Blue Ridge Pottery - Classes

Pottery Class Weekends
June 7~8, 21~22 July 12~13, 26~27 August 9~10, 23~24

"This has been the experience of a lifetime".  Not one, but many of our weekend class students have had this response to a weekend "in the clay".  From learning to throw on the wheel, to making mugs on our jigger and hand built platters with lots of individual creativity, this class provides a wide range of clay experience in a working studio.  Our master potters give individual attention in these small classes which enables the novice or "wannabee potter" to be successful at the earliest stages.

Once your pieces are completed they will be glazed with our original and beautiful Blue Ridge Pottery glazes.  Start your own collection of your personal work or give them away as beautiful gifts that have your personal energy in them.  Many of our past students have made twelve to fifteen pieces in their weekend of potting.  Find and express your own creativity and have your "experience of a lifetime" playing in the mud.

We have been running this class for three years now and have sold out virtually every class.  Book early at one of our properties (book now) to ensure your place (our first class on January 12-13 is already full).  We look forward to meeting you and spending a creative weekend in the clay together.

 Alun Ward, Master Potter

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Class Details

Enjoy  a wonderful, relaxing summer weekend and learn a new skill ( or polish an old one!)  with our Summer Clay Class Package.  Available with a two night stay at Blue Ridge Pottery's relaxing accommodations at either the Blue Ridge Mountain Inn or Blue Vistas Cabin ( Friday and Saturday ) for the regular cost of your room plus $100 per person.  Join the professional artists of Blue Ridge Pottery and learn to make pottery on the wheel or use hand building techniques.

Sample Pottery Class
Itinerary

Friday:  Check in Friday evening and enjoy a relaxing night at one of our fine accommodations.

Saturday
10:00 am: Studio Tour and Introduction to "Blue Ridge Pottery" -- Join our potters in a detailed studio tour of our production facilities and observe Artists/Apprentices creating and finishing pottery in various stages of the 4 week process each piece of our stoneware goes through.

11:00 am: Coffee Break -- Join us for coffee and a snack to sustain you as you work through the morning.

11:20 am: Begin Clay Work -- Students will begin with Wheel Throwing and/or Hand Building Projects based on experience level and class size.

12:30 pm: Lunch Break/Open Studio Time -- There is ample time to visit the Lafayette Restaurant, Vinny's or the Blue Ridge Cafe to have a bite to eat before the afternoon session. Those who wish to eat quick and get some more practice in are welcome to pack a sandwich and work through lunch.

2:00 pm: Mold making demonstration. Learn about how plaster molds are made for our high-speed jigger machine from a conceptual design or from an original thrown pot. Throughout the afternoon, students will have the opportunity to create a mug or matching set of mugs on the jigger machine.

2:30 pm: Continued clay work with either wheel thrown or hand built projects.

4:00 pm: Finish for the day.

Sunday
10:00 am Trimming and Handle making workshop. -- Students will see how Blue Ridge Pottery is trimmed and signed, then trim their own mugs and apply the handles ( Custom fit to their own thumb!!! ).

11:00 am: Continued clay work in both hand building and wheel throwing.

12:00 pm: Lunch Break/Open Studio Time

1:30 pm: Wrap up session. -- Those who need to get on the road can finish up on their works in progress and make arrangements for finishing and firing their pieces.

2:00 to 4:00 pm: Open studio time for students wishing to stay for the afternoon. Potters will be available for questions and to give pointers when needed.

          Check Out -

Two Pieces glazed and fired included in the price of the package.  Additional pieces may be glazed and fired for a fee of $10-$25 per piece plus packaging and shipping fees.  Enrich your artistic abilities and deepen your art appreciation in this fun, creative and exciting winter weekend getaway!

This package is only offered in the Summer so book now!