Why Take a Pottery Class?
Ceramics, and the experience of being in a pottery class, contains great metaphors for many aspects of life. I often find myself encouraging people to let go of their expectations and embrace failure; to approach the clay like they might approach a skittish animal or a rebellious child; to place their awareness in their left elbow, their nose, their shoulders, or their breath.
If we are not centered in ourselves, that can make it pretty hard to center the clay on the wheel. The practice of centering the clay on the wheel might help us center ourselves.
We so often believe that we must be experts, have talent, or be “good” at something in order to fully embrace it. I say - throw all of that out the window! In order to learn a skill we all go through a necessary step of being a beginner. Making pottery is a skill. Skills require practice.
Talent does not exist! Embrace the experience of learning, and of being bad at something! Come play in the mud!
Class Options
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Learn At Mud Studio
I currently teach the Sunday morning mixed level wheel-throwing class at The Mud Studio in Waterbury, VT. Classes run year-round in seven week sessions. Sessions begin in January, March, May, July, September, and November.
If you’re interested in signing up for a class, visit the studio website.
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Private Lessons
I’m available for private lessons on a variety of topics. I charge $45/hr, plus $15/hr for each additional person. Lessons are a minimum of two hours.
People who are not current Mud Studio students or members will also be charged a one-time $25 studio use fee, and must cover the cost of clay.
If you are interested in a lesson on a particular topic, please reach out!
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Groups + Parties
I’ve crafted and taught workshops for private parties and groups, including Fat Babe Vermont and others.
Because I work out of a busy community studio, availability is limited, and subject to studio availability and policies.
Please reach out if you are interested in scheduling.
My Teaching Approach
I enjoy teaching just as much as I enjoy making work.
Teaching every person is a new and welcome challenge. When I teach, I make an effort to focus on each student, and to approach them in a way that aligns with their goals and their unique learning style. I help students figure out their own body mechanics and ways of thinking about the process.
Teaching involves a completely separate set of skills from crafting a good pot, and invites me to tune in to each step of the making process in a new way. In order to describe what I’m doing, I first have to turn my attention to the details of my own process.
Teaching has made me a better potter, and becoming a more skilled potter in turn assists me in becoming a better teacher.
