To register for a class, visit our signup page:
Introduction to Clay
This class covers the fundamentals of pottery hand-building techniques and is great for people with little or no background in clay and pottery making. Students will learn about the properties of clay, clay preparation, the firing process, and glazing. Techniques taught will include pinch pots, coil construction, and slab construction. The course fee will include 8 pounds of clay, with additional clay available for purchase. Basic pottery tools will be available for use in the studio. Students may wish to bring a small hand towel for personal use, as well as an apron. The course will consist of three 2-hour classes meeting on consecutive weeks. The cost is $200.00 per student
Slab-building workshop
This course is designed for those who have completed the Introduction to Clay course, or equivalent, who want to go further with hand-building. The course will focus on creating functional and decorative pieces using slab construction techniques. Students will create works the first week, and glaze them the second. The course fee will include 5 pounds of clay, with additional clay available for purchase. Basic pottery tools will be available for use in the studio. Students should bring a small hand towel for personal use, and may wish to bring an apron. The course will consist of two 2-hour classes meeting on consecutive weeks. The cost is $100.00 per student
Coil-building workshop
This course is designed for those who have completed the Introduction to Clay course, or equivalent, who want to go further with hand-building. The course will focus on creating functional and decorative pieces using coil construction techniques. Students will create works the first week, and glaze them the second. The course fee will include 5 pounds of clay, with additional clay available for purchase. Basic pottery tools will be available for use in the studio. Students should bring a small hand towel for personal use, and may wish to bring an apron. The course will consist of two 2-hour classes meeting on consecutive weeks. The cost is $100.00 per student
Introduction to Wheel
Designed for those who are just starting out with the potter’s wheel, the class will cover the fundamentals of wheel throwing. Students will learn how to wedge clay, center clay on the wheel, and how to throw the fundamental shapes needed to produce pottery on the wheel. The course fee will include 20 pounds of clay, with additional clay available for purchase. Students will need to have their own set of basic clay tools, which will be available for purchase if needed. Students should bring a small hand towel for personal use, and may wish to bring an apron. The course will consist of five 2-hour classes meeting on consecutive weeks. Each class is limited to a maximum of 5 students. The cost is $300 per student.
Intermediate Wheel
This course is designed for those students who have a basic understanding of wheel throwing, and who want to further refine their skills. The course fee will include 20 pounds of clay, with additional clay available for purchase. Students will need to have basic clay tools, which will be available for purchase if needed. Students should bring a small hand towel for personal use, and may wish to bring an apron. Students must have completed the Introduction to Wheel course, or equivalent. The course will consist of five 2-hour classes meeting on consecutive weeks. Each class is limited to a maximum of 5 students. The cost is $300 per student.
Throwing Tune-Up
This workshop is designed for the potter who has some experience with wheel throwing, but is struggling with some particular aspects of throwing. It features one-on-one focused instruction to help students work through whatever pottery challenges they may have encountered. Scheduling will be by arrangement with the instructor. The cost is $45 per hour.
To register for a class, visit our signup page:
About the Instructor
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Jeff Ross
Jeff is the co-owner and chief pottery instructor of Piedmont Pottery. He first began studying pottery in the mid 1970s with Dan Hammett at the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas. There he studied clay and glaze formulation, as well as basic and intermediate pottery techniques. In the intervening years, he has continued his interest and involvement in pottery, taking classes at Central Carolina Community College in Sanford and Siler City, NC, as well as a variety of specialty pottery workshops. While he has a strong interest in wheel work, Jeff also produces hand-built forms. Much of his work is influenced by the pottery of ancient cultures and forms from nature, as well as the folk pottery traditions of central North Carolina.
