NEW! Centering Basics

Instructor: Ethan Quillen
Saturday, 10AM-12:30PM
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $55

Centering clay on the wheel requires a blend of technical skills, steady practice, and patience. This workshop will break the process down step by step, guiding you toward achieving reliable results at the potter’s wheel.

Review the basics-from clay preparation and wheel setup to posture, body stabilization, and effective hand positioning. Explore how to open the clay properly to establish a strong floor and balanced walls, setting the stage for successful forms.

Learn essential techniques, along with tips and tricks, as you observe a guided demonstration designed to help you center with greater ease and control. Whether you’re sharpening your existing skills or working through centering challenges, this workshop will strengthen the foundational techniques that support a confident and consistent wheel practice. All levels-some wheel experience is required*

*Participants should have foundational centering skills and feel comfortable centering clay.

April 4  REGISTER>

NEW! Fire & Form: Alternative Firing Techniques

Instructors: Dave Meath, Ethan Quillen & Bethany Farrell
Wednesdays, 1-3:30PM
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $450

This class integrates both handbuilding and wheel throwing, with a focus on creating pieces and forms specifically for alternative firing processes. Experiment with surface decoration techniques using cobalt and salt as well as burnishing with terra sigillata for interesting finishes. Participate in multiple firings to explore a range of alternative methods, including Raku, Naked Raku (slip resist), Obvara, horsehair, and saggar pit firing. Each firing offers an opportunity for creative discovery as you reveal shimmery, iridescent, smokey matte surfaces or crackle effects. All levels, Adults /Teens 16+

Students will have an outdoor shelf space in a covered area to store pieces.

May 27-July 1  REGISTER>

Date Night: Hand Building

Instructors: MSS Staff
Fridays, 5:30-7:30PM
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $80/couple

Enjoy a date night at the studio! Couples will explore this captivating medium while being guided through the steps of making a specific piece. Students are welcome to get creative with your own ideas, while pieces may be personalized by decorating them with colored slips. Create memories and possibly some masterpieces to treasure in this 1-night class. Clay will be provided and each participant will be able to fire 1 piece which will be glazed by a staff member. All levels BYOB Ages 21+

Tuition includes registration for 2 people. Please provide the name of the other participant when registering.

March 27  REGISTER>

Friday Night Wheel

Instructor: Abigail Wentz
Friday, 5:30-7:30PM
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $40

Have you ever wanted to try a wheel-throwing pottery class? This 1-night class is a great introduction to this magical medium. Experience using a wheel while getting your hands in some clay. Learn about centering, shaping, and the process of making a pot on a wheel. Clay will be provided and each participant will be able to fire 1 piece which will be glazed by a staff member. All levels/no experience required. BYOB/Ages 21+

March 20  FULL/WAITLIST>

Date Night: Wheel Throwing

Instructors: MSS Staff
Fridays, 5:30-7:30PM
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $80/couple

Have a date night at the studio! Couples will explore this captivating medium and learn about wheel throwing while spending some quality time together. Experience using a wheel while getting your hands in some clay. Learn about centering, shaping, and the process of making a pot on a wheel. Create memories and possibly some masterpieces to treasure in this 1-night class! Clay will be provided and each participant will be able to fire 1 piece which will be glazed by a staff member. All levels/no experience required. BYOB Ages 21+

Tuition includes registration for 2 people. Please provide the name of the other participant when registering.

April 3  FULL/WAITLIST>
April 10  FULL/WAITLIST>

NEW! Alternative Firing Workshop

Guest Instructor: Bob Green
Weekend Workshop
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $375

Join us for an exciting, hands-on pottery workshop focused on alternative firing methods! Explore a variety of dynamic techniques, including Raku & Naked Raku, Saggar firing, and Horse Hair firing. Discover the rich textures and striking crackle effects of the Obvara method, also known as Baltic Raku. Take your pottery to the next level by experimenting with terra sigillata and burnishing. Gain insight into age-old Japanese and Native American firing and glazing traditions, discovering how these time-honored techniques continue to inspire modern ceramic artistry. Students will bring their own greenware & bisqueware. Int/Advanced

Students will need to bring their own pieces for terra sigillata & firings

May 15-17  REGISTER>

Monday Evening Wheel

Instructors: Dasha Kalisz & Jen Labie
Mondays, 6-8:30PM
Location: Clay Studio

This class is for students of all skill levels. For beginners the focus is on basic skills. Students who have mastered centering will be challenged with projects that match their interests. We will all stretch and grow no matter where we begin! All levels Adult/Teens 16+

Students may purchase clay at the start of class. It is recommended that students bring their own aprons for class. Aprons are available at the studio for students who are unable to provide their own.

Winter Session 2: March 2-April 27  RUNNING
Spring Session: May 4-June 22, Tuition: $360 REGISTER>

Monday Afternoon Hand Building

Instructor: Kathy Clarke
Mondays, Noon-2:30PM
Location: Clay Studio

Come sit around the table in the time honored activity of making pottery and sculpture using hands, tools, stamps, slips. Appropriate for beginners and professionals. Project ideas will be offered, independent projects welcome, and serious fun will be had! All levels/Adults

Students may purchase clay at the start of class. It is recommended that students bring their own aprons for class. Aprons are available at the studio for students who are unable to provide their own.

March 2-30 RUNNING
April 6-28, Tuition: $180  FULL/WAITLIST>
May 4-18, Tuition: $135  REGISTER>
June 1-29, Tuition: $225  REGISTER>

Tuesday Hand Building

Instructor: Kathy Clarke
Tuesdays, 10AM-12:30PM
Location: Clay Studio

Come sit around the table in the time honored activity of making pottery and sculpture using hands, tools, stamps, slips. Appropriate for beginners and professionals. Project ideas will be offered, independent projects welcome, and serious fun will be had! All levels/Adult

Students may purchase clay at the start of class. It is recommended that students bring their own aprons for class. Aprons are available at the studio for students who are unable to provide their own.

March 3-31 RUNNING
April 7-28 Tuition: $180 FULL/WAILIST>
May 5-26, Tuition: $180 REGISTER>
June 2-30, Tuition: $225 REGISTER>

NEW! Wednesday Evening Hand Building

Instructors: Catherine Brooks, Bethany Farrell & Elizabeth Stahl
Wednesdays, 6-8:30PM
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $360

Discover the endless creative possibilities of hand building with clay! Using just a few simple tools, slips, and glazes, you’ll explore a range of methods for creating functional and/or sculptural forms.
The class will be team-taught by three MSS potters. Bethany Farrell will share surface design techniques including sgraffito, burnishing with terrasigillata, and incorporating underglazes and stains. Elizabeth Stahl will focus on building with slabs, and decorating with underglaze transfers. The third section will be taught by Catherine Brooks, exploring the potential of using coils to build vases and lidded jars.
In addition to sharing these techniques and ideas, students will have the freedom to pursue their own creative visions. Guided instruction will support your growth at any level, while providing an opportunity to refine your skills. All levels/Adults 16+

May 5-26 REGISTER>

Thursday Morning Wheel

Instructors: Kathy Clarke & Cath Manegold
Thursdays, 10AM-12:30PM
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $315

This wheel class will focus on improving skills as needed for each student to grow in their abilities. We will cover centering, pulling up, shaping, trimming, surface treatment before bisquing and glazing after. Gaining confidence in the basics allows for self exploration in specific areas: rims, feet, lids, handles, spouts, altering, throwing larger and generally challenging yourself. Historic and contemporary pottery will be our inspiration. Join us for a fun class! Students purchase clay at the start of class. All levels, Adults/Teens 16+

Students may purchase clay at the start of class. It is recommended that students bring their own aprons for class. Aprons are available at the studio for students who are unable to provide their own

Winter Session 2: March 5-April 30  RUNNING
Spring Session: May 7-June 18  REGISTER>

Thursday Evening Wheel

Instructor: Saisorn Peemanao
Thursdays, 6-8:30 PM
Location: Clay Studio

This class will focus on making functional pottery using the potter’s wheel. Students will learn how to make bowls, cups, and plates. Several altering techniques will be demonstrated for making oval, square, and irregular forms in addition to round pots. Appendages such as handles, feet, and spouts will be considered in relation to form and function. Clay can be purchased at the beginning of class. All levels/Teens 16+

Students may purchase clay at the start of class. It is recommended that students bring their own aprons for class. Aprons are available at the studio for students who are unable to provide their own

Winter Session 2: March 5-April 30 RUNNING
Spring Session: May 7-June 18  REGISTER>

Independent Study

Monthly sessions
Tuition: $120

Independent Study is an option for more experienced potters who are interested in studio time rather than a class setting. Adults/Teens 16+

After taking two Adult weekly pottery classes (minimum 4-week session) at MSS, students are eligible to register for Independent Study to have access to the clay studio during open studio hours. Each participant will have a shelf for their work, clay and tools during the session. Open studio hours are offered daily and listed online on the open studio calendar which is updated regularly.

Tuition includes access to the studio which is equipped with a hand building room, wheel throwing room, and glazing area. Clay must be purchased at the studio which includes the cost of firing, and any outside glazes must be approved before firing. MSS offers a variety of clay to work with, including terracotta or white & brown stoneware.

Due to our limited space & capacity for firings, there is a limit of 2 bags of clay a month per participant. Independent study potters may glaze fire up 10 pieces per month (average in size, i.e. mugs, bowls). Please monitor how many pieces you glaze per month, to ensure to not exceed the limit. Sessions are offered on a monthly schedule and fill on a first-come, first-served basis. Independent study is a very popular offering, so slots fill quickly. We apologize that we cannot accommodate all who are interested.

How to Register

A new monthly session of independent study opens up for enrollment each month. A registration link will be listed online on the 1st day of each month, unless the 1st falls on a weekend or Holiday. If the first day of the month falls on a Holiday or weekend, enrollment will open up on the next business day.  Check below for the registration link and if a session is full there is an option to add yourself to a waitlist.

Cancellation Policy

No refunds will be issued for Independent Study cancellations made less than 7 days prior to the first day of the session. A partial refund may be issued for cancellations made within a week of the start date.

March RUNNING
April* FULL/WAITLIST>
May  FULL/WAITLIST>
*Monday morning Open Studio hours in April will be limited to the Wheel room only.

Check our open studio hours on our clay studio calendar