents for the upcoming holidays or birthdays. 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. Please note: This class no longer counts toward the three classes needed to keep indie time privileges.  

July ~ Pick-up: July 1; Return: July 29 

August ~ Pick-up: August 1; Return: August 27