Ceramics
Clay is a material rich in history and possibilities for art making. The Crucible offers a unique place to learn the different ceramic and pottery building techniques, including pinching, coiling, using slabs, wheel throwing, using press molds, and slip casting. Students have the opportunity to explore mid-fire glazing techniques as well as raku firing. The possibilities in ceramics are endless!
Adult Classes
The Crucible offers a wide variety of adult ceramics classes. Whether you want to learn the fundamentals of sculpting or how to create wheel-thrown pots, The Crucible has you covered. See the complete list of pottery and ceramics classes offered below.
If you’d like to be notified when a class is running next, submit your contact info via the Notify Me button and we’ll get in touch!
3-Hour Taster: Ceramic Mug
3-Hour Tasters are a great way to explore a new art form without the deeper commitment of a full course. Make a one-of-a-kind ceramic mug to enjoy your favorite warm beverage. Learn a variety of hand-building techniques in a single session during this fun, project-based class. Mugs are food-grade safe and great for yourself or as a gift.
3-Hour Taster: Ceramic Planter
3-Hour Tasters are a great way to explore a new art form without the deeper commitment of a full course. Create your own ceramic planter and cement yourself as a true green thumb! Learn various hand-building and color application techniques in a single session during this fun, project-based class.
3-Hour Taster: Wheel Throwing
3-Hour Tasters are a great way to explore a new art form without the deeper commitment of a full course. Want to give it a go on the wheel? Come put your hands to spinning clay and try throwing. At the end of your experience you’ll pick your favorite small vessel to be fired for pick up later.
Ceramic Bowls
Make your own super bowls using clay! In this class we explore four different ways of handbuilding your own beautiful bowls. Students will make a vessel out of each technique including pinch pot, coil building, and slab rolling with molds. After your pots are assembled we will decorate using underglazes for a colorful finish. After class has ended the instructor will fire and finish your bowls with a clear food safe glaze.
Ceramic Ornament
Glaze your own ornaments to give to your loved ones! You will select three pre-fired ornaments to paint and glaze, learning about glazing techniques and color application. After class, the instructor will fire your ornaments and string them up, so they are ready for pickup one week after class ends.
Ceramics I
Try your hand at making sculptural and functional forms in clay. This introductory class covers traditional hand-building and surface treatment techniques while pushing the boundaries with unconventional methods. You will leave with a solid foundation in working with clay and the ability to apply your new skill set to other 3-D work and materials.
Ceramics II
Ceramics II is designed for students who have successfully completed Ceramics I and are looking to further advance their knowledge and creativity in working with clay. Students will learn advanced concepts in surface design and refine techniques, both in hand-building and wheel-throwing, to create more consistent, aesthetically-pleasing functional and sculptural pieces. Interesting forms, creative designs, and good craftsmanship are essential in creating engaging pottery and will be emphasized in the class.
PREREQUISITE: Ceramics I
Ceramics Lab
Lab sessions are a great benefit, exclusively for Crucible members! Practice the skills you learn in class and explore new possibilities with your craft. No instruction is provided during lab sessions, but a lab monitor will be present to answer questions, manage safety, and provide overall support. You can sign up for an eight-week series of Ceramics Lab or drop in when you have time. You are free to come and go at your convenience during open lab hours, however you must provide your own materials. Clay can be purchased for $15 per bag.
PREREQUISITE: ceramics experience and a Crucible membership
Hand Build and Raku Fire
Learn basic handbuilding techniques and play with a variety of raku decorating techniques. Raku firings, where ceramic pieces are taken out of the kiln glowing hot and placed in an oxygen-reduced atmosphere, are one of the ways to get vibrant, sparkling colors in glazeware.
Horsehair and Sugar Raku
In this class students will hand build forms to be fired for horsehair and/or sugar raku! The second week students will refine, smooth, and dry their pots before applying terra sigillata slip to burnish before firing. After firing, students will meet the final week to load their pots into the raku kiln. Once fired, they will spread horsehair or sprinkle sugar at hot temperatures for a one of a kind effect!
Large Ceramic Forms
Explore techniques for making larger ceramic forms that can survive the kiln! Make a ceramic sculpture or planter, while practicing handbuilding techniques like coiling and pinching, as well as more advanced sculpting techniques to create a one-of-a-kind piece that will dazzle any home. Size limited to 24″ x 18″ x 1″.
PREREQUISITE: Ceramics I or ceramics experience
Making Plaster Molds for Slip Casting
Create ceramic multiples! Whether you are interested in making multiple vessels or sculptures, this class covers the basic moldmaking techniques. We will make molds from existing objects and cast clay multiples using clay slip. The clay castings will then be finished, kiln-fired, and glazed. Your personal objects are welcome and should be brought to the first class, and objects can be no larger than 5″ x 5″ x 5″.
Raku Fire Bisque Pots
Have an unglazed fired pot leftover from a pottery class? Transform it into a beautiful completed piece through the magical process of raku! In this class students will bring an already fired piece to be glazed, place in our custom kiln and experience the raku process.
Slip Casting with Plaster Molds
Learn the process of slip casting ceramics utilizing plaster molds. Cast multiple objects using clay slip, then kiln-fire and glaze your creations. Develop your slip casting skills using a variety of plaster molds in this introductory class.
Teapot and Cups
Create your very own teapot and set of tea cups! Learn the techniques for making a slab built teapot and a pair of hand built tea cups perfect for a spot of tea. On the first day, create your set for bisque firing, then return for sanding and glazing your elegant handmade pieces. Tea sets are food-grade safe.
Throwing in Sections
In this intermediate to advanced class we will explore throwing large forms in parts on the wheel using measurements and heat to assemble a large pot! Students will then return the following week to sand and decorate their bisque fired pots with stains and underglaze, then glaze using the pouring technique.
Wheel Throwing I
Learn how to throw clay on a potter’s wheel! Students will learn the fundamentals of throwing, including wedging clay, centering, opening, pulling, and shaping a cylinder, bowl, and cup. Learn how to use hand tools to trim and add texture to your pieces, in addition to glaze applications and finishing techniques.
Wheel Throwing II
Take your wheel throwing skills to the next level! In this course, you will continue to refine your throwing techniques and be challenged to throw larger more complex forms, including vases and plates. Students will continue to explore surface decoration, glazing, and how to combine hand building and wheel throwing.
Youth Classes
In the Ceramics Department, we offer youth classes specifically for ages 8-11 and 12-18. In these classes, The Crucible provides a unique setting for youth to get hands-on with clay, exploring their creative voices and absorbing real-life lessons in science, technology, engineering, and math. You can see all The Crucible’s offerings for youth here.
Youth Ceramics I (ages 12-18)
Try your hand at making sculptural and functional forms in clay and create a one-of-a-kind ceramic sculpture. This class is for those with some ceramic experience looking to hone their skills in hand building or wheelthrowing per instructor approval.
Youth Ceramics II (ages 12-18)
Youth Ceramics II is designed for students who have successfully completed Youth Ceramics I and are looking to further advance their knowledge and creativity in working with clay. Students will learn advanced concepts in surface design and refine techniques, in hand-building, to create more consistent, aesthetically-pleasing functional and sculptural pieces. Interesting forms, creative designs, and good craftsmanship are essential in creating engaging pottery and will be emphasized in the class.
PREREQUISITE: Youth Ceramics I
Youth Clay Critters (ages 8-11)
Explore clay as a sculptural material to create critters of your own imagination! Learn hand-building techniques, such as slabs, coils, and pinching. We will cover several different surface treatments, traditional glazes, and non-traditional approaches.
Youth Wheel Throwing (ages 14-18)
Learn how to throw clay on a potter’s wheel! Students will learn the fundamentals of throwing, including wedging clay, centering, opening, pulling, and shaping a cylinder, bowl, and/or cup. Learn how to use hand tools to trim and add texture to your pieces, in addition to glaze applications and finishing techniques.
Meet Your Ceramics Department Heads
Meet The Ceramics Department Co-Head: Rosa Dorantes
For the past twenty years, Rosa Dorantes has been dedicated to sharing her knowledge of ceramics. An Oakland-native, Rosa has transformed our Ceramics Department into a sanctuary that keeps students coming back. Since she has taken over as Department Head, multiple students have taken Ceramics I with Rosa three times in a row.
“I was born in Oakland, and Oakland is where I first fell in love with ceramics when I was 14,” Rosa told us. “For me, coming to The Crucible is my journey really coming full circle. Now, I get to share my passion for ceramics with my community, while being immersed in the greater arts community at The Crucible.”
Meet The Ceramics Department Co-Head: Lizette Sanchez
After 13 years of committed dedication to the success of a local family pizza joint in Berkeley, Lizette found The Crucible. With nearly two decades in customer service and exposure to the restaurant industry, she managed to always sprinkle in volunteer work with children. She is very patient and with strong attention to detail, and problem-solving. She always found great joy in creating with her hands; from a delectable dish or layout or her ever-expanding succulent garden to beading on a loom, Painting on glass, or building a gate. Lizette also curates window displays at a local toy store.
Being Prepared For Your Ceramics Class
Ceramics classes are usually held on the second floor of The Crucible studios up a set of stairs. Sometimes we hold them in other areas, including our outdoor parking lot and spaces on the main floor. Please contact us if you have any questions about accessibility and we will be happy to accommodate.
Students must arrive for class in all-natural fiber clothing, long pants, and closed-toe, closed-heel shoes with socks that protect up to the ankle. Long hair must be tied back. Nylon, polyester, spandex, or other synthetics are not allowed around machines, equipment, or processes that can produce hot fragments, sparks, or flames.
In Ceramics, students will likely only being around flames on firing days, but The Crucible requests students always arrive in studio safe clothing when working. Layers are encouraged as the studio can be very cold or very hot. Learn more about ceramics from our online guide.
