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 Fall 2025 pottery classes and workshops will open on September 2, 2025 at 7:00 pm.  Offerings include beginner and intermediate wheel, beginner and intermediate handbuilding, one-time wheel, one-time handbuilding, 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.


FALL 2025 POTTERY CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
Registration opens September 2, 2025 @ 7:00 pm
See Below for Class and Workshop Details!

    • September 08, 2025
    • October 20, 2025
    • 7 sessions
    • 8

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

    Instructor:  Jessica Smart

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

    Cost:  $292 (includes clay)

    Registration Opens:  September 2, 2025 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  September 5, 2025

    Scheduling Note:  Class schedule includes October 13 (Thanksgiving Monday).


    • September 09, 2025
    • October 21, 2025
    • 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:  Garry Singer

    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:  September 2, 2025 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  September 6, 2025

    Scheduling Note:  Class schedule includes September 30 (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation)

    • September 10, 2025
    • October 22, 2025
    • 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:  Rosie Taylor

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

    Cost:  $292 (includes clay)

    Registration Opens:  September 2, 2025 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  September 7, 2025

    • September 16, 2025
    • September 25, 2025
    • 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:  September 2, 2025 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  September 13, 2025

    • October 14, 2025
    • October 23, 2025
    • 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:  September 2, 2025 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  October 11, 2025

    • October 25, 2025
    • 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
    • 8

    Come in and get a bit muddy!  We will teach you how to make a cup or small vase using hand-building techniques.  Choose from one of three designs and personalize it with your choice of textures or design.  You pick out a glaze colour, and we will glaze it for you. You return to pick it up a few weeks later.

    Instructors:  Jenny Tucker and Melanie Desjardins

    PrerequisitesNothing 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:  September 2, 2025 at 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  October 21, 2025

    • October 27, 2025
    • December 08, 2025
    • 7 sessions
    • 8
    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:  September 2, 2025 at 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  October 24, 2025

    • October 28, 2025
    • December 09, 2025
    • 7 sessions
    • 8

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

    Instructor:  Melanie Desjardins and Alana Kronstal

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

    Cost:  $292 (includes clay)

    Registration Opens:  September 2, 2025 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  October 25, 2025

    Scheduling Note:  Class schedule includes November 11 (Remembrance Day).


    • October 29, 2025
    • December 10, 2025
    • 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:  September 2, 2025 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  October 26, 2025

    • November 30, 2025
    • December 07, 2025
    • 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 1 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:  $90 (clay not included; must be purchased through Guild website)

    Registration Opens:  September 2, 2025 @ 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  November 27, 2025

    • December 12, 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
    • 8

    Looking to try out pottery without the commitment of a full class?

    At One-Time Wheel night, you can try your hand at throwing a bowl on the wheel.  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 weeks, once it has dried and been fired and glazed by our members, it will be available for pick up.

    Instructors:  Jessica Smart and Lauren O'Keefe

    PrerequisitesNothing 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:  September 2, 2025 at 7:00 pm
    Registration Closes:  December 9, 2025


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

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