Prospective Student Information
Pottery classes for adults
Class Description
We offer standard and level 2 adult wheel throwing classes.
Standard Classes are for beginner through advanced students, with individualized instruction based on students’ interests. Basic wheel throwing techniques will be covered.
Techniques for making a variety of forms such as mugs, plates, bowls, vases, pitchers will be demonstrated. Textured and altered forms will be explored, as well as a variety of glazing and decorating techniques. Understanding and control of the materials and craft will enable you to design and develop your own style.
Beginning students usually produce from one to three pots per day. When finished, all pots are food safe and usable in a microwave, dishwasher or oven.
Level 2 classes focus on techniques for making more complex forms that may have lids, handles, and other attachments. Examples could be teapots, jars, casseroles, pitchers, vases and vessels. For adding value to your work, we will cover altering, carving, texture, painting and slip decoration. Emphasis will be placed on design, aesthetics, understanding the nature of clay, the history of the craft, and developing your own voice and style. Prerequisite: at least two beginner classes and the desire to learn.
Studio Work Flow
Every class you make pots. By class 2, the pots from week one will be dry enough to trim and sign. When those pots are fully dry, they are ready for the bisque firing, which takes 9 hours and goes to 1900 degrees F . After that, your pots are called “bisqueware.” Prior to the bisque firing, pots will dissolve in water. After the bisque, they will not dissolve. On the fourth week of class, the pots you made during week one and trimmed on week two will be bisqued and ready to wax and glaze. After glazing, your pots are fired a second time to 2400 degrees F. That firing takes 18 hours to heat up and 18 hours to cool down. When finished, your porcelain pottery will be safe to use in an oven, microwave, and dishwasher. Each week, you make new pots, trim pots from the previous week, and glaze your bisque ware.
Why choose Us
- Small class sizes
- Over 30 gorgeous high-fire reduction glazes
- Instruction by professional potters
- Frequent firings – consistently excellent results
- Superbly maintained studio
- Individualized instruction in an artist’s studio
- Day and evening classes
- Your pots are dried to leather hard for you.
- Great quality Grolleg porcelain imported form England
- Personal clay storage
- Low fees
- A secure environment for you and your pots
Class Schedule
Term B starts February 23 , 2024
Term C starts April 23, 2024
Term D starts June 18, 2024
Term E starts August 27, 2024
Term F starts October 21, 2024
Term A starts January 7, 2025
Instructors
Tuesday Evening 6:30 – 9:30 – Garrick Tai-Lee
Wednesday Morning 9:30 – 12:30- Bennett Graves
Wednesday Evening 6:30 – 9:30 – Bennett Graves
Thursday Evening 6:30 – 9:30 – Jennifer Ashwash
Glazes for Students
We have over 30 beautiful glazes and glaze combinations that number in the hundreds. These glazes represent a lifetime of research and experimentation.
At Fireborn, we have a vested interest in beautiful glazes because we use them on our own pottery. You benefit directly from our hard work, research, and knowledge.
A Typical Class Schedule
6:30 to 6:45 – set up/new student orientation
6:45 to 7:15 – demonstrations (see below)
7:15 to 8:30 – individual help with throwing and trimming
8:30 to 9:15 – glazing
9:15 to 9:30 – clean-up
Typical Demonstrations
Plates and Platters
Pie, Quiche, and Soufflé
Small bowls
Teabowls and Unomi
Rice bowls
Large Bowl Variations
Mugs
Various Mug Handle Techniques
Flowerpots, Utensil Holders
Lids
Honey Pots, Garlic Keepers
Jars and Canisters
Handles and Knobs for Lids
Surface Design and Texture
Alternate Lips and Feet
Casseroles
Teapots
Altered Forms
Trimming
Critical analysis
Glaze application
Arnold Breslow
In Memoriam
All who knew Arnold at Fireborn Studios loved him. We are saddened to learn of his passing on February 16, 2023.
Arnold made thousands of pots in his years at our classes and brought joy to so many people. He was a true gentleman and he will live in our hearts forever.
https://obits.slaterfuneral.com/arnold-breslow
How to Enroll
Tuition for an 8-week class
Classes are posted approximately 6 weeks before the term begins. They tend to fill quickly.
We are no longer collecting deposits first and balances later. The full amount is now due when you sign up.
For Level 2 classes there is a fixed price of $400 for everyone.
For standard classes there is a 3-tiered price structure. For an 8-week term, new students pay $420. For students not currently enrolled but who have previously taken classes at Fireborn (returning students), there is a $20 discount. For currently enrolled students who are rolling over into the next term without a break (continuing students), there is a $40 discount. All payments must be made online.
Payments and sign up are done on our other website.
Tuition includes 25 pounds of clay, and glaze. Additional clay may be purchased as needed.
Other Offerings
Private Lessons
Would you like to take a private lesson? Read More.
Workshops
We occasionally offer workshops on Saturdays starting at 9:30 and going until noon. READ MORE
Saturday Open Studio
We Saturday Open Studio about once a month from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. for currently enrolled students. You must be a current student and sign up and pay. Read More
Firing Services/Studio Space
If you want to rent firing services or studio space… Read More
Things To Bring to class
You will need a toolkit, bucket and brush which we sell online, and you can pick up on the first day of class. You will also need an old hand towel and medium-size clean-up sponge.
Make-Up Policy
We do not offer make up classes. However, students who miss one or more classes within a term should consider signing up for Open Studio. There is no instruction during Open Studio, but it is a great way to get in extra practice.
CANCELLATIONS, WITHDRAWALS & REFUNDS
If students withdraw within 8 to 15 days of the start of class, a $50 withdrawal fee will be charged. After that a $100 withdrawal fee will be charged. However, once classes have started there will be no refunds at all. There are no refunds for students who need to self-quarantine. Stay safe!! See complete terms.
Satisfied Potters
Fireborn is perfect for beginners or more advanced students. They mix the class with all levels of experience so you can always learn and get inspiration from those around you. Since the class sizes are small, you get all the attention you need and it keeps it a very relaxed environment. Dan and Dacey encourage and help you make awesome pottery. You really get the most for your money. I took this class for the first time before Christmas and had beautiful gifts to give away. Altogether I had a great experience and I would recommend this class to anyone.
“Grant flooring did a great job installing the maple hardwood floor in our kitchen and bedroom room! They started and completed the work on time as promisI've been taking classes at Fireborn Studios for a few months now, and I absolutely love it. Beyond the access to great materials (quality clay and a variety of beautiful glazes) and tools (the wheels for throwing and trimming, the kiln of course), it's a really nice atmosphere and good company. The other students are friendly and helpful, and the teachers are a delight... even when they're on the third round of showing me the same technique, one-on-one. There's a nice balance between structured lessons and the freedom to do what you're interested in individually. I couldn't be happier with my experience!ed and we are delighted with the results! I would most certainly use Grant Flooring again and I would recommend them.”
