KIDS AND ADULT BEGINNER CLASS

Photo of a door frame positioned in front of a large, sprawling tree, creating an illusion of the tree being seen through the frame.

*Open Wheel means this class is open to kids ages 6-12, teens and adults. Perfect for parents to take with their kids!

The class is 1.5 hours and includes guided instruction on the wheel.

$90/person (instructor gratuity included)

If you're searching for a birthday party for kids, special events for both children and adults, or private gatherings, please reach out to us via email. We would be delighted to help you organize it!

Colorful interior of a pottery or ceramics studio with small wheel-thrown pottery pieces on tables, vibrant floral mural on the wall, and hanging puppets or dolls.
Classroom with galaxy-themed mural, including a spaceship model on the ceiling, with round tables and stools, and a vending machine designed to look like a rocket, suggesting a space or science theme.

Book an appointment.

These classes are non-private classes and are NOT meant for intensive, 1-on-1 attention or for groups of 6 or more who want to go at their own pace. Others who are not in your group will be taking the class as well. The instructor will be moving everyone together on each step. If you want to go at your own pace or have a larger group, please book a private.

A colorful room with space-themed decor, including a galaxy mural on the back wall, spaceship models hanging from the ceiling, and a pink wall decorated with dinosaur head sculptures. The room has a row of white circular tables and blue stools, yello
Colorful cafe interior with pink walls, floral mural, eclectic decorations including rabbit sculpture, vintage bicycle, ornate mirror, and modern seating with blue stools around pottery wheels.
Pottery room with tables and stools, space-themed wall mural and a spaceship model.
Decorative rabbit statue with a tray and bow tie in a colorful, eclectic cafe with purple walls and art on the wall.
A pink wall decorated with felt strawberry and mushroom hats, a wood coat rack, a painted wooden rocking horse, a set of yellow and blue lockers, and a black metal clothing stand.

  • Each class includes step-by-step instruction, clay, tools, choice of glaze color, and post-production of your pots (bisque and glaze firing). These classes are non-private, group classes. Others will be taking the class with you and the instructor will be moving everyone at the same pace.

    Your instructor preps the wheel area, clay, and tools ahead of time. After a short intro and demo, students receive step-by-step instructions on how to make and design a pot on the wheel. For these classes, we focus on making a bowl or a smaller pot that is best for beginners of all levels.

    At the end of class, the instructor will guide everyone through a quick clean-up. Students will then get to choose a glaze color for their piece.

    Your pots stay at the studio and staff handle all the post-production - glazing and firing. Once every pot in your group is finished, the staff will contact you for pick-up.

    **Please allow 4-6 weeks for your pottery to go through the entire firing process. Scroll further to read the Student Waiver*

  • We offer validation for three hours of parking.

  • Please respect your instructor and the others in the studio - put your phones on vibrate or silent. Take all phone calls outside if needed.

  • Come dressed comfortably! Please tie back long hair and remove any nice jewelry or watches. They won’t get damaged, but clay can be a pain to clean off. While the clay does wash out, we recommend wearing clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty. We do provide clean aprons for everyone.

    We also don’t recommend wearing tight or long dresses or skirts, as you’ll need to sit close to your wheel and move freely.

    You're more than welcome to bring a change of clothes for after class if you’re headed to your next destination!

    And just a friendly tip - long nails are not pottery-friendly because the process involves so much of your hands and fingers (but we’ve seen it done before)!

  • Please allow at least 4-6 weeks for your pottery to complete the firing process. Staff will contact you via text message or email when everyone’s pottery in your group is ready to be picked up.  From the time of your contact, you have 30 days to come pick up your pottery. After 30 days, your work may not be available for pick-up as we need to clear room for new student work.

    Occasionally, pieces do not make it through the firing process due to air bubbles, construction issues, etc. Occasionally, firings do not go as planned - shapes may warp slightly or glazes may come out different than expected. Staff cannot control the results of firings once a pot is in the kiln. This is simply the nature of the imperfect ceramic process. Completed, “perfect” pots cannot be guaranteed.

    REFUNDS WILL NOT BE ISSUED IF YOUR PIECE DOES NOT MAKE IT.

    You are coming to Bitter Root Pottery for the whole experience of working in a ceramics studio with a knowledgeable, friendly instructor! Our instructors have been working for years in this discipline to learn its many nuances and to get to the skills they have today. These skills cannot be imparted in one 2 hour session. So, while you may have ideas of creating a perfect bowl, we encourage you to set those expectations aside and focus on enjoying the entire experience of working with clay and engaging in the creative process in such depth.