Intro to Wheel Throwing in Denver
Intro to Wheel Throwing
Six weeks · clay, tools, glazes & firing included, plus student open studio
Learn the wheel, then keep going. Perfect for absolute beginners or anyone coming back to clay. Six weeks on the wheel making bowls, cups, and plates, with a small group and a friendly teacher right there with you. Clay, tools, glazes and firing included, plus student open studio.
Never touched clay? A 6-week course is perfect for absolute beginners. The course is built for people with zero experience with ceramics - and if it's been a while since you took a class in high school, this is also a great refresher and place to start.
Week by week
- Week 1: Centering. Wedging clay, setting up the wheel and getting a lump of clay to spin true. Everyone wobbles at first. That is normal.
- Week 2: Opening and pulling. Opening the centered clay and pulling up even walls to make your first cylinders.
- Week 3: Cups and bowls. Shaping cylinders into cups and bowls, and learning when a piece is ready to set aside.
- Week 4: Trimming. Trimming leather-hard pieces, carving a foot and cleaning up the form.
- Week 5: Throwing taller. More clay, taller walls and more control, plus handles if you want them.
- Week 6: Glazing. Picking colors from our glaze library and preparing your favorite pieces for the final firing.
The teacher will work to meet each student at their own pace and guide them to the next stage in their pottery journey.
You can pick up your final pieces within one week of completing the class. We can’t wait to see what you create.
What's included: clay, tools, apron, glaze library and all firing for class, plus student open studio during your course (clay during open studio is available for purchase on the table near the aprons).
Where: Claya, 3440 Walnut St, RiNo, street parking, near 38th & Blake.
Who this class is for
Intro to Wheel Throwing is built for complete beginners: people who have never sat at a wheel, people who took a class years ago, and people who tried a one-night session and want real skills. You do not need to be artsy or patient. You need to show up and get a little messy.
Choose your night and teacher
Each session is a fixed group that meets once a week for six weeks. Fall 2026 sessions:
- Wednesday 6:15 to 8:45 PM with Emili, starting October 14 (open)
- Friday 12 to 2:30 PM with Jesse, starting October 30 (open)
- Monday 6 to 8:30 PM with Mary (sold out)
- Tuesday 6 to 8:30 PM with Caitlin (sold out)
- Thursday 6 to 9 PM with Sami (sold out)
The session picker above always shows current availability. New sessions are added as they are scheduled, and the full list is on the pottery classes page.
Class size and what is included
Every session is a small group, so your teacher has real time with each student. The $325 price covers all six class meetings, about 25 lb of clay, studio tools, an apron, the glaze library and all bisque and glaze firing. You also get student open studio during your course, Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays 10 AM to 6 PM, to practice or catch up on a missed week. Firing takes 1 to 2 weeks, and finished pieces are ready to pick up after class ends.
After six weeks: what's next
Many students take Advanced Beginner Wheel next, and many move into studio membership, with 24/7 keycode access, shelf space and the same glazes and kilns. Want to test the wheel first? Try the Pottery Wheel is one night for $60.
Intro to Wheel Throwing FAQ
Do I need any experience? No. The class assumes you have never touched clay.
What should I wear? Clothes that can get clay on them and short or tied-back nails and hair. We provide aprons and towels.
What if I miss a class? Catch up during student open studio, Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays 10 AM to 6 PM.
What is the cancellation policy? Cancel 5 or more days before the class starts for a refund minus a $12 processing fee. Less than 5 days before the start, you get a 6-month store credit. There are no refunds after the class starts.
Where do I park? Street parking is available near 38th and Blake, and the 38th & Blake station (A Line) is a short walk away.
Classes FAQ | Open studio hours | All classes | Studio membership
