What to expect in SCCA classes
Whether you're a first-time student or a returning artist, we want to make sure you feel prepared and excited for your SCCA class experience. Here’s everything you need to know before your first session.
Get ready for class
What to wear
Creating in clay usually means you’re going to get a bit messy. Don’t wear your fancy clothes to the studio! Here’s what we recommend wearing to class:
An apron or old clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty or stained
Closed-toe shoes for safety
Trimmed, short nails
Something to hold your hair back (if you have long hair)
What to bring
We provide all necessary tools and materials for our standard classes. However, you may want to bring the following with you:
An old towel (specifically for wheel classes)
A water bottle
A notebook and pen for jotting down tips and techniques
Any personal, specialty tools that you prefer to use
Some specialty classes may require that you bring some of your own materials with you. Be sure to check your class description for details!
Expectations for students
To ensure a positive experience for all students, please take note of our studio guidelines:
Arrive on Time: Classes start promptly, so please arrive 10-15 minutes early to get settled.
Clean-Up: Students are responsible for cleaning their workspaces and tools at the end of each class.
Missed Classes: SCCA does not provide make-up classes, or the ability to attend another class session. Do your best to attend each class in your series! View our Policies page for information about cancelling your spot in a class.
Firing Schedule: Pieces will be fired within 4-6 weeks after class ends. We'll email you when they're ready for pickup. If you haven’t seen an email and it has been 6 weeks since your class ended, contact us.
Guest Policy: Due to space limitations, only registered students can attend class sessions.
Find your class location
Your classroom location is listed in your class description, where you initially registered for your class. Find your class location information, and then use the directions to help guide you there! Please note that Google Maps does NOT take you to the correct place for our Classroom location, so the directions are extremely important to review.
Member Studio Location
301 E. 11th Street
The studio is located in the basement of ArtsBuild at the corner of 11th and King Streets. Enter the glass lobby door facing 11th street and take the elevator down to “B” level. Parking is available in the lot directly to the right of ArtsBuild. Metered street parking is also available.
Classroom Location
1271 Market Street
The classroom space is behind the Firestone building at the corner of Market and W. 13th Street. Classroom entrance is located on West 13th Street directly across from Urban Stack, while the entrance to the parking lot is on Cowart Street. If our parking lot is full, there is plenty of street parking available on Cowart, West 13th, and Market Street.
Skill Level Requirements
Beginner
Most of our classes are perfect for beginners or those looking for a refresher in clay. A beginner-level class means you don’t need any prior clay experience—just bring your curiosity and willingness to learn! However, beginner-friendly doesn’t mean it’ll be easy. Pottery is a skill that takes time and practice to develop, so don’t be discouraged if you encounter challenges in your first class(es). Unlike riding a bike, pottery requires consistent practice to build muscle memory and technique.
If you have prior pottery experience but haven’t worked with clay in more than 1-2 years, we strongly recommend starting with a beginner-level class—especially for wheel-throwing. Even if you’ve had experience before, refreshing your foundational skills can set you up for greater success and confidence as you continue your pottery journey.
Examples of Beginner classes: Get Your Hands Dirty, Wheel 1, Handbuilding 101.
Intermediate
Our intermediate-level classes are designed for students who have a solid foundation in pottery and are ready to build upon their skills. If you’re comfortable with the basics—such as centering 4+ pounds of clay, pulling walls, and creating simple forms—it’s time to challenge yourself with more complex techniques. Intermediate classes will introduce new forms, refine your craftsmanship, and help you develop a more personal style.
If you've taken a beginner class and feel confident in your fundamental skills, or if you've been consistently practicing pottery for at least 6 months to a year, an intermediate class is a great next step. These classes will encourage you to push your creative boundaries while reinforcing the skills you've already learned.
Not ready to go to the next level? We always recommend taking more than one beginner-level class from different instructors to gain more experience before leveling up.
Examples of Intermediate classes: Wheel 2, Mug-Making, specialty handbuilding workshops.
Advanced
Our advanced-level classes are ideal for experienced potters who are ready to take their skills to the next level. These classes focus on refining techniques, exploring intricate forms, and mastering complex processes such as altering forms, surface decoration, and advanced glazing techniques.
To succeed in an advanced class, students should have strong technical proficiency, a thorough understanding of clay properties, and the ability to work independently on projects. Advanced classes often provide opportunities for experimentation and artistic growth, helping students develop a unique voice in their ceramic work.
If you've been consistently creating pottery for several years, have a deep understanding of form and function, and are eager to tackle more challenging projects, our advanced classes are the perfect fit. Advanced classes also serve the more technical side of running a studio - providing in-depth information about glaze chemistry, kiln maintenance, and more.
Examples of Advanced classes: Glaze Chemistry, Kiln Maintenance, Wheel 3, and other specialty workshops.
Meet our instructors
Our talented team of instructors brings years of experience and passion for ceramics to every class. Learn more about their backgrounds and artistic styles on our Instructor Page.