Teens Pottery Classes In San Diego, CA
Teens Pottery Classes in San Diego
Learn to Throw on the Wheel and Hand Build in Pottery Classes in San Diego
Explore our diverse range of pottery classes in San Diego, tailored for everyone from beginners to experienced potters. If you’re seeking a single night of creativity, join us for a workshop, and learn to hand build a sculpture or vase and/or try throwing pottery on the wheel for the first time! If you are eager to give pottery the chance to become your new obsession, join our comprehensive 5-class series. Our life long potters will provide you with all the expertise, tips and tricks, encouragement, and equipment you need. Our studio provides a supportive environment where students and teachers alike share techniques that work best for them so we can all create, connect, and collaborate.
“The art of pottery is learning to center yourself, coax earth into art, and turn intention to stone.”
Check out one-off workshops, 5 class series, and memberships below!
Pottery Workshops
Hand Building and Wheel Throwing Workshops
Learn to Hand Build AND Throw on the Wheel | $85
Fridays, 6:00-9:00pm
October 25, November 22, December 20
Discover the art of shaping beautiful forms like vases, trays, or sculptures. Learn building blocks like slabs, pinch pots, or coils. AND try throwing pottery on the wheel for the first time! This is a hands-on experience for about 10-minutes, pulling and compressing walls from pre-centered clay. These one-off workshops are perfect for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Learn to Throw on the Wheel | $75
Fridays, 6:00-9:00pm
October 11, November 8
Find your new obsession with our focused, wheel throwing only workshop. With expert guidance, learn all the essentials of centering, establishing a floor, compressing, and pulling walls to shape your pottery. Pick two pieces to fire in the kiln. Space is limited to 8 to ensure personalized attention.
5 Class Pottery Series
Series in Wheel Throwing or Hand Building
Wheel Throwing | $325
5 Tuesdays, Nov 5-Dec 10, 6:30-8:30pm* with Ruben
5 Thursdays, Nov 7-Dec 12, 7:00-9:00pm* with Dan
Immerse yourself in the foundational skills of pottery with our Wheel Throwing series. Learn to center, throw, shape, trim, glaze, and more, transforming clay into functional and artistic pieces. Our life-long potters have loads of tips and tricks to find the techniques that work best for you. Additional wheel time can be booked by emailing hello@theartistoutpost.com. *Arrive 10 minutes early to set up and stay 15 minutes to clean up.
Hand Building | $325
Inquire about the Series
Explore the art of sculpting intricate forms by hand in our Hand Building series. From functional pieces to fine art, learn building techniques like pinch pots, coil pots, slabs, darting, embossing, and more. Hand Building allows you to build spectacular, special forms that are not limited by the potter’s wheel.
Dedicated potters can now join the studio as members!
Pottery Memberships in San Diego
Requirements for Membership
- Application Process: Members must complete a questionnaire and/or submit photos showcasing their pottery skills to qualify for membership.
- Contact: For registration and additional queries, email us at hello@theartistoutpost.com or use the contact page.
Facilities:
- 7 wheels and 4 hand-building spaces available per session.
- Unlocked cubbies for tool/clay storage.
- Additional studio time at $50 per 3-hour drop-in session.
Firing Services:
- Monthly firings are guaranteed. We fire what you create using the provided clay. Additional clay can be purchased with a built-in firing fee. Staff prioritize based on size and scale of projects.
- Studio recycles pieces left behind after 2 weeks.
Fall Premium Membership - $225/month
Dates: August 12 – December 22, 2024
Schedule (Additional hours available upon request. Subject to change.):
- Mondays: 1:00 – 4:00 PM + 6:00 – 9:00 PM
- Tuesdays: 1:00 – 4:00 PM
- Wednesdays: 9:00 – 4:00 PM + 6:00 – 9:00 PM
- Thursdays: 9:00 – 6:00 PM
- Fridays: 9:00 – 5:00 PM
- Sundays: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Includes: 24 hours of studio time per month in 2 to 3 hour sessions, a 25 pound bag of LBW70 clay, tools, firings, and glazes. Additional LBW70 or B-Mix clay available for purchase. Note: Studio occasionally closed for private events. Membership auto-renews monthly.
- Sign-Up: Contact us at hello@theartistoutpost.com to book your membership.
Membership Perks for Pottery Classes in San Diego
Choose one perk each month:
- Buddy pass
- Free monthly paint/life drawing night
- Free entry to Art Club After Dark Party
- 10% off a 5-class or 6-class pottery or art series
- 10% off a specialized monthly workshop
- 10% off a youth class or camp
Note: Membership hours do not roll over to the next month. No exceptions.
Gift Creativity!
Purchase a gift card today and unlock a world of artistic possibilities for anyone in your life. Ideal for any occasion, our gift cards allow the recipient to choose their favorite art class at their convenience.
POTTERY FAQs
What will I learn in a wheel throwing class?
Our series are designed for beginners, but our experienced teachers will connect with students, whatever their level, to support them with feedback and challenges. We show you how to wedge and center your clay, and how to pull walls while compressing the floor and walls as you go. We first focus on pulling a cylinder because from that form, all other forms can be made. We teach trimming and pulling handles, a variety of other forms on the wheel, and several glazing techniques.
Why is an Artist Outpost class helpful to a beginner potter?
Every potter will tell you, techniques that work for one potter won’t necessarily work for another, so learning from a life long potter, who has a ton of tips and tricks, is very helpful. Our teachers can suggest a multitude of methods for each stage of throwing so your experience can be customized to fit your strength, your body, your preference.
What are some common issues in pottery making and how to avoid them?
Clay must be wedged to remove air bubbles, which can cause a piece to burst in the bisque fire process. Clay pieces must also be bone dry before being bisque fired because moisture can cause pieces to burst in the kiln. Cracking can be avoided by compressing the floor and walls while throwing. Glaze layers must dry between new applications to avoid some common glazing issues. We have loads of tips, tricks, and practical advice in our pottery classes in Ocean Beach, CA at The Artist Outpost.
What are some beginner projects for pottery?
Beginner projects can include simple items like mugs, bowls, and small sculptures. These projects help build foundational skills in both hand-building and wheel-throwing. Start your pottery journey with our beginner-friendly classes in Ocean Beach, CA at The Artist Outpost.
What are the basic techniques in pottery making?
Basic pottery techniques include hand-building (such as pinching, coiling, and slab building) and wheel throwing. Learn these techniques and more at our pottery classes near you in Ocean Beach, CA at The Artist Outpost.
What are the stages of clay?
We wait for clay to become bone dry before we bisque fire it in our kiln at 1600 degrees. You glaze your pieces (unless you’re in a one-off workshop, which we glaze for you) and we glaze fire them at over 2000 degrees. After cooling for 24 hours, we unload the kiln.
What types of clay are used in pottery?
The most common types of clay used in pottery are earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Each type has different properties and firing temperatures. To explore these different clays, attend our pottery classes in Ocean Beach, CA at The Artist Outpost.
Why Join Our Pottery Classes in San Diego?
Join a Thriving Pottery Community in San Diego, CA
Experience the tactile joy and challenge of expressing yourself through the art of pottery at The Artist Outpost. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, our studio provides the perfect setting for you to delve into the world of clay and ceramics.
Here’s why you should join us:
Creative Community
Become part of a vibrant community of artists and pottery enthusiasts in San Diego. Our classes offer more than just skill development; they are a place to connect with others who share your passion for creating beautiful, functional art.
Explore and Grow
We offer a variety of pottery classes, from introductory workshops where you can mold your first piece to advanced series that delve into complex techniques and large-scale projects. No matter your skill level, there's always a new technique to master or a new design to try!
Expert Guidance
Our instructors are not only passionate about pottery but are also seasoned artisans dedicated to the craft. They provide personalized attention and detailed guidance, ensuring you learn the proper techniques and feel confident in your abilities to create stunning ceramic art.
