UPCOMING CLASSEs, WORKSHOPS, and events
All classes take place at our Petaluma, CA studio and you will receive an email with details approx. 1 week prior to your class!
CANCELLATION POLICY
If you sign up and then are unable to attend for any reason there are no available refunds unless we can fill your spot with someone on the waitlist, so the sooner you can let us know the better. If we have to fill your spot with someone from the waitlist there is a $10-$25 (depending on the class) processing fee to account for our time as well as web fees we can’t recoup. For certain classes you are welcome to send someone in your stead if you cannot make it, just let us know prior to class so we can update our rosters. Please note a minimum of 4 people is required for most classes to run. If you’ve enrolled and we don’t reach the minimum you will be issued a full refund. If you have questions about our cancellation policy please email us before signing up.
DATE NIGHT AT PETALUMA POTTERY
Ages: 18+up
Instructors: Kelly Brothers | Forrest Middelton | Lara Birchler | Lily Hourigan | Heather Fordham
Cost: $110 - Covers TWO People
Skill Level: All levels, great for beginners.
UPCOMING DATES: November 29 & December 5, 8, 9, 17, 18, 20 from 6:00-8:00pm
Clay is more fun in pairs! Want to learn the basics of making pottery on the wheel with your best friend, a date, your mom? Join us at Petaluma Pottery for a night of wheel throwing and fun. Sign up fees include clay, use of tools, glaze, and firing of 1-2 pieces. Arrive ready to get dirty wearing clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting clay on. Bring your own apron.
What to Expect
Our instructor will give a demo and then help you create your own pot on the wheel. Let yourself be a beginner or dust off those old skills, all skill levels are welcome. We can’t guarantee a masterpiece on your first try but rest assured you’ll have fun with a friend whether you end up with an ash tray or the holy grail. After your class your work will be glazed, fired, and ready for pick up within 2-4 weeks.
one AFTERNOON / ONE night on the wheel
Instructors: Kelly Brothers | Forrest Middelton | Lara Birchler | Heather Fordham | Lily Hourigan
Cost: $54
Skill Level: All levels, great for beginners.
Ages: 12+up
UPCOMING DATES: December 21 and 28 from 12:00pm-2:00pm
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Want to learn the basics of making pottery on the wheel but not ready to commit to a multi-week class? Sign up on your own or with a friend and join us at Petaluma Pottery for a night of fun and wheel throwing. Sign up fees include clay, use of tools, glaze, and firing of 2 pieces. Arrive ready to get dirty wearing clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting clay on. Bring your own apron.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Our instructor will give a demo and then help you create your own pot on the wheel. Let yourself be a beginner or dust off those old skills, all skill levels are welcome. We can’t guarantee a masterpiece on your first try but rest assured you’ll have fun whether you end up with an ash tray or the holy grail. After your class your work will be glazed, fired, and ready for pick up on average between 2-3 weeks.
ONE NIGHT OF HANDBUILDING
Ages: 12+ up
Instructor: Stephanie LeBaudour
Cost: $54
Skill Level: All levels, great for beginners.
Date: December 15 from 6:00-8:00pm
Want to learn the basics of handbuilding pottery? Join us at Petaluma Pottery for a night of light hearted handbuilding projects. In this one night class you will make one small trinket dish using pinching techniques and one mug using slab building techniques. Sign up fees include clay, tools for your use, glaze, and firing of 1 mug and 1 trinket dish. If you make more than 2 pieces you will pick your favorite 2 only for firing. Arrive ready to get dirty wearing clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting clay on. Bring your own apron.
What to Expect
Our instructor will give a demo and then help you create your own projects. Let yourself be a beginner or dust off those old skills, all skill levels are welcome. After your class your work will be glazed (using the glaze you choose at the end of class), fired, and ready for pick up within a few weeks.
holiday cocoa mugs
Ages: 12+up
Instructor: Kelly Brothers
When: Saturday, November 29 from 3:00pm-5:00pm. & Tuesday, December 23 from 10:00am-12:00pm
Cost: $54
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Join us at our community studio for an afternoon of making your own slab built mugs. Students will learn slab building techniques to construct their mugs and stamping and decorating techniques to make their mugs unique. Your instructor will also talk about attachments and how to make your mug’s handle fuctional and in tandem with your mugs! Sign up fee includes enough clay to make two mugs, use of tools, instruction, glaze, and firing of up to 2 pieces. Arrive ready to get dirty wearing clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting clay on or bring your own apron.
What to Expect
Your instructor will give a demo and then help you create your own mugs. Let yourself be a beginner or dust off those old skills, all skill levels are welcome. After your class your work will be glazed, fired, and ready for pick up within a few weeks using the glazes you choose during your class. Ages 10-12 should plan to sign up for class with an adult.
HOLIDAY luminaries
Ages: 10+up
Instructor: Stephanie LeBaudour
When: Tuesday, December 9 from 10:00am-12:00pm
Cost: $53
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Join us at our community studio for an afternoon of making your own handbuilt holiday luminaries. Students will learn slab building and piercing techniques as the primary construction method for making their own luminaries along with demonstrations about stamping and decorating. Sign up fee includes enough clay to make two luminaries, use of tools, instruction, glaze, and firing of up to 2 pieces. Arrive ready to get dirty wearing clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting clay on or bring your own apron.
What to Expect
Your instructor will give a demo and then help you create your own luminaries. Let yourself be a beginner or dust off those old skills, all skill levels are welcome. After your class your work will be glazed, fired, and ready for pick up within a few weeks using the glazes you choose during your class. Ages 10-12 should plan to sign up for class with an adult.
Our 8 week classes offer a deeper dive into wheel throwing, handbuilding, or surface design.
Each class meets for 3 hours at a time, 1 day each week and all classes also come with open studio hours to practice what you are learning outside of class time.
Enrollment for our next 8 week session is December 20 at 10:00am
Wheel throwing level 1 : 8 Week class
When: Monday mornings from 9:30am-12:30pm. 8 Weeks beginning January 5 and ending February 23.
Instructor: Kelly Brothers
Ages: 18+up
Cost: $310
Skill Level: All levels, great for beginners. Many students will take Level 1 multiple times to continue making and build up their skill level before taking level 2.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Learn the skills necessary to make handmade, functional ceramics. In this beginner level class (great for first timers or those who haven’t thrown in years) students learn step by step how to throw successfully from start to finish primarily focusing on smaller cups, mugs, bowls, and plates. Each class will begin with an in depth wheel demonstration highlighting various pitfalls, solutions, and proper body mechanics. As students practice, they will receive one-on-one guidance and correction at the wheel. We will learn methods for centering, trimming, techniques for handles, and basic surface and glazing techniques. Your instructor will work with each individual to progress their skills based on their skill level. This class is hands on. Come prepared to get dirty and make work!
LOGISTICS
Class fee includes 20 lbs of our in-house clay and firing. You can purchase additional clay if you end up wanting more. You will need a basic tool kit which you can either purchase from our online store or on the first day of class. You are also welcome to bring your own tools! Your class comes with 8 hours of open studio time to come in and practice what you are learning in class. More details about open studio times and logistics during the first week of class.
Handbuilding level 1 : 8 week class
When: Monday evenings from 6:00pm-9:00pm. 8 Weeks beginning January 5 and ending February 23.
Ages: 18+up
Instructor: Stephanie LeBaudour
Cost: $310
Skill Level: All levels, great for beginners. Many students will take Level 1 multiple times to continue making and build up their skill level before taking level 2.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
In this class you will learn a wide array of hand building techniques that can be used for both functional or sculptural applications depending on your interests! Your instructor will demonstrate pinching, slab building with both hard and soft slabs, and coil building. Students will also learn stamping, decorating, and glazing techniques. Every class will begin with a hand-building or surface demonstration. This class is hands on! Come prepared to get dirty and make work.
LOGISTICS
Class fee includes 20 lbs of our in-house clay and firing. You can purchase additional clay if you end up wanting more. You will need a basic tool kit which you can either purchase from our online store or on the first day of class. You are also welcome to bring your own tools! Your class comes with 8 hours of open studio time to come in and practice what you are learning in class. More details about open studio times and logistics during the first week of class.
SculpturAL HANDBUILDING : ALL LEVELS : 8 Week class
When: Tuesday mornings from 9:30am-12:30pm. 8 Weeks beginning January 6 and ending February 24.
Ages: 18+up
Cost: $310
Instructor: Stephanie LeBaudour
Skill Level: All levels, great for beginners and intermediate students.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Join sculptor Stephanie LeBaudour at our community studio to learn the basics of sculpting using a variety of techniques. Over the course of 8 weeks you will work with solid construction and coil joining techniques. Learn how to plan your pieces and make maquettes using 2 dimensional reference material and then how to make those plans a reality in 3D. Stephanie will talk about structure, attachments, hollowing, and more. Using the techniques you learn in class you will be able to sculpt the subject matter of your choice whether that is realistic or abstract. Students will also learn basic glazing and surface techniques for finishing their pieces.
LOGISTICS
Class fee includes 20 lbs of our in-house clay and firing. You can purchase additional clay if you end up wanting more. Bring your own tools or buy a kit from our shop prior to class! Your class comes with 8 hours of open studio time. More details about open studio times and logistics during the first week of class.
Wheel Throwing Level 1 : 8 WEEK CLASS
When: Tuesday evenings from 6:00pm-9:00pm. 8 Weeks beginning January 6 and ending February 24.
Instructor: Joe Farnham
Ages: 18+up
Cost: $310
Skill Level: Beginner Level. Many students will take Level 1 multiple times to continue throwing and build up their skill level before taking Level 2.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Learn the skills necessary to make handmade, functional ceramics or build on your past wheel throwing knowledge. In this class students learn step by step how to throw successfully from start to finish. Each class will begin with an in depth wheel demonstration highlighting various pitfalls, solutions, and proper body mechanics. As students practice, they will receive one-on-one guidance and correction at the wheel. We will discuss methods for trimming, techniques for handles, and of course glazing! This class is for all levels and Joe will work with each individual to progress their skills based on their experience and current skill level. This class is hands on. Come prepared to get dirty and make work!
LOGISTICS
Class fee includes 20 lbs of our in-house clay and firing. You can purchase additional clay if you end up wanting more. You will need a basic tool kit which you can either purchase from our online store or on the first day of class. You are also welcome to bring your own tools! Your class comes with 8 hours of open studio time to come in and practice what you are learning in class. More details about open studio times and logistics during the first week of class.
Wheel throwing Level 1 : 8 Week class
When: Wednesday evenings from 6:00pm-9:00pm. 8 Weeks beginning January 7 and ending February 25.
Instructor: Heather Fordham
Ages: 18+up
Cost: $310
Skill Level: Beginner Level. Many students will take Level 1 multiple times to continue throwing and build up their skill level before taking level 2.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Learn the skills necessary to make handmade, functional ceramics or build on your past wheel throwing knowledge. In this class students learn step by step how to throw successfully from start to finish. Each class will begin with an in depth wheel demonstration highlighting various pitfalls, solutions, and proper body mechanics. As students practice, they will receive one-on-one guidance and correction at the wheel. We will discuss methods for trimming, techniques for handles, and of course glazing! This class is for all levels and Heather will work with each individual to progress their skills based on their experience and current skill level. This class is hands on. Come prepared to get dirty and make work!
LOGISTICS
Class fee includes 20 lbs of our in-house clay and firing. You can purchase additional clay if you end up wanting more. You will need a basic tool kit which you can either purchase from our online store or on the first day of class. You are also welcome to bring your own tools! Your class comes with 8 hours of open studio time to come in and practice what you are learning in class. More details about open studio times and logistics during the first week of class.
handbuilding independent study : 8 week class
When: Thursday mornings from 9:30 am-12:30 pm. 8 weeks beginning January 8 and ending February 26.
Instructor: Stephanie LeBaudour
Ages: 18+up
Cost: $296
Skill Level: Level 2, some previous handbuilding experience is required. Great for sculptors as well as those making functional pieces.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Mentor lead independent study is a great option for those looking to pursue their own projects with an instructor available for a little hand holding, questions and guidance, and critique or feedback as requested. We hope that this class will foster community development, and shared knowledge and interdisciplinary crossover. Instead of each class having a formal demonstration yours instructors will offer demos and hands on guidance upon request. This class will be taught by Stephanie and comes with 8 hours of open studio time to continue work on your projects outside of class.
LOGISTICS
This class does not come with clay, you can purchase clay from us on the first day of class. You will need a basic tool kit which you can either purchase from our online store or on the first day of class. You are also welcome to bring your own tools! Your class comes with 8 hours of open studio time to come in and practice what you are learning in class. More details about open studio times and logistics during the first week of class.
8 weeks of surface design for wheel throwers or handbuilders
When: Thursday evenings from 6:00pm-9:00pm. 8 weeks beginning January 8 and ending February 26.
Instructor: Kelly Brothers
Ages: 18+up
Cost: $340
Skill Level | Pre-requisites : Beginner Level. Many students will take Level 1 multiple times to continue throwing and build up their skill level before taking level 2.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Expand your skills and learn new techniques for decorating and surfacing your work. In this level 2 class students will learn to go beyond just glazing and will dig deeper into surface decoration. Most weeks students will arrive with work made outside of class that is ready to be surfaced. This work could be made in your own studio or during our open studio hours. Both wheel thrown and hand-built forms are welcome. Each class will cover one or more topics including: carving and inlay techniques, resist methods, pattern and image transfer, texturing, stencils, washes, advanced glazing techniques, and more. Students will receive guidance from the instructor on the best application of each technique for their specific work. The class will also include discussions about ceramic artists who use each technique you study so that you’ll be able to see how practiced potters incorporate surfaces into their work. Although some slabs will be provided for practice, students should be prepared to make a couple pieces, tiles, or slabs each week to bring to class.
LOGISTICS
Class fee includes a Kemper mini wire stylus, slip trailing bottle, some underglaze image transfers, community underglazes, slips, and washes for use during class, and during some classes pre-prepared slabs of clay. You can purchase as much or as little studio clay from our studio as you’d like which includes a firing fee. Your class comes with 8 hours of open studio time to come in and practice what you are learning in class. More details about open studio times and logistics during the first week of class.
Level 2 wheel throwing : 8 week class
When: Sunday mornings from 9:30am-12:30pm. 8 Weeks beginning January 11 ending March 1.
Instructor: Kelly Brothers
Ages: 18+up
Cost: $310
Skill Level | Pre-requisites : Level 2. Must be able to confidently center 2 lbs of clay. Must have taken a multi-week wheel throwing class at our studio or elsewhere.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Build on your wheel throwing skills in this 8 week Level 2 class. Each class will begin with an in depth wheel demonstration highlighting various pitfalls, solutions, and proper body mechanics. As students practice, they will receive one-on-one guidance and correction at the wheel. We will also discuss methods for trimming, techniques for handles, and glazing and decorating! This class is for level 2 students and Kelly will work with each individual to progress their skills based on their experience and current skill level. This class is hands on. Come prepared to get dirty and make work!
LOGISTICS
This class does not come with clay, you can purchase clay from us on the first day of class. You will need a basic tool kit which you can either purchase from our online store or on the first day of class. You are also welcome to bring your own tools! Your class comes with 8 hours of open studio time to come in and continue working on your projects or practice. More details about open studio times and logistics during the first week of class.
INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Forrest Lesch-Middelton founded FLM Ceramics and Tile, where he manages a small team making handmade pottery and tile in Petaluma, CA. In 2018 Forrest founded Petaluma Pottery with his wife Beth Schaible! He has a B.F.A. from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University and an M.F.A. in Ceramics from Utah State University. He has taught at Sonoma State University, Diablo Valley College, Santa Rosa Junior College, and Utah State University. He also lectures and teaches workshops at universities and art centers across the country.
In 2014 Forrest was named the Ceramic Artist of the Year by Ceramics Monthly, and in 2017 he was a McKnight Fellow at the Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis, MN.
www.flmceramics.com
Stephanie LeBaudour is a ceramicist living in Petaluma, CA. She received her BFA with an emphasis in Sculpture and Ceramics from San Francisco State University. After graduating she participated in the post bachelors’ program with the ceramics department at SF State and taught art and ceramics classes for children in Marin County. Originally from Ohio, Stephanie fell in love with working with clay and painting as a child and is continuing to develop a body of work exploring the relationship between form and surface.
www.instagram.com/stephanielebaudour_ceramics
Heather Fordham has been pottering around with clay since high school. She holds a BA in art history from Mills College and a MA in museum studies from John F. Kennedy University. Through her time working in museums over the past twenty years, she has cared for and studied the work of prominent local and international ceramicists. In her own work, she prioritizes form over decoration and strives to make silhouettes that are both strong and delicate. She creates her pottery in her home studio in Petaluma, has been profiled in Sonoma Magazine and you may dine off her work at Table Culture Provisions.
www.instagram.com/heatherfordhamceramics
Kelly Brothers is a Petaluma local with a long time love for craft and fine arts. Self-taught in photography, she has spent over a decade behind the lenses of her digital and 35mm film cameras capturing portraits and moments both professionally and as a hobby. After starting on the wheel at Petaluma Pottery under current and former instructors, she became the apprentice at FLM Tile & Ceramics in March of 2020 where she continues to work with Forrest Lesch-Middelton in his tile studio and at Petaluma Pottery. During her time as an apprentice she has developed her body of wheel-thrown functional wares, incorporating her passion for political and environmental justice into the surface designs of her pots.
kellybrotherspottery.com
Lara Birchler is a multimedia artist, amateur naturalist, and professional educator. Lara has a BA from UC Santa Cruz (Fine Art), a CA Single Subject (Art) Teaching Credential from Cal State Long Beach, and 15 years of experience teaching Ceramics and other art courses in public high schools. She recently spent 3 years studying nature-based curriculum at the Weaving Earth Center for Relational Education. Now Lara devotes most of her time to working in the studio, learning from the wild world, and serving as a nature-connection and creativity mentor for kids. Though she has explored many different mediums since childhood, Lara’s path keeps bringing her back to clay. She treasures the satisfaction of making things that support people (plus other beings like birds and plants!) to be nourished and delighted. Lara moved to Sonoma Co. not long ago, and is very grateful to be a part of the Petaluma Pottery community.
www.instagram.com/larabirchler
Lily Hourigan is a multifaceted artist. She has enjoyed working with different mediums including paint, fabrics, tile, and (of course) clay. She has a BS in Industrial Design with a Minor in Labor Studies from San Francisco State University. Lily first experienced community through art at ArtStart in Santa Rosa where she lead groups of teens in creating public murals and mosaics. Since then, she joined the local clay studio in Arcata, CA where she explored the serenity and frustration of throwing pottery. She is now back in her hometown — Petaluma — where she is grateful to be part of the Petaluma Pottery community. Her pieces focus on both functionality and surface design.
lily005.wixsite.com/lilyhourigan
Joe Farnham is a ceramicist living in Rohnert Park. He works in ceramic manufacturing in the Bay Area. Joe graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.S. in Business Marketing and a B.A. in Ceramics. He began his exploration of ceramics in high school, but truly fell in love with the art while taking a class with Forrest at the Santa Rosa Junior College. Joe previously worked out of Red Brick Studios in San Francisco, before moving to Sonoma County and building his own home studio. He has two daughters, and a cat named Peanut Marshmallow, who keep him very busy. When he is not working, playing with his children, or creating in his studio, Joe loves to play golf. Joe’s personal work focuses on wheel throwing with porcelain and high grog clay bodies. He loves to study the relationship between form and function, including how glazes can play a part in dictating how the piece can be used.
www.instagram.com/joethrows