Wheel Throwing I is designed for beginners to intermediate students who have little to no experience working with clay, or who have taken beginners classes and are working on refining and practicing their skills at the wheel, primarily in basic and functional forms. Demonstrations will cover wedging, centering, and forming shapes such as mugs, bowls and plates. You will also learn basic glazing and decorating techniques.

Wheel Throwing I: Cylindrical Forms is designed for beginners to intermediate students who have little to no experience working with clay, or who have taken beginners classes and are working on refining and practicing their skills at the wheel, with a specification in cylindrical forms. This course will explore a diverse array of cylindrical forms, (ex. travel coffee mugs, candle holders, vases, luminaries, etc.) as well as the foundational tenants of working on the potters wheel, wedging and glazing.

Wheel Throwing I: Bowl Forms is designed for beginners to intermediate students who have little to no experience working with clay, or who have taken beginners classes and are working on refining and practicing their skills at the wheel, with a specification in bowl forms. This course will explore a diverse array of bowl forms, (ex. serving bowls, colanders, altered chip and dips, nesting bowls, etc.) as well as the foundational tenants of working on the potters wheel, wedging and glazing. Students will learn about consistency in pulling tall and wide walls.

Wheel Throwing II is designed for wheel students who have taken a minimum of 2 - 3 wheel classes and feel comfortable working on the potter's wheel. They should feel confident working through all forms in the EHC Wheel I syllabus independently, and should be able to center 3-5lbs of clay before graduating to Wheel II. Students taking this class should be able to confidently center clay on the wheel, with basic trimming skills and confidence pulling walls. Talk to your Wheel I teacher if you’re not sure if you’re ready for Wheel II! This class will focus on more complex throwing techniques and more advanced exploration of surface design.

Wheel thrown and altered students have a working knowledge of the potter's wheel and should have taken 2 - 3 beginner wheel classes; they should be comfortable centering and trimming. During this class we will combine wheel throwing and slab building techniques to create original functional pottery. Forms will be thrown and altered, and utilize additive and subtractive techniques in order to create a variety of endless shapes. Some projects may include hollow vases, chip and dips, bowls with decorative rims, oval forms and stacked thrown forms.

Throwing Tall Forms is designed for students who have taken a minimum of 2-3 wheel classes and who feel confident working on the potter's wheel. Students taking this class should be comfortable centering clay on the wheel, trimming and pulling walls consistently. In this class we will explore the techniques required to create a variety of tall forms including but not limited to pitchers, vases, tall and stacked vessels. Students will explore variety of ways to add height to their pieces, including joins.

Teapot Intensive students should have a working knowledge of the potter's wheel and should have taken 2-3 beginner classes; they should be comfortable centering and trimming. During this class we will combine wheel throwing and hand building techniques in a focused exploration of the ceramic teapot, students will learn advanced techniques and their applications in a variety of teapot forms. This course will teach students the intricacies of constructing a multi part functional form on and after the wheel. Students will be encouraged to explore their own unique style to their work throughout the term.

Wheel II - Set the Table students should have taken a minimum of 2 classes and feel comfortable working on the potter’s wheel. In this course, students will create a variety of forms to set your table in this class designed with dinnerware in mind. Students will work towards consistency in their sets (which may include plates, bowls, casserole dishes, etc.) in a style that is unique to them. This course will help you to develop your unique voice and style when creating classic and advanced forms for your table.

Wheel II - Lidded Forms students should have taken a minimum of 2 classes and feel comfortable working on the potter’s wheel. We will design and create multiple lidded forms on the wheel (example: jars, casseroles, butter bells, sugar jars and salt cellars, etc.) Students will learn to make various types of lids for all kinds of vessels including working with enclosed forms that become lidded forms. Students taking this class should be confident centering clay on the wheel, raising walls and trimming.

Surface Design students should have taken a minimum of 2 Easthampton Clay classes in order to register. In this class we will explore a variety of ceramic surface design techniques and their practical applications. From brush work, underglaze, oxide and slip application, sgraffito, Mishima, water-etching, paper, tape and wax resist, glazing and more, students will learn a wide variety of techniques primarily on test tiles, with the option to bring techniques to handbuilt and/or wheel thrown projects (please note that wheel space is not guaranteed for this course). Find your artistic voice and a style that suits your unique ceramic work this class! All additional materials for surface design technique will be included with the cost of the class. Now 2.5 hours!

In Ceramic Jewelry Making, students will explore the many principals of handbuilding, surface design and jewelry construction. In this course students will learn a wide variety of methods to approach ceramic jewelry design and construction, from slab work to working “tiny”, surface design, sprig molds and much more. Learn to put your personal style into your very own ceramic jewelry sets, from design to construction with high fire wire. Easthampton Clay will provide all required materials for surface design and jewelry construction, with an optional list of suggested additional materials. This is a unique class perfect for those looking to apply their creative eye to cohesive sets of handmade jewelry.  

This class will cater to both beginners and experienced handbuilders. Students will be guided through creating functional and sculptural ceramic work, without any use of the wheel. Projects may include cups, bowls, vases, baking dishes, platters and much more. Students will learn basic construction techniques from around the world such as pinching, coiling, slabs,  and using molds, as well as basic surface design exploration. This class is the perfect opportunity for creatives. 

Handbuilding II students should have taken a minimum of 2-3 handbuilding classes at EHC or have a proven, confident background in handbuilding before registering. In this highly focused, advanced coil course, students will build upon foundational handbuilding techniques to construct a variety of forms, including folded vessels, stacked conical forms, flat vases, rocking forms, lidded forms, sculptural butter dishes, jugs and more! Learn the many intricacies of the coil technique with advanced handbuilding instructor Michele.

Handbuilding II students should have taken a minimum of 2-3 handbuilding classes at EHC or have a proven, confident background in handbuilding before registering. In this course, students will be building upon foundational handbuilding techniques to explore the many intricacies and wide world of slab building. This will be a highly focused course in which students will construct a variety of forms, including folded vessels, stacked conical forms, flat vases, rocking forms, lidded forms, sculptural butter dishes, jugs, and more!

Discover the joy of transforming clay into art in this hands-on Art of Tile Class. This course guides you through the full creative process—from shaping and forming your tiles to adding depth, color, texture, and personality. Students will explore both traditional and contemporary techniques while creating three unique tile projects, each designed to build skills and confidence. Students in this class should have a minimum of 1 beginner handbuilding class under their belt.

Handbuilding II: Sculpture students should have taken a minimum of 2-3 hand building classes at EHC or have a proven, confident background in hand building and sculpture prior to registering. In this course students will explore an introduction to sculpture using advanced skills in pinch, slab, coil and other 3D and textural elements of working with clay. This class will focus primarily on figurative sculpture techniques, with elements of self portraiture woven into the curriculum. Students can expect to create 3-4 projects over the course of 8 weeks, which can be as realistic or whimsical as each maker prefers. A sketch book is a required additional item for this course.

Handbuilding II: Fun, Funky & Functional students should have taken a minimum of 2-3 hand building classes at EHC or have a proven, confident background in hand building and sculpture prior to registering. This unique and fun course students will explore both functionalware and sculpture. Students will learn to merge creativity and functionality, resulting in pieces that enhance living spaces and everyday objects. We will be looking at historical and architectural references, objects and materials to help inspire throughout the term. Students can expect to problem solve fabrication and design challenges, with a distinct focus on surface using textures, slips, underglazes, and stains. 

Altars and shrines have been created across cultures and throughout history as places of reflection, intention, remembrance, and offering.

This intermediate–advanced handbuilding class focuses on the creation of clay altars and shrines as intentional, sculptural objects. Students will explore hinges, architectural form, niche building, and complex slab and coil construction to create wall-mounted or freestanding works that hold symbolic, ritual, or personal meaning.

Emphasis will be placed on refined construction, structural problem-solving, thoughtful surface development, and conceptual clarity. Students are encouraged to work at larger scale and to push detail through carving, relief, and layered surfaces. Prior handbuilding experience is required.

This class is ideal for makers interested in combining narrative, symbolism, and technical precision in a focused, concept-driven project.

Let There Be Light is an advanced, 8 week handbuilding course that will explore the intersection of form, function, and lighting. Students move beyond basic vessels to design and construct 3 complex ceramic lamp or sconce bases, integrating internal wiring channels and hardware with precision. Bridging sculptural and functional vessels with decorative lighting, the class emphasizes advanced slab, coil, and pinching techniques while addressing key architectural challenges, ensuring each piece is both structurally sound and artistically refined.

Through a progressive, hands-on curriculum, students will develop skills in design engineering, large-scale construction, surface development, and lighting assembly. Topics include blueprinting for stability and wiring, advanced slab and coil techniques, carving and light-piercing, precision refinement, and glaze strategies that enhance form through light and shadow. The course culminates in a hands-on wiring workshop and final critique, where students complete and illuminate their finished works. A strong foundation in handbuilding and experience creating hollow forms is recommended.

This is a self guided course that gives advanced students the freedom to create projects of their choice at their own pace without direct instruction or required curriculum. Independent Study students should have a minimum of 3 classes under their belt and should feel confident with Easthampton Clay studio rules and with independence on the wheel. This class will come with access to studio materials (bats, wheels, shelves and bins, slab rollers, slips, glazes, etc.), standard practice time access in addition to the 2 class hours each week, as well as a suggested-projects-guide to reference for curriculum if you’re seeking inspiration. Please note that you will not have a teacher to guide you through this course, so you should feel confident without an instructor before registering. Please note whether the course specifies ‘Wheel’ or ‘Handbuilding’ before registering, as the two modalities are separated into two classes.

Classes labeled 'Queer Class' will mirror the curriculum of its standard counterpart (for example, Wheel I.5: Queer Class will mirror Wheel I.5), with a specific offering to our Queer community. Queer classes are designed to be a safe and social environment for adults 18 and over from the LGBTQIA+ community. 

This all-levels class for kids ages 7-14 will offer fun, planned out projects with lots of room for creativity and individual ideas. We will explore and develop skills in hand-building, surface decoration, wheel-throwing, and glazing. This class does not include make-ups for missed classes or practice time. Students will be separated into 2 classrooms based on age.