There are pottery classes in New Jersey where you can learn such things as refining techniques, the basics of the pottery wheel and some hand building.
Pottery classes will teach you how to throw different forms, alter, trim, and glaze.
There are advanced pottery classes that focus on refining techniques on and off the wheel, glazing and surface decorations, discussion and critique of work.
In the pottery classes in New Jersey, you will be taking some hand-building classes that focus on the basic and immediate hand-building techniques: pinching, coiling, slab work and using slump and hump molds. Before we look at the pottery classes in New Jersey, let us look at the uses of pottery.
What are the uses of pottery classes?
Taking the pottery classes in New Jersey speeds up the learning process incredibly fast. In this section, we will be looking at some of the reasons why a new potter should take a pottery-making 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
Receive Hands-On Training
One of the benefits of pottery classes is the hands-on training that you receive.
In the pottery classes in New Jersey, you will find someone who will guide you and help position your hands properly; which is an essential part of getting a feel for how clay moves through your fingers and hands.
Because you have never thrown clay on the wheel before, it can be a bit harder to learn from just videos.
Guide You in Centering and Pulling
In pottery, centring is very essential, and most beginners struggle with it.
In the pottery schools in New Jersey, you have access to an instructor who will help you out.
They can see what you are doing wrong and give you suggestions on what you can do next.
When working on a particular project, the instructor is there to help you know how much pressure to apply and how fast your wheel should spin.
Knowing What To Wear
Pottery classes teach you some basic things such as knowing what to wear and what not to wear.
Though in pottery classes, you will be provided with aprons and towels if needed.
Learn About Clay
There are different types of clay, and pottery classes are will expose you to the different clays for firing temperatures.
You not only learn the different types of clays, but you also learn the different clay bodies for wheel throwing.
Wedging the Right Way
Pottery classes will help you know how clay is supposed to feel.
When taking your pottery class, the instructor will feel your clay to make sure it is not too soft or too firm.
They also try to make sure you are not creating air bubbles instead of eliminating them.
Get To Know Other Potters
If you are thinking about connecting with other potters, the pottery classes in New Jersey is one of the best places you can do that.
In the pottery classes in New Jersey, you will exchange pottery-making ideas as well as tips and tricks that you have learned along the way.
Get a Feel for Pottery Wheels
It might not be the best idea to invest in a pottery wheel without using one. Unfortunately, you can’t rent a pottery wheel to see how it feels.
Therefore, the pottery classes in New Jersey will give you the opportunity to know what the pottery wheel feels like.
Learn When and How to Trim
By taking the pottery classes in New Jersey, the instructors will show you how to trim, and through that, you can know what leather hard clay really feels like and when you can trim your piece.
Test Out the Many Tools
In the pottery classes in New Jersey, there are many tools you can try.
Having access to different decorative tools is nice.
This prepares you for
becoming a better potter.
Where to take pottery classes in New Jersey
There are many places to choose from when it comes to taking pottery classes. You can take pottery classes in the following areas:
+ A pottery studio in your area
+ An art supply store
+ Groupon
+ Community centres
+ Art centres
+ Your local community college or university
Is Pottery Hard To Learn?
Pottery is not hard to learn. The wonderful part of pottery is that there are many simple things you can create while just starting out.
Then as your interest and skill level grows, the more complex your pieces will become. What makes handmade pottery the best are the imperfections.
Basic Pottery Techniques
While in the pottery schools in New Jersey, you will be taught some of these techniques which can be used by potters and ceramic artists.
They are:
- Throwing
- Trimming
- Slip Carving, or Sgraffito
- Bisque Firing
- Glazing
- Glaze Firing
- Slip Trailing
- Raku
- Smoking, or Pit Firing
- Salt Firing
The List of Pottery Classes in New Jersey
The following places offer pottery classes:
- Mud Clay Studio
- The Clay Pot Pottery Studio
- Mud & Soul Clayworks
- The Wortendyke Studio
- Arts & Creations Pottery Studio
- Kissimmee River Pottery
- Tobang Ceramic Studio
- For Love of Mud Pottery
- BISC Pottery Studio
- That Pottery Place
- Burnt Mill Potters
- Mud Spinners Pottery Studio and Gallery
- Just Kiln Time Ceramics Studio
- Fahrenheit Ceramic Studio
- Mimi Stadler Pottery
- Say It With Clay
- The Painter’s Loft DIY Art & Pottery Wheel Studio
- Creating With Clay LLC
- Express Yourself Studios LLC
- Maverick Art Studio
Mud Clay Studio
Mud Clay Studio offer clay hand building-where students learn how to make something without the use of a pottery wheel.
They offer weekly pottery wheel classes for a period of 8 weeks for teens and adults.
They have Ladies Night, Couples Nights and Intro Classes.
There are summer camps as well, Weekly Sunday instructional hand-building workshops for the whole family and firing services for experienced potters.
- Address: 6 Main St, Madison, NJ 07940, United States
- Phone: +1 973-520-8480
- Visit Website
The Clay Pot Pottery Studio
The Clay Pot is a pottery studio located in Spotswood, New Jersey. They offer their students the option to work with clay.
People of all ages go to their studio to experience the thrill of turning a lump of clay into a fantastic piece of art by taking part in wheel experiences and wheel lessons.
- Address: 290 Main St, Spotswood, NJ 08884, United States
- Phone: +1 732-251-5112
- Website
Mud & Soul Clayworks
Here, there is full use of the studio’s equipment and tools, which includes: two kilns, a slab roller, eight wheels, and a multitude of tools including tile cutters, stamps, moulds/forms, texture mats and carving tools.
Members have access to the studio 24/7 via their own key.
- Address: 1275 Bloomfield Ave Building 1 Unit 2, Fairfield, NJ 07004, United States
- Phone: +1 973-521-7165
- Website
The Wortendyke Studio
Wortendyke Studio is a place to come and relax, unwind, forget about your busy life, and explore your creativity.
Its mission is to teach adults and children ceramic art by inspiring their individual artistic talents and to develop those talents to their fullest.
- Address: 211 Greenwood Ave, Midland Park, NJ 07432, United States
- Website
Arts & Creations Pottery Studio
Here you can choose your pottery from the 500 different pieces available.
There is a $5 flat rate sitting fee for anyone who is painting.
You can also choose which painting you would like to do: Acrylic or Glaze & Fire.
- Address: 964 McBride Ave, Woodland Park, NJ 07424, United States
- Phone: +1 973-837-8533
- Website
Kissimmee River Pottery
The classes are made up of beginner through advanced students.
Having the classes mixed in this way benefits beginners because they observe, question, and learn from others who have more experience.
- Address: 50 Mine St, Flemington, NJ 08822, United States
- Phone: +1 908-237-0671
- Website
Tobang Ceramic Studio
Address: 1224 Anderson Ave, Fort Lee, NJ 07024, United States
Phone: +1 201-417-8789
Website
For Love of Mud Pottery
Address: 16 Palomino Trail, Vernon Township, NJ 07462, United States
Phone: +1 973-534-6116
Website
BISC Pottery Studio
Address: 1738 E 2nd St, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076, United States
Phone: +1 908-900-5929
Website
That Pottery Place
Ever since their studio opened its doors more than 18 years ago, they’ve made it their goal to create a fun and relaxing atmosphere where you can spend time with your family and friends.
They are conveniently located close to Route 1 and Quakerbridge Mall.
Address: 217 Clarksville Rd Suite #14, West Windsor Township, NJ 08550, United States
Phone: +1 609-716-6200
Website
Burnt Mill Potters
Address: The Barn Studio, 220 Burnt Mill Rd, Branchburg, NJ 08876, United States
Phone: +1 908-507-8657
Website
Mud Spinners Pottery Studio and Gallery
Address: Ridgewood, NJ 07450, United States
Phone: +1 201-981-2792
Just Kil’n Time Ceramics Studio
Address: 1 Memorial Dr Unit #106, Waretown, NJ 08758, United States
Phone: +1 609-339-2679
Website
Say It With Clay
Say It With Clay has a mission to provide affordable art therapy programs for special needs individuals of all ages using the unique potential of clay to enhance and advance the psychotherapeutic process.
- Address: 644 Atlantic Ave, Collingswood, NJ 08108, United States
- Phone: +1 856-858-5994
- Website
Fahrenheit Ceramic Studio
Address: 8 S Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071, United States
Phone: +1 856-269-4931
Website
The Painter’s Loft DIY Art & Pottery Wheel Studio
They have an open studio for walk-in projects. Classes for beginners. They are always a BYOB Studio.
For Open Studio offer projects for all ages!
They offer canvas painting, paint your own pottery, wine glass painting, fused glass, mosaics and candle making!
- Phone: +1 609-730-4278
- Address: 1 Tree Farm Rd, Pennington, NJ 08534, United States
- Website
Creating With Clay LLC
Creating with clay offers a unique pottery experience through instructed classes.
The instructor gives guidance as they teach, encourage, and support the participants. Book a class.
Mimi Stadler Pottery
Address: 196 Windsor Way, Hillside, NJ 07205, United States
Phone: +1 732-492-8558
Website
Express Yourself Studios LLC
Express Yourself Studios is an art studio and art gallery. Since 2008 it has been dedicated to being an outlet for children and adults to express themselves creatively via classes in the arts on-site, off-site and virtually. Visit their Website.
Express Yourself Studios, LLC
1877 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, NJ 07040
973-763-5256
Maverick Art Studio
Maverick Art Studio is here to inspire your creative heart’s desire! They offer a terrific lineup of local artists who teach there.
You can sign up for a private painting lesson, music lessons, pottery classes, stained glass classes, mosaic classes, and summer camp.
Maverick Art Studio
106 N Main Street
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
609 465-9500
cell# 609 231-6565
email: info@maverickartstudio.com
Conclusion
The art of pottery is oftentimes described as therapeutic and relaxing. While spinning clay, your mind and body are in natural synergy, wrapped around your creative ambitions and goals.
This thoughtful, artistic activity can open up the mind and relieve you of outside worries.