Ceramic Handbuilding

Ceramic Hand Building Series

Age: 18+

Experience Level: All levels - Beginner Friendly.

Description

Join Pearl for a 4-class ceramic hand-building journey designed to build skills, confidence, and creative momentum. This series is perfect for beginners and anyone looking to deepen their relationship with clay - no previous experience required.

What to expect:

Across four 2.5-hour sessions, you’ll learn foundational hand-building techniques while creating a small collection of functional and sculptural ceramic pieces. Beginning with wedging and pinch pot forms, the series progresses through slab construction and coil building, allowing you to explore both structure and organic form.

Each class builds on the last, with clear demonstrations followed by hands-on making and personalized guidance. You’ll learn essential ceramic skills including scoring and slipping, smoothing and refining surfaces, adding texture and decoration, and troubleshooting common clay challenges. Throughout the series, you’ll be encouraged to experiment, slow down, and develop your own creative voice.

The final class focuses on glazing, where your pieces are transformed with colour, surface, and finish.

Your creative journey

Class 1 – March 22nd:

Introduction to clay, wedging, pinch pot basics, and foundational hand-building skills

Class 2 – March 29th:

Learn slab-building techniques and create functional, hand-built forms.

Class 3 – April 5th:

Coiling techniques for larger, curved vessels and bowls

No class April 12th to allow pieces to fully dry and be fired in preparation for glazing

Class 4 – April 19th (Glazing Day):

Glaze your finished pieces and bring everything together

This class will run from 10:00 am 5:00 pm to allow extra time for glazing if needed. Students may choose to attend during regular class hours if preferred.

At the end of the series, you’ll take home multiple finished ceramic pieces that reflect your growth and new skills. All firing is handled by our studio team, and glazed work will be ready for pickup a couple of weeks after the final class. Ceramics is a beautifully unpredictable process - while most pieces make it through the kiln successfully, occasional cracks or surprises are part of the nature of the material.

What to bring:

All clay, tools, and glazes are provided. Feel free to bring any personal tools or materials you enjoy working with. We recommend wearing clothes you don’t mind getting messy or bringing an apron. Water, coffee, and tea are available, and you’re welcome to bring other non-alcoholic beverages.

Class size: Limited to 12 participants

Pricing: Ticket price is per person + HST (14%)

Refunds:

If you can no longer attend, please email pearlpictoucounty@gmail.com. Full refunds are available up to 48 hours prior to the start of the series. Please review our Terms & Conditions before registering.

Weather: We love ceramics - but we love safety more! If the weather is not cooperating, we will postpone our class. We will send out an e-mail to reschedule the class.

Please note:

Pearl does not have access to internet service - we find it encourages focus and creativity. You’re welcome to step outside the studio if you need to access service during class.