Pottery and clay classes
Pottery and clay classes
Learn fundamental handbuilding techniques or take the potter’s wheel for a spin in our pottery and clay classes. Explore finishing and glaze processes. Experience the versatility of clay. We have pottery classes for all ages and skill levels.
Benefits of learning pottery and clay
Pottery is an art form that's been around for thousands of years and has evolved from making simple everyday objects to intricate works of art.
Working with clay is physical. It strengthens your hands, wrists, arms and core. Handling clay captures your senses and draws your focus into the present.
Winter registration dates
- 6 a.m. — Online (virtual waiting room opens at 5:30 a.m.)
- 8:30 a.m. — By calling the Customer Service Centre at 403-268-3800 (option 1)
- During business hours — At any City-operated Aquatic & Recreation or Arts facility
Types of pottery and clay classes
You can register online, in person at our Recreation facilities, or by calling
403-268-3800.
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Preschoolers will grow their imagination while being introduced to working with clay. All supplies are provided.
Age: 4 - 5 years
Prerequisite: Must be toilet trained and comfortable not having a parent in the classroom
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Teens will learn clay techniques to create sculpture and pottery, while growing their handbuilding skills and creativity. All supplies are provided.
Age: 13 - 17 years
Prerequisite: None
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You will be introduced to handbuilding with clay while learning a variety of building methods and decorating techniques.
Age: 18+
Prerequisite: None
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Continue to expand your handbuilding skills by working with an instructor to create your own ideas and set goals for yourself while working with clay.
Age: 18+
Prerequisite: Confident in beginner handbuilding skills or above
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In this two-day class, you will design and create festive clay holiday ornaments and tags. All supplies are provided.
Age: 18+
Prerequisite: None
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Through fun and imaginative activities, kids will be introduced to building with clay. All supplies are provided.
Age: 6 - 12 years
Prerequisite: None
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Kids will learn clay handbuilding skills while creating their favourite winter animal. They will also have a chance to paint their sculpture. All supplies are provided.
Age: 6 - 8 years
Prerequisite: None
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Over two classes, you and your child will create a clay cottage. You will learn and grow your handbuilding and decorating skills. Return each year to build your clay village. All supplies are provided.
Age: 6 - 17 years + adult
Prerequisite: One-to-one parent to kid/teen ratio
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Working together and individually, you and your child will develop clay creating skills. All supplies are provided.
Ages: 6 - 17 years + adult
Prerequisite: Children must be accompanied by an adult
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Together, you and your preschooler will expand your imaginations and learn the basics of working with clay. All supplies are provided.
Age: 3 - 5 years + adult
Prerequisite: One-to-one parent to preschooler ratio
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You and your child will be introduced to basic wheel throwing skills. You will both work on your own wheel.
Age: 9 - 17 years + adult
Prerequisite: One-to-one parent to kid/teen ratio
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Teens will be introduced to wheel throwing techniques through instruction and practice. All supplies are provided.
Age: 13 - 17 years
Prerequisite: None
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In this single class, you will have fun while discovering the potter’s wheel. All supplies are provided but does not include any take-home pieces.
Age: 18+
Prerequisite: None
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You will be introduced to wheel throwing techniques through instruction and practice.
Age: 18+
Prerequisite: None
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Continue to grow your wheel throwing skills while practicing more advanced techniques.
Age: 18+
Prerequisite: Confident in beginner wheel throwing skills or above
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Grow your current wheel-throwing skills and create personal projects. An instructor will help you to identify areas of improvement.
Age: 18+
Prerequisite: Confident in intermediate wheel throwing skills or above
About our art instructors
Our instructors are practicing artists that have formal art training and teaching experience. They offer their expertise in a variety of disciplines and enjoy working with people of all ages and abilities.
Our instructors ensure that classes are always fresh and challenging for new and returning participants. They adapt to students' needs and encourage them to try new ideas and methods.
What are classes like?
Students will learn different techniques for working in clay such as building with slabs, coils, and working on a potter’s wheel. You’ll learn surface decoration and glazing processes. Discover a bit of the science of ceramics, when the materials meet extreme heat.
Classes usually begin with a topic discussion and technique demonstrations. Much of the class time will be practicing skills and applying what's been learned. Class length is determined by age group:
- All adult classes are two and a half-hour long
- School age children are 90 minutes long
- Preschool 60 minutes long
Come prepared
- Bringing an apron and a towel to a clay class is recommended (adult classes)
- Clothes that you're ok to get clay on
- Closed-toed shoes
- Waterbottle
Unless otherwise stated in a particular adult class, supplies are extra and a shopping list of materials will be discussed during the first class. All tools and supplies for kids classes are included.
Your safety comes first
Working with clay comes with a variety of hazards. Both our art centres are ISO Environment certified for your safety.
- Glazes are made on site by our trained technicians. They are tested for consistency, lead-free and food safe.
- Our ceramic kilns are ventilated and located a safe distance from the studio areas.
- We use approved, non-toxic art materials in our children's programs.
You might be interested in
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Move your body, learn the technical elements of various dance forms and express yourself through the art of dance.
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Develop your skills in composition, shading, space, and line work.
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Try several techniques, including dyeing, felting, weaving and printing.
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Learn painting skills using acrylics, oils and water colours
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Try various techniques such as drawing, carving and etching to create multiples of images.
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Express yourself through wide variety of arts like painting, drawing, fibre arts, clay, and more.