Pottery Classes at Fireborn Studios in Pittsburgh

Pottery Classes at Fireborn Studios
in Pittsburgh, PA

Information for Prospective Students.

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 range of beautiful glazes; we have thirty exceptional high fire reduction glazes, ranging from deep cobalt blues to dramatic copper reds. Maximum class size is eleven 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:

There are three separate adult classes. They are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Wednesday morning from 9:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m. Classes meet once a week. Most classes run for eight consecutive weeks. For example, if you are in the Tuesday class, you come for 3 hours every Tuesday night for eight consecutive weeks. You may join a class whenever there is an opening. Sometimes there is a waiting list. 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.

Tuition

A block of 8 classes costs $196. A 10 week session costs $220. Classes have from six to eleven people enrolled. If you sign up for another consecutive session without a break, there is a 8% discount. Please give 2 weeks notice of whether or not you plan to continue.

To sign-up or for more information
call 412-488-6835.

Supplies You Need

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 may stain. If you need tools, we sell a high quality, basic pottery tool kit for $15.00.

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.

Registration

Registrations are processed in the order in which they are received. Call to see if there is space in the class you want to join. Please be prepared to secure your space with payment in full at the time of registration. For more information, call 412-488-6835. Students must be 17 years of age or older.

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 $40 cancellation fee will be charged. Once classes have started, and before the second class begins, students may withdraw, but an $80 withdrawal fee will be charged. No refund will be given after the second class.

Materials fee

Twenty five pounds of clay is included in tuition. If additional clay is needed, you may buy 2 more bags of clay per 8 week session at $25 a bag. Glazes and firing are included.

To sign-up or for more information
call 412-488-6835.

Private Lessons

Private and small group lessons are available at $75 for the first person and $35 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 "Ghost" tradition. For folks who want to learn more about specific 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

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