NEW! Centering Basics Workshop

Instructors: Ethan Quillen
Friday, 5:30-7PM
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. Clay will be provided. All levels-some wheel experience is required*

*Participants should have foundational centering skills and feel comfortable centering clay. Because the focus is on skill development and refining techniques, work created during this workshop will not be fired.

August 14  REGISTER>

NEW! Raku Workshop

Instructors: Ethan Quillen & Bethany Farrell
Saturday, 9:30AM-1PM
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $85

Take your pieces to the next level while exploring the magical process of Raku firing! Experiment with decorating pots and learn about glazing, while participating in raku firings. Learn each step of the process from loading & unloading to safety and the final exciting step of cleaning pieces to reveal their shine! Results for finished pieces can be unpredictable so expect the unexpected. Int/Adv

Students will need to bring: 4-5 pieces of their own bisqueware for raku made of high fire clay, cone 6-10 raku or white stoneware.

August 8  REGISTER>

NEW! Pizza & Clay Date Night: Wheel Throwing

Instructors: MSS Staff
Fridays, 5-7:30PM
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $90/Couple

Join us on a Summer evening for a delightful night of Pizza & Pottery! Start out with some wood-fired pizza from our on-site pizza oven and a beverage. Next, get your hands in some clay as an Instructor guides you through the process of wheel throwing. Explore this captivating medium while learning about centering, shaping, and the process of making a pot on a wheel. Enjoy an evening filled with creativity while possibly making some masterpieces to treasure! 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 the cost of pizza & firing 1 piece per student. 

Gluten Free pizza is available upon request. Please contact us at info@middleburystudioschool.org with any gluten free requests prior to the event.

August 7 FULL/WAITLIST>
August 21 REGISTER>

Creating a Teapot on the Wheel

Instructors: Danya Pirie
Thursdays, 6-8:30PM
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $195

A handmade teapot is a timeless ceramic form that blends beauty, function, and craftsmanship. Creating a teapot is both a technical and artistic endeavor, requiring thoughtful attention to form, function, and aesthetics at every stage of the process.

In this workshop, you’ll explore the essential elements of teapot design while creating your own teapot on the wheel. Learn how to throw and assemble each component—from the body and lid to the handle and spout—while considering brewing methods, usability, and visual balance.

As you construct your teapot, you’ll discover what makes a design truly successful: a well-fitted lid, a balanced body and handle, comfortable ergonomics, and a spout that pours cleanly and effortlessly. Throughout the process, you’ll be encouraged to bring your own creative vision and personal style to this functional and expressive ceramic form. Int./Adv.*

After the teapots have been glaze-fired, we will gather for a special tea time and brew tea in your newly finished teapots. This will be scheduled some time in the Fall.

*Students must be able to consistently center and throw forms on the potter’s wheel. Prior experience making lidded forms, is strongly recommended.

August 6-27  FULL/WAITLIST>

Form & Transform: Altering on the Wheel Workshop

Guest Instructor: Stuart Gair
Monday & Tuesday, 1-5PM
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $210

We’re delighted to welcome Stuart Gair to the clay studio this summer as a guest instructor for an immersive two-day workshop. He will demonstrate a variety of throwing and altering techniques, along with the process of making and using a bisque hump mold to create a large tray. Participants will add new tools and approaches to their repertoire while exploring how combining techniques can expand expressive possibilities in creating more dynamic forms. Demonstrations will include throwing a pitcher on the wheel, constructing a five-sided teapot, crafting a sapphire box, and creating a functional pouring vessel.

This workshop offers a unique opportunity to observe Stuart’s process up close while experimenting with new ideas in your own practice. We’ll conclude with an informal artist talk, where Stuart shares insights from his pottery journey while enjoying pizza from our wood-fired oven. Adults, Int./Adv*

*This workshop is suited for students with prior wheel experience and a consistent throwing practice. Participants are welcome to bisque-fire the molds they create during class. Additional work will only be fired for students currently taking another class and have a shelf space.

Stuart Gair’s work balances form and function through thoughtful design, reflecting architectural influences and enhanced by layered surface treatments. To learn more about Stuart or view his work, visit stuartgair.com

August 10 & 11  FULL/WAITLIST>

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 hand building 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.

August 26-September 30 REGISTER>

Monday Evening Wheel

Instructors: Dasha Kalisz & Kristi Tolgyesi
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.

Summer Session 1: July 6-27 RUNNING
Summer Session 2: August 3-31, Tuition: $225  FULL/WAITLIST>
Fall Session 1: September 14-October 26 Tuition: $315  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.

August 3-31 REGISTER>
September 14-28 FULL/WAITLIST>
October 5-26, Tuition: $180  FULL/WAITLIST>
November 2-30, Tuition: $225  REGISTER>
December 7-21, Tuition: $135  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.

July 7-28 RUNNING
August 4-25  FULL/WAITLIST>
September 1-29, Tuition: $225 REGISTER>
October 6-27, Tuition: $180 REGISTER>
November 3-24, Tuition: $180 REGISTER>
December 1-22, Tuition: $180 REGISTER>

NEW! Wednesday Wheel

Instructor: Jen Labie
Wednesdays, 2-4:30PM
Location: Clay Studio
Tuition: $315

Focus on the essential techniques of wheel throwing while developing your skills at your own pace. We’ll begin with the fundamentals—centering, opening, and pulling walls to create cylinders—then gradually explore a variety of forms and techniques.

Beginners will be guided through each step of the process, from throwing on the wheel to trimming and glazing, while students with experience can refine their technique and expand their skills. Throughout the class, students will have an opportunity to explore their own creative style while experimenting with surface decoration. 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.

Fall Session: October 28-December 16*  REGISTER>
*no class on November 25 due to Thanksgiving

Wednesday Evening Hand Building

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

Discover the endless creative possibilities of hand building with clay! Explore a range of methods—including slab, coil, & pinch construction to build both functional and sculptural forms. Additionally, students will focus on elements of design such as sgraffito, applique, underglaze surface decoration and more.  

While the class will introduce a variety of traditional techniques and project ideas, students will also have the freedom to pursue distinct creative visions. A team of instructors will bring different approaches to hand building and will simultaneously bolster concepts from one class to the next. This class offers students of all experience levels the opportunity to refine hand building skills. 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.

Summer Session: July 1-29 RUNNING
NEW! Fall Session: September 2-October 21, Tuition: $360 REGISTER>

Thursday Morning Wheel

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

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.

Summer Session 1: July 2-30  RUNNING
Summer Session 2: August 6-27, Tuition: $180,  FULL/WAITLIST>
Fall Session 1: September 3-October 22, Tuition: $360,  FULL/WAITLIST>
Fall Session 2: October 29-December 17*, Tuition: $315,  REGISTER>
*no class on November 26 for Thanksgiving

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

Summer Session 1: July 2-30 RUNNING
Fall Session 1: September 3-22, Tuition: $360 FULL/WAITLIST>
Fall Session 2: October 29-December 17*, Tuition: $315,  REGISTER>
*no class on November 26 for Thanksgiving

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.

July RUNNING

August FULL/WAITLIST

September FULL/WAITLIST>

Check our open studio hours on our clay studio calendar