Classes at black hound clay west

SPRING 2026 Class preview is now open!

Classes will open for registration on this page on Saturday January 24 at 10 am

SPRING 2026 SESSION IS MARCH 30 - MAY 24, 2026

All instruction, tools, glazes. firing and 25 pounds of clay are included in the price of tuition. Additional clay can be purchased on our website. One free open studio is included with every class.

BEFORE REGISTERING FOR A CLASS, PLEASE READ OVER OUR REGISTRATION & REFUND POLICIES

Wondering what level of wheelthrowing class is appropriate for your current skill levels?
Check out this guide.

WE OFFER PAYMENT PLANS!

Payments will be automatically deducted on the dates below from the card on file.

If you register between January 24 and January 31, 2026:
First installment payment of 33%: upon registration
Second installment payment of 33%: February 13, 2026
Third installment payment of 33%: March 13, 2026

If you register between February 1 and February 27, 2026:
First installment payment of 50%: upon registration
Second installment payment of 50%: March 13, 2026

If you register on or after February 28, 2026, you must pay in full.

class waitlist Policy

Once a class is full, the class listing will be converted to a waitlist sign up. Signing up for the waitlist is free. Joining the waitlist for a particular class does not guarantee you a spot in that class, and it does not obligate you to sign up should space come available.

Please feel free to email us at West@blackhoundclay.com with any questions!

wheelthrowing classes

wheelthrowing 101

$435 per person
(installment payment plans available)

Black Hound Clay Studio's Wheelthrowing 101 Class is a comprehensive eight week beginner’s introduction to making objects on the potter's wheel. In this course, students will have the opportunity to learn a variety of foundational skills and then use them to create their own unique and beautiful pottery. By the end of the class, students will be well versed in the ceramic process from start to finish, from working with wet clay to trimming to decorating and glazing.

An excellent course for complete beginners as well as those with throwing experience, students can expect a small class environment with one on one attention from professional teaching artists and staff, a clean, well-stocked studio and an inclusive, friendly vibe.

AVAILABLE DAYS & TIMES:

MONDAY EVENINGS, March 30 - May 18, 6-9pm with Isaac Scott

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS, April 1 - May 20, 1:30-4:30pm with Akiko Jackson

THURSDAY EVENINGS, April 2 - May 21, 6-9pm with Maggie Jones

FRIDAY EVENINGS, April 3 - May 22, 6-9pm with Frankie Iadarola

SATURDAY MORNINGS, April 4 - May 23, 9am-12pm with Natalie Avery

SUNDAY EVENINGS, April 5 - May 24, 6-9pm with Maggie Jones

wheelthrowing 102

$435 per person
(installment payment plans available)

This class is designed for the experienced beginner in mind. If you have some have previous wheel throwing experience and are looking to push your skills to the next level, this class is for you. Students will be led through warm-up throwing exercises and activities to help improve technical ability and troubleshoot problem areas. We will focus on lifting taller, thinner and more consistent walls, shaping, trimming, surface design and attachments. Students will be encouraged to work towards developing a matching set such as cups, mugs, bowls or vases as a way to sharpen skills.

AVAILABLE DAYS & TIMES:

TUESDAY EVENINGS
March 31 - May 19, 6-9 pm
with Natalie Avery

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS
April 1 - May 20, 6-9 pm
with Lauren Delk

Independent projects

TUESDAY AFTERNOONS March 31 - May 19, 1:30-4:30pm

$435 per person
(installment payment plans available)

This class is for intermediate and advanced level students who want to work independently while also having an instructor available. If you are looking to expand your skills or have a specific project in mind, this class will allow you to explore your ideas through individual instruction and demonstrations. Students should come to class with personal goals in mind for what they'd like to make or learn. Topics covered in the class will include working on a larger scale, throwing and altering processes, in-depth surface design/decoration techniques and troubleshooting common throwing issues. Students are encouraged to explore their own interests and work at their own pace.

Instructor: Lisa Belsky

handbuilding classes

HANDBUILDING 101

$435 per person
(installment payment plans available)

Black Hound Clay Studio's Handbuilding 101 Class is a comprehensive eight week beginner’s introduction to making handbuilt functional objects. In this course, students will have the opportunity to learn a variety of foundational skills and then use them to create their own unique and beautiful plates, cups and bowls of varying sizes. By the end of the class, students will be well versed in the ceramic process from start to finish, from working with wet clay to building with slabs and coils to decorating and glazing.

An excellent course for complete beginners as well as those with previous experience working in clay. Students can expect a small class environment with one on one attention from professional teaching artists and staff, a clean, well-stocked studio and an inclusive, friendly vibe.

AVAILABLE DAYS & TIMES:

THURSDAY EVENINGS, April 2 - May 21, 6-9pm with Olivia Gibb

SUNDAY EVENINGS, April 5 - May 24, 6-9pm with Claire Engelhardt

  • Handbuilding for the Garden

    Monday Evenings March 30 - May 18,
    6-9pm (8 weeks)

    $435
    (installment payment plans available)

    Create a variety of planters using handbuilding techniques, including coil, pinch and slab. The course will cover wall planters, stand-alone planters, hanging planters and more. Get creative and build funky planters for your home! This class is open to all levels. No previous clay experience necessary.

    Instructor: Miranda Blas

  • Independent Projects: Handbuilding

    Tuesday Evenings March 31 - May 19,
    6-9 pm (8 weeks)

    $435
    (installment payment plans available)

    This class is for intermediate and advanced level students who want to work independently while also having an instructor available. If you are looking to expand your skills or have a specific project in mind, this class will allow you to explore your ideas through individual instruction and demonstrations. Students should come to class with personal goals in mind for what they'd like to make or learn. Topics covered in the class can include working on a larger scale, refining building techniques, surface design, decoration, glazing techniques and troubleshooting common handbuilding issues. Students are encouraged to explore their own interests and work at their own pace. Demonstrations are available on request, so be sure to come prepared with ideas!

    Instructor: Corinna Cowles

  • Intermediate Handbuilding: Color in Clay

    Thursday Evenings April 2 - May 21,
    6-9 pm (8 weeks)

    $435
    (installment payment plans available)

    We will expand approaches to surface design and decoration with a focus on color and texture. A wide variety of techniques including brushwork and transfers using colored slips, inlay with colored clay, adding texture through slip trailing and sgraffito, and painting with underglazes will be explored. We will apply these decorating techniques to larger, more complex coil and slab-built forms. Finished work will be glazed with clear. Prior experience handbuilding with clay is recommended.

    Instructor: Corinna Cowles