POTTERY CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS

Pottery, including both handbuilding and throwing on the wheel, has been a core discipline at the Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts for many years.  Beginner, intermediate and advanced pottery classes and workshops are offered during all class sessions and student spots are always in high demand.

All pottery classes and workshops are held in the pottery studio on the first floor of the Guild building at 113 Kam Lake Road, Yellowknife, NT.  


Online registration for Winter 2025 pottery classes and workshops will open online on January 13, 2025 at 7:00 pm.  Offerings will include beginner wheel, intermediate wheel, intermediate handbuilding, one-time wheel, teen pottery, advanced workshops and more!

Refer to the information below for important details including eligible membership levels, registration dates, prerequisites and other requirements for registration.  Unless indicated otherwise in the class/workshop description, classes/workshops are open to adults only.



CLASS/WORKSHOP REGISTRATION

Membership in the Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts is required for participation in all classes and workshops.  To ensure that our programs are as accessible as possible, we offer several different membership levels.  Registration details for each program indicate the level of membership required and any necessary prerequisites.

Classes and workshops offered during fall, winter/spring sessions.  Registration is conducted online and spaces are in high demand.  We recommend that members and prospective students subscribe to our newsletter and check our website regularly to learn about upcoming classes and workshops.

Registration and materials fees for classes and workshops are non-refundable except in very limited circumstances.  Membership fees must be paid in advance of registration and are non-refundable even if a particular class or workshop is unavailable.  Acknowledgement of our refund policy is a condition of registration.  Registrations cannot be transferred between students or between classes or workshops.

Refer to our Info Sheet - Class/Workshop Registration for more information and tips for successful registration.


WINTER 2025 POTTERY CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
Registration Opens Online on January 13, 2025 at 7:00 pm
See Below for Class and Workshop Details!

  • Teen Pottery - Wheel

    • January 25, 2025
    • March 08, 2025
    • 7 sessions
    • 3
    Register

    Experiment with wheel throwing to explore how to get clay to do what you want. Techniques will include how to throw a mug and how to trim and glaze. If you’re a teen 12 to 15 years old who is interested in the art and science of clay, this class is for you!

    Instructors:  Melanie Desjardins and Stacey Lymer

    Prerequisites:  Ages 12 to 15 only.  Child membership.

    Cost:  $290 (includes clay)

    Registration Opens:  January 13, 2025 at 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  January 22, 2025
    Show details

  • Wheel - Chip-and-Dip Platters Workshop

    • February 16, 2025
    • 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
    • 2
    Register

    This intermediate workshop introduces various forms of wheel-thrown chip-and-dip platters. Short demonstrations combined with hands-on practice will develop throwing techniques while tips will be given for trimming and glazing complex flat pieces. Forms explored will include traditional chip-and-dip platters with both integrated and separate fitted bowls as well as creative alterations such as spiral rims and offset bowls.

    Instructor:  Cynthia Levy  

    Prerequisites:  Proficiency in throwing on the wheel.  Successful completion of Wheel - Plates and Platters workshop at the Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts or equivalent experience approved by the instructor.  Age 16 or older.  Adult full membership.

    Cost:  $52 (clay not included; must be purchased through Guild website)

    Registration Opens:  January 13, 2025 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  February 14, 2025
    Show details

  • Wheel - Beginner Intensive/Refresher (Daytime)

    • February 18, 2025
    • February 27, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 2
    Register

    This condensed wheel course is intended for motivated beginners, former potters seeking a reintroduction to throwing, or potters who have taken classes elsewhere but aren’t familiar with the Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts studio.

    Learn or refresh basic skills and become orientated to the Guild so that you can apply for access as an open studio potter in the future.  This afternoon course will cover the basics in a condensed format over 2 weeks.  You will learn the fundamentals of wheel thrown pottery: wedging, centering, throwing simple shapes, trimming, firing and glazing.

    Students should be prepared to participate in scheduled open studio sessions and assignments may be given for completion at open studio between classes.  Open studio sessions offer extra practice at no additional cost during this 2-week intensive course.

    Instructor:  Ann Peters

    Prerequisites:  No prior experience necessary.  Age 16 or older.  Adult full membership.

    Cost:  $208 (includes clay)

    Registration Opens:  January 13, 2025 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  February 15, 2025
    Show details

  • Pottery - DIY Pottery Tools Workshop

    • March 09, 2025
    • 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
    • 7
    Register

    In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn economical ways to make their own specialized pottery tools.  Participants will be provided with instruction, materials and tools to make a variety of useful gadgets. After intro discussion and quick demos, participants will rotate between stations to make 6 different tools. Projects will include cut-off wires, batt grabbers, contour ribs, sponges-on-a-stick, tombo/dragonfly tools, and decorating discs. 

    Instructor:  Cynthia Levy 

    Prerequisites:  Current full studio or scheduled open studio potter.  Age 16 or older.  Adult full membership.

    Cost:  $84 (all materials included)

    Registration Opens:  January 13, 2025 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  February 5, 2025
    Show details

  • Handbuilding - Beginner Level 1

    • March 10, 2025
    • April 28, 2025
    • 7 sessions
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Learn the ABC’s of hand building:  pinch, coil and slab. Improve your techniques and exercise your creativity through a series of step-wise projects.

    Instructor:  Jenny Tucker

    Prerequisites:  No prior experience necessary.  Age 16 or older.  Adult full membership.

    Cost:  $290 (includes clay)

    Registration Opens:  January 13, 2025 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  March 7, 2025
    Show details

  • Wheel - Beginner Level 1

    • March 11, 2025
    • April 22, 2025
    • 7 sessions
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Learn the basics of wheel thrown pottery: wedging, centering, throwing simple shapes, trimming, firing and glazing.

    Instructors:  Georgina Williston

    Prerequisites:  No prior experience necessary.  Age 16 or older.  Adult full membership.

    Cost:  $290 (includes clay)

    Registration Opens:  January 13, 2025 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  March 8, 2025
    Show details

  • Wheel - Intermediate Level 2

    • March 12, 2025
    • April 23, 2025
    • 7 sessions
    • 6
    Register

    This class will teach you how to center larger amounts of clay and will refine skills learned in beginner wheel classes.  It will also introduce students to more advanced skills such as adding handles and lids.

    Instructor: Wendy Stephenson

    Prerequisites:  Completion of Wheel - Beginner Level 1; able to center clay and make basic cylinders on the wheel.  Age 16 or older.  Adult full membership.

    Cost:  $260 (clay not included; clay must be purchased separately through Guild website)

    Registration Opens:  January 13, 2025 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  March 8, 2025
    Show details

  • Wheel - Beginner Intensive/Refresher (Daytime)

    • April 01, 2025
    • April 10, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 8
    Register

    This condensed wheel course is intended for motivated beginners, former potters seeking a reintroduction to throwing, or potters who have taken classes elsewhere but aren’t familiar with the Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts studio.

    Learn or refresh basic skills and become orientated to the Guild so that you can apply for access as an open studio potter in the future.  This afternoon course will cover the basics in a condensed format over 2 weeks.  You will learn the fundamentals of wheel thrown pottery: wedging, centering, throwing simple shapes, trimming, firing and glazing.

    Students should be prepared to participate in scheduled open studio sessions and assignments may be given for completion at open studio between classes.  Open studio sessions offer extra practice at no additional cost during this 2-week intensive course.

    Instructor:  Ann Peters

    Prerequisites:  No prior experience necessary.  Age 16 or older.  Adult full membership.

    Cost:  $208 (includes clay)

    Registration Opens:  January 13, 2025 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  March 29, 2025
    Show details

  • One-Time Handbuilding

    • May 09, 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Looking to try out pottery without the commitment of a full class?  At One-Time Handbuilding night, you can try your hand at clay for handbuilding. Friendly guild members will be available to demo techniques and support you in your efforts to tame the clay and turn it into an object you can actually eat or drink from.

    The goal of the night will be to have fun and create a piece or two to take home. You will be able to choose a glaze for your magnificent creation. In two to three weeks, once it has dried and been fired and glazed by our members, it will be available for pick up.

    Instructors:  Jenny Tucker and Melanie Desjardins

    Prerequisites:  Nothing but a positive attitude!  Age 16 or older.  Adult full or casual membership.

    Cost (Adult Full Member):  $65 (includes clay and completion of pieces by Guild potters)

    Cost (Casual Member):  $75 (includes clay and completion of pieces by Guild potters)

    Registration Opens:  January 13, 2025 at 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  May 6, 2025
    Show details


Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts
113 Kam Lake Road, Yellowknife, NT  X1A 0G3
867-920-4573
yellowknifeguild@gmail.com

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