Wheelscape Pottery (“WS”) is a wet clay and pottery wheel studio located inside Speckles+Splatter Art Studio in West Dearborn and soon at a second location in Downtown Northville, Michigan. WS offers a relaxing and inspiring atmosphere meant for ceramic lovers of all experience levels. Please read the following information carefully. Please also click here to download and complete the Release and Hold Harmless. You can email the signed release to hello@spspart.com or bring it in to the studio on or before the start of the course.

Course Dates

Please see above for the exact dates and times of the course you’re signing up for. Unless otherwise advised by your instructor, there will be one instructor led session per week.

Course Overview

In the 6-Week Introduction to Pottery Wheel course, students will receive instruction relating to clay, using the pottery wheel to make different forms, trimming, finishing techniques, and glazing. This course is intended for beginners (including those who have previously taken other multi-week courses), with focus on quality over quantity. The following is included for the cost of the course:

• Step-by-step instruction

• Wheel use during class time and open studio hours (see below for more info on open studio hours)

• 25 lbs of white stoneware clay (additional clay may be purchased for $1.35 per pound)
  Access to a wide variety of dipping glazes

• Bisque and glaze firings

• Glaze for up to 8 pieces (a $6 fee will apply for each additional piece that you would like to glaze)

• A basic tool-kit required and is available to purchase in the studio or students are also welcome to bring their own

Below is a general overview of what your instructor will focus on during each session - there will be one session per week. The schedule may change based on how students are progressing and the pace of class.

Session 1

• Tour of the wheel area

• Demo wedging

• Demo centering

• Demo cylinders

• Clean up and recycle your clay

Session 2

• Review Session 1

• Shaping cylinders

• Studio time to work on centering/cylinders

Session 3

• Texture demo

• Trimming demo

• Handle attachment demo

• Studio time

Session 4

• Final session to work on throwing/wet clay (other than open studio time where you can come in during the week to work independently)

Session 5

• Sort work to be bisque fired

• Finish adding handles, trimming, carving

NOTE: there will be a one week gap between sessions 5 and 6 to allow work to dry and be bisque fired.

Session 6

• Glaze demo

• Glazing bisque fired pieces

Allow 2-3 weeks for pieces to be ready for pick up

Open Studio

There will be additional days/times during the week when you can come into the studio and work independently without the support of an instructor. Open studio time will begin after the second session and the days/times will be communicated by your instructor based on the studio schedule. Usually, it will be 1-2 days per week for 2-3 hour blocks of time. 

Once you have completed the course, you can become a monthly member at WS and continue to develop your skills. Click here to learn more about Monthly Memberships.

Missed Class, Cancellation, Refund Policy

To get the best experience it’s important for you to attend all sessions and be on time. Please be sure to give your instructor notice if you have to miss or be late to a session. WS can’t guarantee that make up sessions will be offered. WS instructors will do their best, but is not obligated, to accommodate all students in the event of weather related reschedules. 

Once registered, you can cancel and receive a full refund only if you email hello@spspart.com at least 10 calendar days before the start of the course so we have enough time to resell your spot. You can still cancel less than 10 days before the start of the course, but will forfeit 50% of the course cost if WS is unable to resell your spot before the start of the course - in this situation your 50% refund will only be processed once your spot is actually sold and after the course has started.

A spot may be transferred to someone else (friend, relative, etc.) - please email hello@spspart.com to let us know the information for the person attending.

Wheelscape Pottery Policies and Procedures

1. Short fingernails are required for working on the pottery wheel and for improved chances of success.

2. Plan to wear clothes that may become covered with clay.

3. Students are encouraged to bring a smock/apron to wear during the class, and bring a personal hand towel.

4. Use of equipment is only permitted after studio staff has provided an overview and instructions, including how to manage clean up.

5. All students are responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, respectful, and cooperative environment.  Students are expected to:

   • Clean work areas and leave them better than they were found

   • After using a pottery wheel, wipe the tray and splash pan

   • Clean every table surface that was used (wedging table, work tables, etc.)

   • Clean off the glaze table surfaces and mop surrounding floor

   • When finished cleaning, wipe out the sink

   • Dispose of clay water appropriately and in line with posted signs

6. Please do not touch or move any projects that don’t belong to you, and only use the shelf space that you have been assigned to store your projects and tools. If you need to move a piece, please ask studio staff.

7. Please keep your clay and tools stored in the designated areas/your labeled bin. Any tools left behind will be deposited in a lost and found bin. WS is not responsible if tools are taken by other members.

8. WS staff will monitor your pieces as they dry on the rack to ensure they’re at the proper stage for the next step. Due to the nature of ceramics, and environmental factors, quick drying or cracking due to improper throwing techniques may occur. The instructor will evaluate your pieces throughout so you have the best chance of keep successful items. It is your responsibility to make sure that your pieces are placed correctly on the racks and covered.

9. Your clay is your responsibility! Please label your bag and make sure your bag is sealed tightly and not left out to dry. WS will not be responsible for replacing dried out clay. 

10. WS is not responsible for any personal belongings left in the studio.

11. Courses are only intended for the individual signing up, and does not extend to family and friends. Under no circumstances are family or friends allowed in the studio area or allowed use any tools, wheels, clay, glazes, etc. 

12. Food and open drinks are not allowed in the studio. Members may have drinks in closed containers.

13. Students are not permitted to bring in clay, bisque ware, and/or glazes from outside the studio and are may not take work home. WS will not fire outside work. All clay must be purchased through studio staff.

14. The studio’s electric kilns are to only be loaded and fired by studio technicians as work is produced to fill them. Please don’t touch the kilns or enter the kiln room. 

15. Clay and tools must be removed from bins at the end of the course, or they will be disposed of (unless a member is signing up for a monthly membership).