Ceramics
The Center has ceramics classes for beginners and professionals at both the Downtown and North Phoenix Thunderbird campus. Classes include all the tools needed such as wheels and kilns. Beginners can learn to throw on a wheel or handbuild. Advanced students are welcome to work on their own projects in the Open Studio classes.
Note: Click the “Sign Up” button at the bottom of a class description to register through the Center’s Mindbody registration platform. A Mindbody account is required to register for classes at the Center. Questions about registration or financial aid? Call (602) 254-3100 or email frontdesk@phoenixcenterforthearts.org to speak to a Patron Services Associate to speak to a Patron Services Associate.
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If there isn’t a “Sign Up” button visible, it means that the class and waitlist are currently full.
Beginning Wheel Throwing (Thunderbird)
Date: August 09, 2025 10:00 am - December 13, 2025 1:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 12/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: This class is for those who wish to begin their ceramics education by learning to throw on the potter's wheel. For beginners and those with very little experience. Also for those who have been away from the throwing process for a while and need a refresher course. Please purchase a ceramics tool kit from Marjon's Ceramics Supply prior to class time.
Prerequisites: No experience Required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $365
Making Better Pots
Date: August 11, 2025 6:00 pm - December 08, 2025 9:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 11/12
Description: This class is weighted towards the "throwing" potter although hand builders are welcome. A great evening class to start your week off on the right foot. Instructor will work with students one on one, and with class demonstrations to move you further along your pottery skills path.
Materials: Clay is available for purchase.Please bring cash! Student will also need their own hand tools. Expect to spend at least $50 depending on skill level and projects.
Duration: 15 Weeks
Days Off: 9/1/2025 Labor Day, 10/13/2025 Indigenous Day 11/24/2025, Thanksgiving week off
Prerequisites: Throwing/Clay experience required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $365
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Monday Studio
Date: August 11, 2025 1:00 pm - December 08, 2025 4:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 12/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: Instructor supervised studio class. Students will work on individual projects and must be able to complete those projects in a proper manner on their own.
Materials: Clay is available for purchase.Please bring cash! Student will also need their own hand tools. Expect to spend at least $50 depending on skill level and projects.
Duration: 15 Weeks
Days Off: 09/01/2025 Labor Day, 10/13/2025 Indigenous Day, 11/24/2025 Thanksgiving week off
Prerequisites: Throwing/Clay experience required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $365.00
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Beginning Hand Building
Date: August 11, 2025 5:30 pm - December 08, 2025 8:30 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 6/6
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: Join us in a supportive, low-pressure setting where we will explore beginning Handbuilding. Handbuilding is an ancient pottery-making technique that involves creating forms without a pottery wheel, using the hands, fingers, and simple tools. This class will explore the most common handbuilding techniques: pinch pottery, coil building, and slab building. Please purchase a ceramics tool kit from Marjon's Ceramics Supply prior to class time.
Materials: Please purchase a ceramics tool kit from Marjon's Ceramics Supply prior to class time. Clay is available for purchase.Please bring cash! Student will also need their own hand tools. Expect to spend at least $50 depending on skill level and projects.
Prerequisite: No Experience Required
Duration: 15 Weeks
Days Off: 9/1/2025 Labor Day, 10/13/2025 Indigenous Day, 11/24/2025 Thanksgiving week off
Ages: 18+
Cost: $340.00
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
All In One
Date: August 12, 2025 9:00 am - December 09, 2025 12:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 8/12
Description: Throwing, Hand Building, we try it all in this class. This is not a class for beginners, but we are usually up for trying some different things. Join Don and the Tuesday crowd and we'll see what happens.
Materials: Clay is available for purchase.Please bring cash! Student will also need their own hand tools. Expect to spend at least $50 depending on skill level and projects.
Duration: 16 Weeks
Prerequisites: Throwing/Clay experience required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $365.00
Beginning Throwing
Date: August 12, 2025 5:30 pm - December 09, 2025 8:30 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 5/6
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: This class is for those who wish to begin their ceramics education by learning to throw on the potter's wheel. For beginners and those with very little experience. Also for those who have been away from the throwing process for a while and need a refresher course. Please purchase a ceramics tool kit from Marjon's Ceramics Supply prior to class time.
Materials: Clay is available for purchase.Please bring cash! Student will also need their own hand tools. Expect to spend at least $50 depending on skill level and projects. .
Duration: 16 weeks
Prerequisites: No experience required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $365.00
Tuesday Studio
Date: August 12, 2025 1:00 pm - December 09, 2025 4:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 12/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: Instructor supervised studio class. Students will work on individual projects and must be able to complete those projects in a proper manner on their own. Instructor will not be doing demonstrations. .
Materials: Clay is available for purchase.Please bring cash! Student will also need their own hand tools. Expect to spend at least $50 depending on skill level and projects.
Duration: 16 Weeks
Days Off: 11/11/2025 Veterans Day, 11/25/2025 Thanksgiving week off
Prerequisites: Throwing/Clay experience required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $365.00
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Intermediate Throwing
Date: August 12, 2025 6:00 pm - December 09, 2025 9:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 0/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Materials: Clay is available for purchase. Please bring cash! Student will also need their own hand tools. Expect to spend at least $50 depending on skill level and projects.
Duration: 16 weeks
Ages: 18+
Cost: $365.00
Beginning Throwing
Date: August 13, 2025 5:30 pm - December 10, 2025 8:30 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 6/6
Registration ends 2 days prior to the first class.
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Chelsea Koressel (She/Her)
Description: This class is for those who wish to begin their ceramics education by learning to throw on the potter's wheel. For beginners and those with very little experience. Also for those who have been away from the throwing process for a while and need a refresher course. Please purchase a ceramics tool kit from Marjon's Ceramics Supply prior to class time.
Materials: Clay is available for purchase.Please bring cash! Student will also need their own hand tools. Expect to spend at least $50 depending on skill level and projects.
Duration: 17 weeks
Prerequisites: No Experience Required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $365
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Wednesday Handbuilding
Date: August 13, 2025 9:00 am - December 10, 2025 12:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 6/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: This is your class if you want to play with clay but not on the wheel. We will work on class projects and take the time to help with any individual ideas students may have. Handbuilding experience is required. Very popular class. Fills quickly.
Materials: Clay is available for purchase.Please bring cash! Student will also need their own hand tools. Expect to spend at least $50 depending on skill level and projects.
Duration: 17 weeks
Prerequisites: Throwing/Clay experience required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $365.00
Wednesday Studio
Date: August 13, 2025 1:00 pm - December 10, 2025 4:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 5/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Materials: Clay is available for purchase. Please bring cash! Student will also need their own hand tools. Expect to spend at least $50 depending on skill level and projects.
Duration: 17 weeks
Days Off: 11/26/2025 Thanksgiving week off
Prerequisites: Throwing/Clay experience required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $365.00
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Unique Thrown Ceramics
Date: August 13, 2025 6:00 pm - December 10, 2025 9:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 9/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: Join instructor Anne Rasmussen in her long running evening clay class and learn her unique style of producing and decorating her thrown work. This class is for intermediate students, and anyone else looking to take the next step along the clay path.
Materials: Clay is available for purchase. Please bring cash! Student will also need their own hand tools. Expect to spend at least $50 depending on skill level and projects.
Duration: 17 Weeks
Days off: 11/26/2025 Thanksgiving week off
Prerequisites: Throwing/Clay experience required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $365
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Beginning Throwing
Date: August 14, 2025 6:00 pm - December 11, 2025 9:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 9/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Char Applen (She/Her)
Description: This class is for those who wish to begin their ceramics education by learning to throw on the potter's wheel. For beginners and those with very little experience. Also for those who have been away from the throwing process for a while and need a refresher course. Please purchase a ceramics tool kit from Marjon's Ceramics Supply prior to class time..
Materials: Clay is available for purchase.Please bring cash! Student will also need their own hand tools. Expect to spend at least $50 depending on skill level and projects.
Duration: 17 weeks
Prerequisites: No experience required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $365
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Beginning + Intermediate Handbuilding
Date: August 14, 2025 1:00 pm - December 11, 2025 4:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 7/12
Description: This class is for those who wish to begin their ceramics education by learning various hand building methods for making vessels. For beginners andIntermediate continuing students. Please purchase a ceramics tool kit from Marjons Ceramics Supply prior to class time. Clay is available for purchase at class.
Materials: Clay is available for purchase.Please bring cash! Student will also need their own hand tools. Expect to spend at least $50 depending on skill level and projects.
Duration: 17 weeks
Days off: 11/27/2025 Thanksgiving week off
Prerequisites: No Experience Required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $365
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Saturday Clay
Date: August 16, 2025 9:00 am - December 13, 2025 12:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 1/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Materials: Clay is available for purchase.Please bring cash! Student will also need their own hand tools. Expect to spend at least $50 depending on skill level and projects. .
Duration: 17 weeks
No Class: 11/29/2025 Thanksgiving week off
Prerequisites: Throwing/Clay experience required
Ages: 18+
Cost: $365
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Ceråmica para Principiantes
Date: August 16, 2025 1:00 pm - December 13, 2025 4:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 12/12
Description: Esta es una clase introductoria para personas que quieren aprender como hacer cerámica usando barro. Vamos a empezar construyendo ollas a mano usando métodos tradicionales. Seguiremos aprendiendo a usar el torno y formar vasijas. La clase incluye la técnica de como aplicar esmaltes para convertir nuestra obras en objetos útiles y decorativos. La más importante de esta clase será que aprendemos y nos divertiremos!
Materials: Clay is available for purchase.Please bring cash! Student will also need their own hand tools. Expect to spend at least $50 depending on skill level and projects.
Prerequisite: No Se Require Experiencia
Duration: 17 weeks
Days Off: 11/29/2025 Thanksgiving week off
Ages: 18+
Cost: $365.00
Beginning Throwing / Comenzando a construir a mano
Date: August 16, 2025 10:00 am - December 13, 2025 1:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 6/6
Los estudiantes o tutores deberán traer identificación a la primera clase.
Descripción: This class is for those who wish to begin their ceramics education by learning to throw on the potter's wheel. For beginners and those with very little experience. Also for those who have been away from the throwing process for a while and need a refresher course. Please purchase a ceramics tool kit from Marjon'sCeramics Supply prior to class time.
Esta clase es para aquellos que desean comenzar su educación en cerámica aprendiendo a tirar el torno de alfarero. Esta clase es para principiantes y aquellos con muy poca experiencia. También para aquellos que llevan un tiempo alejados del proceso y necesitan un curso de actualización. Aprenderán a usar los glaseados para terminar sus piezas. Compre un juego de herramientas de cerámica de Marjon's Ceramics Supply antes de la hora de clase.
Materiales: Clay is available for purchase.Please bring cash! Student will also need their own hand tools. Expect to spend at least $50 depending on skill level and projects.
Clay está disponible para su compra. ¡Traiga dinero en efectivo! El estudiante también necesitará sus propias herramientas manuales. Espere gastar al menos $50 dependiendo del nivel de habilidad y los proyectos.
Duración: 17 semanas
NO CLASE: 11/29/2025 Thanksgiving week off
Requisito Previo: No Experience Required / No Se Require Experiencia
Ages: 18+
Precio: $340.00
Por favor, llega 15 minutos antes de que comience tu clase.
Please arrive 15 minutes before your class begins.
Intro to Ceramics
Date: August 17, 2025 10:00 am - December 14, 2025 1:00 pm
Location: Phoenix Center For The Arts
Available Slots: 4/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: This class is for those with no clay experience who would like to learn some of the possibilities inherent in the ceramics arena. Handbuilding techniques as well as "throwing" on the potters wheel will be covered. A great opportunity to explore your clay options and discover your areas of interest as instructors help you navigate your way through an entertaining maze of ceramic projects.
Materials: Clay is available for purchase.Please bring cash! Student will also need their own hand tools. Expect to spend at least $50 depending on skill level and projects. .
Prerequisite: No experience required
Duration: 17 weeks
Weeks Off: 11/30/2025 Thanksgiving week off
Ages: 18+
Cost: $365
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Ceramics
Date: September 02, 2025 1:00 pm - December 16, 2025 4:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 7/10
Description: "Let’s get dirty together. Join me Tuesday afternoons where I will help you learn the basics, centering and pulling a cylinder, or improving your skill level. Everyone has different strengths I will help you hone in on your individual throwing style."
Materials: Clay is available for purchase. Please bring cash! Student will also need their own hand tools. Expect to spend at least $50 depending on skill level and projects.
Prerequisite: No experience required
Duration: 16 weeks
Ages: 18+
Cost: $365.00
Beyond Basic Wheel Throwing (Thunderbird)
Date: September 02, 2025 6:00 pm - December 16, 2025 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 2/10
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: Designed for Intermediate and Advanced level students who wish to improve their pottery wheel throwing skills beyond basic pottery forms. Emphasis will be on exploring the more complex throwing principles of developing a wider range of pot shapes such as the lidded vessel, plate, bottle forms through structured group assignments, instructor lead demonstrations and tailored supervision.
Materials: Please bring your own pottery hand tools, an apron and hand towel. Depending on project of choice, students should expect to spend a minimum of $50 for materials. Clay is available for purchase in class at $30 per 25lb. bag. Please bring cash!
Duration: 16 weeks
Prerequisites: Must be able to throw a centered cylinder on the potter’s wheel.
Ages: 16+
Cost: $395
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Better Pots - Better Wheel Throwing (Thunderbird)
Date: September 03, 2025 6:00 pm - December 17, 2025 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 4/10
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Jon Higuchi
Description: Designed for Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced level students who wish to improve their pottery wheel throwing and glazing skills. Emphasis will be on analyzing /correcting poor wheel throwing habits that prevent you from advancing to the next level. Learn more complex throwing principles in developing a wider range of pot shapes and glazing techniques through instructor lead demonstrations and tailored supervision.
Materials: Please bring your own pottery hand tools, an apron and hand towel. Depending on project of choice, students should expect to spend a minimum of $50 for materials. Clay is available for purchase in class at $25 per 25lb. bag. Please bring cash!
Duration: 15 weeks
Prerequisites: Wheel throwing experience and must be able to throw a centered cylinder on the potter’s wheel.
Ages: 16+
Price: $395
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Open Clay Studio - Handbuilding (Thunderbird)
Date: September 03, 2025 6:00 pm - December 17, 2025 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 6/10
Description: All levels of Hand Builders welcome! Students can work independently with limited hands-on help from the instructor as needed.
Materials: Please bring your own pottery hand tools, an apron and hand towel. Depending on project of choice, students should expect to spend a minimum of $50 for materials. Clay is available for purchase in class at $30 per 25lb. bag. Please bring cash!
Prerequisite: Previous clay experience and be able to work independently.
Duration: 6 Weeks
Ages: 16+
Cost: $395.00
Wednesday Daytime Clay (Thunderbird)
Date: September 03, 2025 1:00 pm - December 17, 2025 4:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 8/10
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Jon Higuchi
Description: Designed for both experienced wheel throwers and hand builders. Emphasis will be on a casual hands-on approach with the instructor, who will work with you one on one as needed to help move you further along in your pottery skills path. Engaging class demonstrations and discussion are also included. Students also have the option to work independently.
Materials: Please bring your own pottery hand tools, an apron and hand towel. Depending on project of choice, students should expect to spend a minimum of $50 for materials. Clay is available for purchase in class at $30 per 25lb. bag. Please bring cash!
Duration: 16 weeks
Prerequisites: Previous wheel and/or hand building experience required.
Ages: 16+
Cost: $395.00
Arrival Time: Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of class to check-in.
Beginning Wheel Throwing (Thunderbird)
Date: September 04, 2025 6:00 pm - December 18, 2025 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 2/10
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Ages: 16+
Cost: $395