14320 NE 21st Street #20, Bellevue, Washington 98007
Fall 2026 Schedule:
BEGINNER TO CONTINUING WHEEL
BEGINNER TO CONTINUING HAND-BUILDING
TUESDAYS, 10:00AM-1:00PM
SEPTEMBER 15-NOVEMBER 17
- Instructor: Pat Colyar
- Level: All Levels
- 10 Weeks: 510 + tax
This class will be a mix of novices and more experienced students. Each class will start with demonstrating basic techniques and talking about clay terminology and procedures, and then move to covering more advanced topics for students who are ready for them. Pat particularly enjoys making functional pots, and will be demonstrating throwing "off the hump", making lids that fit, and pulling and attaching handles, among other things. We will cover basic glazing of our pieces, with more complex decorating for those interested
8/12 remaining
BEGINNER TO CONTINUING HAND-BUILDING
BEGINNER TO CONTINUING HAND-BUILDING
SATURDAYS, 1:00-4:00PM
SEPTEMBER 19-NOVEMBER 21
- Instructor: Vicky Hattori
- Level: All Levels
- 10 Weeks: $510 + tax
Prerequisite: None
Explore the art of hand-building. Whether you’re interested in making functional pieces like mugs and bowls or more sculptural forms, this class offers plenty of room for creativity and personal expression. We’ll cover fundamentals—starting with pinch pots, moving on to coil building, and finishing with slab construction—to build a strong foundation in clay techniques and craftsmanship, and explore various surface decoration methods. We’ll wrap up the process with glazing, where you’ll learn how color and finish can completely transform your work.
4/12 remaining
BEGINNER WHEEL-THROWING
BEGINNER WHEEL-THROWING
THURSDAYS, 6:00-9:00PM
SEPTEMBER 17-NOVEMBER 19
- Instructor: Matt Scroggins
- Level: Beginner
- 10 Weeks: $510 + tax
Prerequisite: None
If you're new to the wheel, or have even taken a wheel test drive, this class is for you. In each class, Matt will begin with a demonstration of centering clay on the wheel, opening, and pulling walls. You'll learn to wedge your clay in order to prepare it for throwing, and how to trim your pieces. You will get hands-on help and individual guidance as you learn and progress. The main objective of this class is learning to throw a tall, even cylinder. For those who are interested, bowls and mug handles will be taught as well. You will also learn basic glazing and how to choose and apply glazes to your pieces.
CONTINUING WHEEL
BEGINNER WHEEL-THROWING
WEDNESDAYS, 6:00-9:00PM
SEPTEMBER 16-NOVEMBER 18
- Instructor: Tim Hoffman
- Level: Bridge
- 10 Weeks: $510 + tax
Prerequisite: Completion of at least one beginner-level wheel-throwing course is required to enroll.
This bridge level course is for students who have taken one or more beginner wheel classes, but are not yet ready for an intermediate-level class. Tim will do demonstrations, focusing on troubleshooting common problems, and then provide personalized guidance to help you grow in your pottery practice. Understanding and applying glaze will also be taught, with discussions about how to highlight textures, how to read the test tiles, and choosing the best glaze or glaze combination for your pieces.
INTERMEDIATE WHEEL
INTERMEDIATE WHEEL
MONDAYS, 6:00-9:00PM
SEPTEMBER 14-NOVEMBER 16
- Instructor: Rupa Palasamudram
- Level: Intermediate
- 10 Weeks: $510 + tax
This course is designed to build on the skills you've mastered in our beginner and bridge classes, helping you develop consistency and confidence in your wheel-throwing abilities. Through weekly demonstrations and personalized guidance, you'll refine your throwing techniques, focusing on centering larger clay pieces and creating bigger/taller forms. You’ll have the opportunity to practice a variety of projects, including bowls, vases, lidded jars and more. Rupa will include an exploration of historical and cultural ceramic objects from around the world, inspiring both your technical proficiency and artistic expression. This class features in-depth glazing demonstrations, ensuring you gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire pottery-making process.
Summer 2026 Schedule:
BUILDING VASES WITH TAR PAPER
BUILDING VASES WITH TAR PAPER
FRIDAYS, 10:00AM-2:00PM
AUGUST 14-28
- Instructor: Rupa Palasamudram
- Level: Intermediate
- 3 Weeks: $240 + tax
This is an Intermediate level hand-building workshop in three sessions. Each class is four hours long. Students will design and make tar paper templates, then roll out slabs and assemble two different vases. Glazing will also be covered
This class will meet for 3 sessions, and students will have studio access through 9/3 to glaze their work.
LAMPMAKING WORKSHOP
BUILDING VASES WITH TAR PAPER
MONDAYS, 6:00-9:00PM
AUGUST 10-31
- Instructor: Rupa Palasamudram
- Level: Intermediate
- 4 Weeks: $240 + tax
This is an Intermediate level throwing workshop in four sessions. Students will throw two different lamp bases, glaze them, and assemble them with lamp kits.
NOTE: do not purchase any lamp kits until after the first class discussion about the right kind of kit.
This class will meet for 4 sessions, and students will have studio access through 9/3 to glaze their work.
INTRO TO CLAY I
ADVENTURES IN SURFACE DESIGN
TUESDAYS, 6:00-9:00PM
JUNE 23 - AUGUST 25
- Instructor: Matt Scroggins
- Level: Beginner
- 10 Weeks: $510 + tax
Prerequisite: None
This 10-week beginner class will give students a foundation for working with clay. The first several sessions of the class will cover hand building techniques including pinching, coiling and slab construction. In the remaining sessions, students will learn to throw on the wheel. Glazing is also covered. This course is a pre-requisite for "Intro to Clay II", which expands upon the same techniques with an increased level of complexity.
Full
ADVENTURES IN SURFACE DESIGN
ADVENTURES IN SURFACE DESIGN
WEDNESDAYS, 10:00AM-1:00PM
JUNE 24 - JULY 29
- Instructor: Vicky Hattori
- Level: Bridge
- 6 Weeks: $350 + tax
Prerequisite: Intro to Clay I or equivalent hand building experience.
Students will learn a variety of methods such as bubble glazing, stamp making, slip and underglaze transfer techniques, cuerda seca, and feather combing. We'll try these out on soft, leather hard, or bisqued slabs. This class won't cover construction of actual pieces but students are encouraged to try out the techniques on their own pots.
The class fee includes a $30 materials fee to cover the cost of supplies provided.
WHEEL COACH FOR CONTINUING STUDENTS
WHEEL COACH FOR CONTINUING STUDENTS
WEDNESDAYS, 6:00-9:00PM
AUGUST 5 - AUGUST 26
- Instructor: Tim Hoffman
- Level: Bridge
- 4 Classes: $240 + tax
Prerequisite: Completion of at least one beginner-level ceramics course is required to enroll.
This throwing class is ideal for continuing students who want to improve their wheel skills. Specific aspects will be taught each week, such as throwing taller and making pots lighter. Students will also receive pointers tailored to their ability and aimed at helping achieve breakthroughs to the next level.
This class will meet for 4 sessions, and students will have studio access through 9/3 to glaze their work.
Full
CREATIVE WHEEL
WHEEL COACH FOR CONTINUING STUDENTS
THURSDAYS, 10:00AM-1:00PM
JULY 16 - AUGUST 27
- Instructor: Heather Fitzgerald
- Level: Intermediate
- 7 Weeks: $365 + tax
Prerequisite: Completion of at least two wheel-throwing courses is required to enroll.
This class is for intermediate students who have taken more than one previous wheel course to practice throwing skills while working on instructor-led projects. Each class will include warm-up drills followed by weekly demonstrations of guided projects, as well as support for refining wheel techniques. We will work on a variety of projects that will build skills and develop creativity. Students will learn to plan projects with consideration for surface treatments and glaze choices to achieve their vision.
Projects will include:
- Planters with attached saucers
- A set of textured plates
- Wind chimes
- A wave bowl
- A joined-piece cocoon sculpture
- A large, decorated plate
Class Level Guide
BEGINNER
Beginner classes are designed for people who have never worked with clay before, or who want a refresher of the basics. Instructors will assume that participants have no clay knowledge.
BRIDGE
Bridge classes are aimed at those who have taken a beginner course, yet don't feel ready to jump into an intermediate or advanced class. Students will strengthen their basic skills and go a little further in their practice with more challenging projects than in the beginner classes.
INTERMEDIATE
Intermediate classes are for experienced practitioners who have a firm grasp of the basics of clay and can keep up in a class that is more fast-paced. Students should expect challenges and the development of specific skills.
ADVANCED
Advanced classes assume students have a high level of proficiency. They are designed to challenge students to reach new levels in their knowledge and abilities.
ALL LEVELS
All Levels classes are designed for all ability levels. They help newer students build skills, as well as challenge more seasoned students to grow in their practice.
SUPPLY LIST FOR MULTI-WEEK CLASSES
Supplies to bring to class
A set of pottery tools:
- a potter's rib
- steel scraper
- wood modeling tool
- needle tool
- ribbon tool
- loop tool
- sponge
- wire clay cutter
- Any other ceramics tools you already own
Tool kits are available for purchase at KCS for $20 + tax. Please arrive early to the first class if you wish to purchase a kit.
A box for storing tools
A towel for wiping your hands
A smock or apron
A notebook or sketch book and pencil/pen