Working on a Potter's Wheel

Sign-Up Information

The next term starts February 28, 29 and March 1st. To sign up click here. As of noon, Feb 6 there were still openings Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. The other classes are full.

Please Get on the Mailing List. I will keep you informed of future openings, new class offerings, and give you a link to next term's sign-up page, when it becomes available. Thank you for your interest.

Current Students

Current Students: You should go here for more information.

Throwing Pots is FUN

Potters make pots.

Pottery Classes at Fireborn Studios
in Pittsburgh, PA

Information for Prospective Students.

The information on this page should answer most of your questions. If you wish, call 412-488-6835 for more information.

Course Description: Pottery Class

Adult Classes are for beginning through advanced students with individualized instruction based on student's interests. Basic and advanced wheel throwing techniques will be covered. Techniques for making a variety of forms such as plates, bowls, vases, pitchers and teapots will be demonstrated. Texture and altered forms will be explored as well as a variety of glazing and decorating techniques. Beginning students usually produce from one to three pots per day. When glaze fired, all pots are food safe and usable in a microwave, dishwasher or oven. Choose from a wide range of beautiful glazes; we have thirty exceptional high fire reduction glazes, from deep cobalt blues to dramatic copper reds. Maximum class size is twelve students.

Instructor:

All adult classes are taught by Dan Vito. He is a full time professional potter and certified teacher. He makes a varied and extensive body of work which he has exhibited in hundreds of galleries.

Class Times:

The next term will be 8 weeks long. Classes will be held.

Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Thursday evening from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Thursday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Classes meet once a week. For example, if you are in the Tuesday class, you come for 3 hours every Tuesday night for eight consecutive weeks. There will be a mix of new and continuing students in each class so we constantly review the basics as well as introduce new and advanced techniques.

Sign-Up - Registration

Once my current students decide it they wish to continue I will contact everyone on my mailing list and give them a link to the sign-up page so they can register. That will happen about 3 weeks before the new term starts. So get on the mailing list if you want a "heads up" notification.

Tuition

There is a 3 tiered price structure. For and 8 week term, the full price for brand new students is $240. For students not currently enrolled but who have previously taken classes at Fireborn, the price is $220. For currently enrolled students who are rolling over into this class with out a break, the "early bird" price is $199. Some terms may be longer or shorter and the price is adjusted accordingly.

Materials fee

Twenty five pounds of clay is included in tuition. If additional clay is needed, it costs $25 for 20 pounds. The clay used is grolleg porcelain. Glazes and firing are included.

Supplies You Should Bring

You should bring a towel and a small bucket or plastic container for your water. Something between a quart and a gallon is fine. A gallon milk jug with the top cut off will suffice. Wear a short-sleeved shirt. Aprons are optional. Clay easily washes out of clothing. Some glaze materials will stain. If you need tools, we sell a high quality, basic pottery tool kit for $15.00. Kemper brand makes the best tools. We also sell brushes.

Make-up Policy

We try to be flexible. If you want to make up a missed class, you may do so by scheduling class on another day of the week, space permitting (for example if you regularly attend Tuesday’s class, you can make up on a Thursday). Please call to reschedule. You will need to fit your make-up classes within your eight week session. Go here for more information.

Cancellations, Withdrawals & Refunds

Fireborn may cancel or postpone classes if minimum enrollment is not attained or with 48 hours notice.

If students cancel within three days before the start of class a $50 cancellation fee will be charged. Once classes have started, and before the second class begins, students may withdraw, but an $100 withdrawal fee will be charged. No refund will be given after the second class.

Private Lessons

Private and small group lessons are available at $100 for the first person and $50 for each additional person, per hour, and will be tailored to meet your needs. After the work is bisqued (two weeks later), you can schedule a private glazing lesson for $50. This is a great idea for an anniversary activity in the tradition of the film "Ghost". For folks who want to learn more about specific a subject, I can teach glaze formulation, show you how to use Glaze Calculation programs, mix glazes, fire kilns or whatever. Call Dan Vito (412-488-6835) for more information about private lessons. Dan is a state certified teacher and master potter.

Understanding the flow of work through the studio cycle:

Class 1, you make a pot. By class 2 it will be dry enough to trim and sign. When it is fully dried (in another 5 to 7 days) it is called "green ware". Next comes the bisque firing (to 1900 degrees F and lasting 11 hours). After that your pot called "bisque ware". "Green ware" will dissolve in water. "Bisque ware" will not dissolve. By Class 4, your pot should be bisqued and ready to wax and glaze. Glazing begins at 8:30 P.M. Next, your pot is glaze fired. Glaze firing goes to 2400 degrees F. When finished, your porcelain pottery will be safe to use in an oven, microwave and dishwasher. Each week you make new pots, trim pots from the previous week, and glaze your bisque ware.

A typical class schedule:

6:30 to 6:45 set up/new student orientation
6:45 to 7:15 demonstrations (see below)
7:15 to 8:30 individual help, throwing and trimming
8:30 glazing
9:15 clean-up
9:30 out the door

Typical Demonstrations:

Plates and Platters
Pie, Quiche and Souffle
Small bowls, Teabowls and Rice bowls
Large bowls
Cups and Mugs
Flowerpots, Utensil Holders
Lids
Honey Pots, Garlic Keepers
Jars and Canisters
Casseroles
Teapots
Altered Forms

Why Choose Us?