For most people, pottery classes in Atlanta are just about playing with clay using a pottery wheel, some clay, water, and a little glaze. But, there is more.
You can do pottery without taking pottery-making classes, but, in this article, we will be looking at the reasons why every new potter should take pottery-making classes.
Read on to see the pottery classes in Atlanta.
How hard is the process of learning pottery?
There are many simple things to create when starting out the process of learning pottery. As time goes on your interest and skill level will grow more, then you can start handling complex pieces.
Also, the beautiful part of making pottery is no two pieces look exactly alike. These are the little things that make the process of learning pottery fascinating.
How Much do Pottery Classes Cost?
Each pottery studio has its supplies and equipment, therefore it largely depends on the studio you have chosen and which part of Atlanta you live in.
There are classes that will cost you around $180 for eight weeks. With that, you can get at least 3 hours of class a week plus 3 hours of studio time to do whatever you want.
In those classes, you will find slab rollers, pottery wheels, decorative tools, and 4 house glazes that you will be using for your practice. Check out the woodworking schools in Maine and their locations.
The reasons why every new potter should take a pottery class
- Receive Hands-On Training
- Guide You in Centering and Pulling
- Knowing What To Wear
- Learn About Clay
- Wedging the Right Way
- Get To Know Other Potters
- Get a Feel for Pottery Wheels
- Learn When and How to Trim
- Test Out the Many Tools
- Use the Slab Roller
- Know When to Bisque Fire
- Get Help With Glazing
- Access to a Kiln
- How Clay Should Feel When Handbuilding
Receive Hands-On Training
One of the benefits of taking any of the pottery classes in Atlanta is that it gives you access to instructors who are there to guide you and help you position your hands properly, while you get a feel for how the clay moves through your fingers and hands.
Guide You in Centering and Pulling
In pottering, there is this thing they call centering. Most beginners struggle with centering. While in that class, the instructors will see when you are getting it wrong, so they can take your hand and guide you in the right direction.
Knowing What To Wear
Pottery classes in Atlanta with take you through what to wear and what not to wear in a pottery studio.
Learn About Clay
When you start taking your classes, you will learn the different bodies of clay and which clay bodies are best suited for beginner wheel throwers.
You will also get to know the clay’s cone sizes and their firing temperatures.
Wedging the Right Way
When you choose any of the pottery classes in Atalanta, you will be taught the right texture of clay-either soft or firm-to throw on the when. You are also taught how to create air bubbles instead of eliminating them.
Get To Know Other Potters
Pottery classes in Atalanta will give you access to the professional potters in the city. There you can exchange pottery-making ideas, as well as tips and tricks in the business.
The connections and friendships you make during this time might go beyond classrooms.
Get a Feel for Pottery Wheels
Pottery classes will give you a feel for the pottery wheels. That is where your pottery-making journey starts.
Learn When and How to Trim
By taking pottery classes, your instructor will teach you how the clay should feel before trimming.
Test Out the Many Tools
In a pottery studio, there are many tools. Taking pottery classes will give you access to many different decorative tools. There are students who will come to the studio with their own tools and you will have the opportunity to have a feel.
Access to a Kiln and slab roller
Learning how to use a slab roller before you decide to buy one is a big plus. Also, since kilns need special outlets for all the power they need to vitrify your clay and glazes. Taking classes will help you a lot in making sure that you get to know how to use and take care of the kiln, even before buying your own.
How Clay Should Feel When Handbuilding
The important part of taking a class, in the beginning, is very similar to throwing on the wheel. You have to get to know the feel of the clay, so your piece is not too stiff to work with or too soft to keep its shape. Below are some of the places for pottery classes in Atlanta.
The List of Pottery Classes in Atlanta
The following places are places where you will enjoy the craft and will bring out the artist inside of you.
- All Fired Up
- Aw Pottery Atlanta
- That Pottery Place Studio
- Atlanta Clay Works
- MudFire
- Just Kiln’ Time
- Art & Soul Studio
- Eye Candy Art Studio
- ABC Pottery Art Studio
- Johns Creek Arts Center
- Katie Troisi Pottery
- Lora Rust Ceramics
- Georgia Tech Paper & Clay
- Art World Painting Classes
Katie Troisi Pottery
- Address: 215 Chester Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, United States
They are located in the Reynoldstown neighbourhood of Atlanta. All students and visitors are required to provide and wear their own well-fitting masks while coming for their pottery classes.
You can take a single 30 minutes session, crash courses and you can have access to materials. Visit their Website.
Lora Rust Ceramics
- Address: 1174-C, Zonolite Pl NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, United States
- Phone: +1 404-805-0979
offers a variety of workshop formats as either Demonstration or Hands-On with lengths from one day to five days. Workshops are open to all levels of all clay workers including Throwers, Hand Builders and Sculptors. Visit their Website.
All Fired Up
This is one of the places to get pottery classes in Atalanta. Their classes are held a couple of times a month.
They have three locations throughout the metro area.
10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; noon-7 p.m. Sundays. Various prices. Alpharetta, Atlanta, Marietta locations. allfiredupart.com.
Aw Pottery Atlanta
9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Various prices. 3200 Cumberland Drive, Chamblee. 770-220-2900, awpotteryatl.com.
That Pottery Place Studio
This is one of the places to get the pottery classes in Atlanta. You can always stop by the studio to paint your own pottery.
Appointment only Mondays-Tuesdays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays; noon-6 p.m. Sundays.
Various prices. North DeKalb Mall, 2050 Lawrenceville Highway, Decatur. 404-371-4557, potteryplacedecatur.com.
Atlanta Clay Works
Atlanta clay works offer pottery classes once a month. Private parties, eight-week classes and so much more are available, too.
Noon-7 p.m. Thursdays; noon-5 p.m. Fridays-Sundays. Various prices. 42 Howard St. SE, Atlanta. 678-778-7082, atlclayworks.org.
MudFire
Though they do not have all the major pottery classes in Atlanta, you can get lessons in throwing, hand-building or glazing whenever you visit them.
Noon-10 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; noon-8 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays; noon-10 p.m Mondays. Various prices. 175 Laredo Drive, Decatur. 404-377-8033, mudfire.com.
Just Kiln’ Time
They have classes for all ages. Classes are available 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays.
Various prices. 27 Atlanta St. SE, Marietta. 678-214-5155, justkilntime.com.
Art & Soul Studio
Art & Studio will walk you through various techniques and supplies in order to help you craft your very own masterpiece.
Classes are available 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Fridays-Wednesdays. Various prices. 4920 Roswell Road, Suite 44, Atlanta. 404-303-9959, artandsoulstudio.com.
Eye Candy Art Studio
Here you can even try out the canvas and wineglass painting.
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesdays; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 1-5 p.m. Sundays. Various prices. 3127 Main St., Duluth. 678-714-5683, eyecandyartstudio.net.
ABC Pottery Art Studio
This art studio provides pottery painting, clay sculpting and pottery wheel activities for both adults and children.
10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon-6 p.m. Sundays. Various prices.
Sugarloaf Mills Mall, 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. 678-847-5761, abcpottery.com.
Johns Creek Arts Center
This is one of the places where you can find pottery classes in Atlanta. Their instructors will teach you methods to help you advance your skillset no matter your level of experience.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. Various prices. 6290 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek. 770-623-8448, johnscreekarts.org.
Georgia Tech Paper & Clay
- Address: 350 Ferst Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, United States
- Phone: +1 404-894-2827
- Visit their Website
Conclusion on the pottery classes in Atlanta
Teaching yourself the basics of making pottery is a long process. Making just a piece of pottery can take as long as a month to complete.
If you are searching for places to learn the techniques and tips of pottery making, there are pottery-making videos and books that are meant for that.
These videos and books are important, however, they can’t put their hand on yours and show you how much pressure to apply or how the clay should feel at each stage of the process like you would learn in most pottery classes in Atlanta.
Therefore, it is recommended that every beginner go and get signed up for a pottery class before considering putting their hands on a piece of clay.
What are your thoughts about the Pottery Classes in Atlanta? Please share your thoughts with our readers.
Editor’s Pick