CLASSES


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CLASSES WITH UNLIMITED OPEN STUDIO ACCESS!

All classes are IN-PERSON


Classes Available For Registration:



Classes In-Session (Currently Sold Out)



We love to chat on the phone!  Call us if you have any questions or need assistance with registration:

(415) 416-6475 

Stop by the studio for a tour anytime!


6-WEEK CLAY CLASSES

 

Choose from our collection of classes - ranging all skill and interest levels.

 

Classes meet 1 time per week, for 6 consecutive weeks.  During the 2.5 hour weekly lesson, the first 30-45 minutes the instructor will give a demonstration, followed by individualized guidance as you create with clay.  

 

 

Enjoy a hands-on, creative experience that will take you though all the steps needed to create a finished piece.   The first weeks you will work with wet clay, followed by learning to trim and shape the semi- dried (leather hard) clay.  After the piece has gone through its first kiln firing, you will learn surface decoration methods.  Our final class is a glaze session and potluck where we celebrate what we have made and finish glazing the pieces you've made through out your session.  Continue challenging your throwing and design skills with an intermediate or advanced class on the wheel, hand building, making your own materials and more!  Push your creative limits with us by your side to help! 

 

Any introduction class is great for those with no experience or looking to get back into it!  If you fall in love and want more, we have a ever expanding curriculum with new advanced classes each session.  

 

$395 for 6-Week Class ($295 for members)

 

Includes: First bag of clay, glazes, firing, and Open Studio Hours outside of class time.  During your session, please come in during our Open Studio Hours to create during the week or weekend.

 

Student Open Studio Hours:

10 AM-6 PM 7-days a. week

We recommend making use of this time to practice any skills or make up any working time you may have missed during class absences.  We do not want to turn students away, but due to capacity limitations, we cannot allow students to come in outside of these hours. 

 

 

 

 

IN-STUDIO MEMBERSHIP $295 PER MONTH 

 

 


CLASS INFO

1-Time Clay: $175/person

2-hours- no experience needed!  Come make a hand-built cup or vase and try out the pottery wheel! BYOB & have a creative night out with friends or partner.

 

Our 1-Time Clay is an “Intro to Clay.”  The first project is a slab-built cup or vase. This is a chance for you to create a really functional and usable piece of pottery. We provide texture tools to enhance the surface of your piece and step-by-step instruction to construct the form together.

 

The second part of the session is a chance to try out the pottery wheel! You will be lead through the process of throwing on the wheel. This is a great opportunity to get a little dirty, try something new, and let loose.  We are aiming for a small bowl form during this part of the class.  At the end of the event, a staff member will record all of your initials so we can label your pieces the next day.

 

The pieces you made must dry for at least 1 week before going into the first firing process. After the first firing, we glaze your pieces (a beautiful jade green color) and fire them again. Once through the final firing, we wrap and package your work and give you a call to come pick them up. This process takes about 4-6 weeks.

6-week Classes: $395/person

Get a more in-depth introduction to ceramics (you can be a COMPLETE clay beginner) or continue your education with or intermediate & advanced courses.

 

Our 6-week Courses meet once a week for 2.5 hours each week.

 

You will meet on the same day, at the same time for all six weeks of the course.  For instance, if you picked a Monday 10 AM-12 PM Intro to Wheel Course, you would meet Mondays from 10 AM-12 PM for 6-weeks. If a class is full, give us a call or email us to add your name to the waitlist.

 

Included in the price of the class is 2.5 hours of instruction each week, your first bag of clay, all the glazing and firing of your pieces, access to our Open Studio Hours so you can practice outside of class, and a shelf space to store your work during the 6-week session.

2-Week Mini Classes: $165/person

We call them Pottery Minis! Expand your clay skills in our more in-depth focus-based courses.  2-week classes are great for those ready to dive into a unique aspect of ceramics & work even more one-on-one with an instructor.

 

Our 2-Week Courses meet for 2 hours, for 2 consecutive weeks

 

These classes are designed for students to dive deeper into interesting / challenging aspects of the ceramic making process, more often, and with more focus. Minis will cover topics that our regular 6-week courses are unable to fully tackle, therefore we're breaking them out into special mini classes.  Skill levels will vary from beginner to advanced, but since they will run every 2 weeks, students will be able to find something fun, continuously!

 

  • Shared shelving will be allocated for class work in between class 1 & 2
  • NO OPEN STUDIO access alongside these classes, unless pre-existing Open Studio access is already in place  (i.e. have an active registration in another 6-week class or monthly membership). 
  • Completed pieces will be fired after the class (and in-between each class if necessary).  


6-WEEK COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

INTRO TO POTTERY WHEEL:


 

For beginners and those that haven't worked in clay in 2+ years.                                                                                                   

 

Intro to Pottery Wheel & Clay is a beginners class that meets 2.5 hours each week for 6 consecutive weeks. This class is geared to those with little or no clay experience!

 

As a student in the class you will learn about the different stages clay goes through, the tools and techniques used to make wheel thrown and handbuilt pottery, how to glaze your pieces, and you’ll be able to use everything you make once you’ve finished the 6-week course!

 

At the end of the 6-week class each student will have the skills to make a piece from start to finish on the pottery wheel.  This class is so well-loved that most students participate in it 2-3 times before moving on to a Next Step (intermediate) class.  

 

Class fee includes a bag of clay, glazing and firing fees, and use of all tools and equipment. Each student will share a shelf and will have access to Open Studio Hours- from 10 AM-6 PM every day.  This access is unlimited during the 6-week course!

 

Projects include: Cylinders/cups, bowls, dishes, and more!

Follow-up class suggestions: Repeat Intro to Pottery Wheel & Clay 2-3 times then register for Next Step or Handbuilding FUN-damentals!

 

NEXT STEP:


For beginner and intermediate students.  Those that are comfortable with centering, and pulling the walls up on their piece 

 

Next Step is a beginner & intermediate class that meets 2.5 hours each week for 6 consecutive weeks.  This class is geared towards those with early clay experience that are comfortable on the wheel basics but want to learn what's next!!

 

Expand upon the foundations you learned in Intro to Pottery Wheel by gaining a better understanding of different clay bodies and glazes!  As a student, you'll learn more about wheel throwing and handbuilding, texturing, stains/washes, wax resist, sgraffito, and more to create depth and be in control of your surface decoration.  Class includes a bag of clay, glazing and firing fees, and use of all tools and equipment.

 

Projects include: Vases, planters, trays, salad plates, and more!

Suggested prerequisite: Intro to Pottery Wheel & Clay or relative experience.

Follow-up class suggestions: Repeat Next Step: Wheel, Surface, & Glaze 2-3 times then register for any of our 12-week Advanced Classes!

 

INTRO TO HANDBUILDING:


For beginners and intermediate students

 

This is a beginner and intermediate class that meets 2.5 hours each week for 6 consecutive weeks.  This class is geared towards those with some hand building  experience.

 

Hand Building FUN-damentals is a 6-week hand building course for the intro and intermediate hand builder!  Learn how to make vases, planters, rattles, mugs, plates, and more!  Students will learn coil, pinch, slab, and mold building techniques while working one-on-one with your instructor.  Learn how to build pottery by hand while making new friends!

 

Projects include: Planters, rattles, handles, plates, mugs, & more!

Suggested prerequisite: Intro to Pottery Wheel & Clay or relative experience.

Follow-up class suggestions: Next Step: Wheel, Surface, & Glaze, Hand Made Materials & Hand Forms, Playful Function, or Paperclay

 

TABLEWARE (WHEEL):


In this class students will explore the functional ceramics and their relationship to the dinner table. Students will create properly functioning forms of dinnerware such as: bowls, plates, tumblers, mugs, platters, large bowls, pitchers, and more. Instructors and students will focus on clay body choice and the proper treatment and finishing of pieces to ensure wares are food safe and can withstand heavy use.

 

Advanced methods of throwing, trimming, and a variety of finishing techniques will be discussed. Students will be able to create pieces with their own style and work with the instructor to create a cohesive design for their dinnerware.Success of this class is dependent on outside course work. 

 

The class includes 1 bag of clay, glazing and firing fees, and use of all tools and equipment at Clay By The Bay!  Each student will receive their own shelf and have access to Open Studio Hours. This access is unlimited during the 6-week course.

 

Projects include: Sets, bowls, plates, platters, serving bowls, etc.

Suggested prerequisite: Intro to Pottery Wheel & Clay (1-3 times), Next Step: Wheel, Surface, & Glaze (1-3 times).

 

Follow-up class suggestions: Repeat Tableware 2-3 times then register for any of our other 12-week Advanced Classes!

 


12-WEEK COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

*All 12-week Courses are offered on a rotating basis

 

HANDMADE MATERIALS & HAND FORMS:


In this class students are encouraged to explore ideas through a variety of techniques and materials while keeping in mind their individual goals for their pieces and bodies of work.  Students will get a peak in the “back end” of the scientific side of ceramics and delve into the how’s and the why's of clay and glaze making and use. Students will be encouraged to take their skills up a notch with the increased knowledge of the wide range of materials available. Students will use different raw materials, Mason Stains, marble clay, and make colored porcelain. 

 

The class fee includes 2 bags of clay, glazing and firing fees, and use of all tools and equipment at Clay By The Bay!  Each student will receive their own shelf and have access to Open Studio Hours. This access is unlimited during the 12-week course.

 

Projects include: Mixing and coloring a glaze, making colored porcelain, trays/platters, etc.

Suggested prerequisite: Intro to Pottery Wheel & Clay (1-3 times), Next Step: Wheel, Surface, & Glaze (1-3 times).

Follow-up class suggestions: Repeat Handmade Materials & Handbuilt Forms 2-3 times and any of our other 12-week Advanced Classes!

   

HANDBUILT TABLEWARE :


Handmade Tableware & Play-Full Function, a 12-week course for the experienced student!  This class is designed for students that want to explore and define their style in tableware and function, but with a playful and fun twist!  Students will focus on handbuilding techniques, occasionally using the wheel to throw footrings and make bisque molds, to create tableware.  We will also think about function as it relates to daily life; bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen objects.  

 

This class will focus on slab, pinch, and minimal wheel throwing techniques.  We will discuss surface decoration in relation to forms as we sketch, create, and begin to glaze our ware! 

 

Class fee includes two bags of clay, glazing, firing fees, and use of all tools and equipment at CBTB.  Each student will receive their own shelf and have access to Open Studio Hours. This access is unlimited during the 12-week course.  Sign up today and learn what a mango tool is!

 

Projects include: Plates, molds, trays, serving bowls, fruit bowls, bathroom towel hooks, and more!

Suggested prerequisite: Intro to Pottery Wheel & Clay (at least twice) and Next Step: Wheel, Surface, & Glaze.

Follow-up class suggestions: Repeat Handmade Tableware & Play-Full Function 2-3 times then register for any of our other 12-week Advanced Classes!

 

PAPERCLAY & SCULPTURAL HANDBUILDING:


This 12-week course is for the experienced student who wants to explore paper clay and sculptural hand building. The first half of the class we will focus on familiarizing ourselves with paper clay by exploring different joining and building techniques.  The second half of the class we will focus building a maquette and creating a sculpture (no more than 12x12) based off of our maquettes. We will also discuss surface, texture and the importance of testing. 

 

Class fee includes two bags of clay, glazing, firing fees, and use of all tools and equipment at CBTB.  Each student will receive their own shelf and have access to Open Studio Hours. This access is unlimited during the 12-week course.  

 

Projects include: Slab Sculptures, abstract stacked sculpture, + more paper clay madness!

Suggested prerequisite: Intro to Pottery Wheel & Clay (at least twice), Next Step: Wheel, Surface, & Glaze, Hand Building FUN-Damentals, and Hand Made Materials/Hand Forms.

Follow-up class suggestions: Repeat course & Play-Full Function 2-3 times then register for any of our other 12-week Advanced Classes!

 

ADVANCED HANDBUILDING & INDEPENDENT STUDY:


This 12-Week class is for the experience student who wants to explore their own individual projects.  While particular attention will be paid to functional and vessel forms, students who wish to work on sculptural forms are welcome.  Various forming techniques, aesthetic concerns, and processes for material development will be demonstrated and discussed.  

 

Class fee includes two bags of clay, glazing, firing fees, and use of all tools and equipment at CBTB.  Each student will receive their own shelf and have access to Open Studio Hours. This access is unlimited during the 12-week course.  

 

Projects include: Vases, plates, cups, and more!

Suggested prerequisite: Intro to Pottery Wheel & Clay (at least twice), Next Step: Wheel, Surface, & Glaze, Hand Building FUN-Damentals, and Hand Made Materials/Hand Forms.

Follow-up class suggestions: Repeat course & Play-Full Function 2-3 times then register for any of our other 12-week Advanced Classes!

 

ADVANCED THROWING & INDEPENDENT STUDY:


This 12-week course is for students with experience throwing who can consistently form cylinders on the wheel.  A broad range of topics will be covered in the session such as: joining forms to create a larger form, altering forms, oval forms, and surface treatment (faceting, fluting, texturing with rope/rollers, etc.)

 

Class fee includes two bags of clay, glazing, firing fees, and use of all tools and equipment at CBTB.  Each student will receive their own shelf and have access to Open Studio Hours. This access is unlimited during the 12-week course.  

 

Projects include: Faceted cups, large vases, altered forms, + MORE

Suggested prerequisite: Intro to Pottery Wheel & Clay (at least twice), Next Step: Wheel, Surface, & Glaze, and one 12-Week Wheel Throwing Class

Follow-up class suggestions: Repeat course & Tableware then register for any of our other 12-week Advanced Classes!


CBTB Refund Policy:

Clay By The Bay does not issue refunds on any type of sales offered online or in store. Fees cannot be pro-rated.  The card provided will be charged the full amount at the time of purchase. 

A voucher may be granted up to 2 weeks prior to class or workshops starting. Instances that will be considered are:

  • Death
  • Serious illness that prohibit student from working with clay (doctors note required) 

These circumstances will be considered at the finances team discretion. These reviews may take up to a month, or longer, to process. 

Reason for vouchers cannot be a changes in priorities, job related, or related to moving. Vouchers can be transferred to another person, for a fee of $20. Vouchers and gift cards have no expiration date. 

*All gift cards and vouchers are non-refundable. 

CBTB Make-Up Policy:

In the event of missed classes, students are welcome to attend other classes during the session they are registered for to observe demonstrations they may have missed. As our classes are often full, we can NOT guarantee wheel or work space to students making-up. Students registered for the class will have priority on the equipment and workspace during their scheduled class time.

Students should only be making up a class at their skill level:

  • Intro Students should attend Intro to Wheel Classes
  • Hand Building Students should attend any other Hand Building Classes
  • Next Step Students should attend Next Step Classes
  • Advanced Students may attend any other Advanced Classes

The best way to ensure you receive the most instruction time is to attend the class you are registered for.