Preparing for your first pottery class is an exciting endeavour. The world of ceramics is vast and exciting and this is your first foray into that world.
I’ve been teaching introductory ceramics classes for a year and a half and I find there are many do’s and don’ts for your first pottery class. If you follow this list, hopefully this will set you up for success with a great first class.
1. Don’t Show Up Late
There is literally nothing in this world that your pottery teacher is going to hate more than if you show up late.
An introduction to pottery class requires the instructor to demo the pottery throwing process. If you show up late and miss that demo, your instructor is going to have to do the whole thing over again just for you or interrupt the entire classes progress to start from the beginning.. for you.
Be kind – show up on time.
2. Do Come prepared
If the class instruction says bring an apron – bring an apron. If the class instruction says to complete a form before the class, complete the form. This is not rocket science, of course. But all these little things hinder the class from starting on time and cut into everyone’s pottery time. Something you will learn to cherish – especially in a class setting where time flies by.
3. Don’t come with Instagram Pictures for Inspiration
Okay, fine. You can. But I will say I find the students that do this tend to be the most discouraged. Pottery is difficult – especially when using the pottery wheel for the first time.
For the most part, that potter who made the piece you pinned on Pinterest, has been making ceramics for a lot longer than you. So to hold yourself to that standard on your first class is only going to lead to disappointment.
Which leads me to my next point.
4. Do Enjoy the Process, Not Just the End Result
I guarantee you will come away with better pieces if your goal is to absorb information rather than to create the “perfect” piece you had in mind before even touching clay.
Pottery can be frustrating so if you’re enjoying the process, you’re 100x more likely to stick with it than you are if you are just hoping to create the perfect piece. And once you’ve been at it for a while, you will be able to create those dream pieces!
If you trust the process, enjoy yourself and don’t come in with super high expectations, you are going to enjoy yourself far more than you otherwise would.
Based on my experience, these are the Do’s and Don’ts for your first pottery class. If you have other Do’s and/or Don’ts, leave a comment or send me an email!
