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 2026 pottery classes and workshops will open on January 6, 2026.  Offerings will include beginner and intermediate wheel, beginner and intermediate handbuilding, one-time wheel, and more!  Details are posted below.

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

Refunds or changes arising from registration errors or failure to meet prerequisites are subject to a $25 administration fee.



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 2026 POTTERY CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
Registration Opens Online on January 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM
See Below for Class and Workshop Details!

    • January 12, 2026
    • February 23, 2026
    • 7 sessions
    • 2
    MANDATORY PREREQUISITE APPLIES

    Broaden and deepen your hand building skills in a supportive environment. Explore a series of stepwise projects intended to increase your pottery independence.

    Instructor:  Jenny Tucker

    Prerequisites:  Completion of Handbuilding - Beginner at the Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts or previous experience approved by the instructor.  Age 16 or older.  Adult full membership.

    Cost:  $292 (includes clay)

    Registration Opens:  January 6, 2026 at 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  January 9, 2026

    • January 20, 2026
    • March 03, 2026
    • 7 sessions
    • 8

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

    Instructor Melanie Desjardins

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

    Cost:  $292 (includes clay)

    Registration Opens:  January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  January 17, 2026

    • January 21, 2026
    • March 04, 2026
    • 7 sessions
    • 8

    MANDATORY PREREQUISITE APPLIES


    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:  Tori Carmichael

    Prerequisites:  Successful completion of Wheel - Beginner Level 1 at the YK Guild or previous experience approved by the instructor.  Ability 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 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  January 18, 2026

    • February 08, 2026
    • February 15, 2026
    • 2 sessions
    • 8

    MANDATORY PREREQUISITE APPLIES



    This intermediate workshop introduces the skills needed to make wheel-thrown plates and platters.  Short demonstrations combined with hands-on practice will introduce techniques for throwing, trimming and glazing flat pieces.  Forms explored will include spoon rests, small/large plates, and simple platters. 

    InstructorCynthia Levy  

    Prerequisites:  Successful completion of Wheel - Beginner Level 2 at the Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts or previous experience approved by the instructor.  Ability to center at least 5 pounds of clay.  Age 16 or older.  Adult full membership.

    Cost:  $102 (clay not included; must be purchased through Guild website)

    Registration Opens:  January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  February 5, 2026

    • February 22, 2026
    • 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
    • 8

    MANDATORY PREREQUISITE APPLIES


    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.

    InstructorCynthia 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:  $60 (clay not included; must be purchased through Guild website)

    Registration Opens:  January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  February 19, 2026

    • March 09, 2026
    • April 27, 2026
    • 7 sessions
    • 8

    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:  $292 (includes clay)

    Registration Opens:  January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm

    Registration Closes:  March 6, 2026


    Scheduling Note: Class schedule does not include April 6, 2026 (Easter Monday).




    • March 10, 2026
    • April 21, 2026
    • 7 sessions
    • 8

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

    Instructor Georgina Williston

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

    Cost:  $292 (includes clay)

    Registration Opens:  January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  March 7, 2026

    • March 11, 2026
    • April 22, 2026
    • 7 sessions
    • 8

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

    Instructor Wendy Stephenson

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

    Cost:  $292 (includes clay)

    Registration Opens:  January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  March 8, 2026

    • March 17, 2026
    • March 26, 2026
    • 4 sessions
    • 8

    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 on Thursday evenings and/or Sunday afternoons.  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:  $210 (includes clay)

    Registration Opens:  January 6, 2026 at 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  March 14, 2026

    • March 22, 2026
    • March 29, 2026
    • 2 sessions
    • 8

    MANDATORY PREREQUISITE APPLIES



    This intermediate workshop introduces teapots. Short demonstrations combined with hands-on practice will develop throwing techniques while tips will be given for making lids, spouts and handles as well as creative alterations to produce a teapot that's functional and personal.

    Instructor:  Janice Lee

    Prerequisites:  Proficiency in throwing on the wheel.  Successful completion of Wheel - Beginner Level 1 at the Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts or equivalent experience approved by the instructor.  Age 16 or older.  Adult full membership.

    Cost:  $102 (clay not included; must be purchased through Guild website)

    Registration Opens:  January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  March 19, 2026

    • May 04, 2026
    • June 15, 2026
    • 7 sessions
    • 9

    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:  $292 (includes clay)

    Registration Opens:  January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm

    Registration Closes:  May 1, 2026


    Scheduling Note: Class schedule includes May 18, 2026 (Victoria Day).

    • May 05, 2026
    • June 16, 2026
    • 7 sessions
    • 9

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

    Instructor Melanie Desjardins

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

    Cost:  $292 (includes clay)

    Registration Opens:  January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  March 2, 2026

    • May 06, 2026
    • June 17, 2026
    • 7 sessions
    • 9

    MANDATORY PREREQUISITE APPLIES


    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:  Jessica Smart

    Prerequisites:  Successful completion of Wheel - Beginner Level 1 at the YK Guild or previous experience approved by the instructor.  Ability 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 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  May 3, 2026

    • May 09, 2026
    • May 16, 2026
    • 2 sessions
    • 9

    MANDATORY PREREQUISITE APPLIES


    Learn techniques for making consistent and matching wheel-thrown bowls while contributing toward one of the Guild's most popular fundraising events - the annual Canada Day Ice Cream Bowl Sale!

    All bowls produced during these sessions will be donated to the Guild for sale at the Canada Day Ice Cream Bowl Sale or other fundraisers. The sessions are therefore free to participants and the Guild will supply clay.

    Instructor: Cynthia Levy 

    Prerequisites: Scheduled open studio or full studio potter with current full adult membership.  Ability to center and throw a bowl.  Age 16 or older.  Registrations lacking prerequisites will be cancelled automatically.

    Cost: Free with all bowls produced donated to the Guild.  Clay supplied by the Guild.

    Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7 pm

    Registration Closes: May 6, 2026


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

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