Hand-Building Pottery Class (Ages 8–15)

A hands-on Pottery series where students learn essential hand-building techniques while creating functional and decorative ceramic pieces. Students will work with pinch, coil, and slab methods. Suitable for beginners, with advanced options for continuing students.

Schedule

Mondays: January 5, 12, 19, 26, and February 9 (Glazing Class)

4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Ages: 8-15 years old

Art Instructor: Natalie Pellegrini

Tuition: $375

Includes all clay materials, glazing, bisque firing, glaze firing, and instruction.

Class Breakdown

January 5: Introduction to clay and pinch pot forms
January 12: Coil building techniques and vessels
January 19: Slab building projects and construction
January 26: Details, attachments, and finishing work
February 9: Glazing and finishing ceramic pieces

If a student cannot attend the scheduled glazing class, an alternate glazing day can be arranged. Space is limited due to kiln capacity.

Register Here

Late Enrollment

Students may join the class after the series has begun, based on availability. Missed classes will be prorated, and new students will be guided to integrate into the ongoing projects.

Looking Ahead

Beginning in February, we plan to expand our clay program to include multiple Monday time slots, allowing students to continue building their skills in a more advanced studio format while still welcoming new students into the fundamentals class.

More details will be shared soon.

Hand-Building Pottery Class at The Artsy Backyard

At The Artsy Backyard, creativity is more than an activity—it’s a way to connect, explore, and express yourself. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, our studio is a welcoming, inspiring space where artists of all ages and experience levels come together to learn, create, and grow. Among our most loved offerings is our hand building pottery class, a hands-on clay experience designed to introduce students to foundational ceramic techniques while encouraging personal style and imagination.

What Is Hand-Building Pottery?

Hand building pottery is one of the oldest and most expressive forms of ceramic art. Instead of using a pottery wheel, students shape clay by hand using time-tested methods that emphasize form, texture, and intentional design. This approach allows for greater creative freedom and is especially well-suited for beginners, while still offering endless possibilities for more advanced artists.

In our classes, students learn how to transform raw clay into functional and decorative pieces using classic techniques such as pinch, coil, and slab building. These methods form the foundation of countless hand built pottery styles, from simple bowls and mugs to sculptural vessels and imaginative art pieces.

A Hands-On Learning Experience

At The Artsy Backyard, we believe the best way to learn is by doing. Our hand-building pottery classes are designed to be immersive and tactile, giving students plenty of time to experiment, make mistakes, and discover what excites them about working with clay.

Each class encourages students to explore different hand building pottery ideas, guiding them through the creative process while leaving room for personal interpretation. Projects may focus on functional ceramics, decorative objects, or playful sculptural forms, depending on skill level and artistic interest. The goal is not perfection, but progress, confidence, and creative joy.

Suitable for All Ages and Skill Levels

One of the things that makes hand building pottery so special is its accessibility. Our classes are thoughtfully structured to support beginners while offering depth and challenge for continuing students. New artists learn essential techniques step by step, while more experienced students are encouraged to refine their skills, explore complex forms, and push creative boundaries.

The Artsy Backyard proudly offers art classes in multiple mediums for all ages and all levels. Our pottery program reflects this philosophy by welcoming children, teens, and adults into the studio, creating an inclusive environment where everyone can feel comfortable learning something new.

Exploring Pinch, Coil, and Slab Techniques

Our hand-building pottery classes focus on three core techniques that serve as the building blocks of ceramic art:

Pinch: A simple yet powerful method where clay is shaped by hand into organic forms. This technique is often the first introduction to hand building pottery and helps students develop a strong connection to the material.

Coil: Using rolled clay coils stacked and blended together, students can create vessels, planters, and sculptural forms with unique textures and structural interest.

Slab: Flat sheets of clay are cut, shaped, and assembled to create geometric or architectural pieces, offering endless hand building pottery ideas for both functional and artistic projects.

By working through these techniques, students gain a well-rounded understanding of hand built pottery while developing confidence in their creative decision-making.

A Creative Studio in Los Angeles

Our Los Angeles studio is intentionally designed to feel inviting, inspiring, and relaxed. The Artsy Backyard is a place where creativity is celebrated without pressure, and where students are encouraged to enjoy the process as much as the finished piece.

The studio atmosphere supports exploration and collaboration, making it easy to connect with fellow artists while working on your own projects. Whether you’re joining us for pottery, painting, drawing, or another creative medium, you’ll find a space that values curiosity, expression, and community.

More Than Just Pottery

While our hand-building pottery class is a standout favorite, it’s just one part of what makes The Artsy Backyard special. We offer a wide range of art classes across different mediums, ensuring there’s something for everyone—no matter your age, experience, or artistic background.

Our approach is centered on accessibility and encouragement. We believe art should feel welcoming, not intimidating, and that creativity thrives when people feel supported and inspired. From first-time artists to lifelong creatives, our classes are designed to help every student unleash their inner artist.

Our Approach to Teaching

At The Artsy Backyard, instruction goes beyond technique. Our teaching philosophy emphasizes creativity, experimentation, and self-expression alongside skill development. Students are guided through processes thoughtfully, with room to adapt projects to their own interests and ideas.

This approach makes hand building pottery especially rewarding. As students learn the fundamentals, they’re also encouraged to think creatively about form, texture, and purpose. The result is hand built pottery that feels personal, meaningful, and unique.

Why Choose Hand-Building Pottery?

Hand building pottery offers a slower, more mindful way to create. Working directly with clay encourages focus, patience, and problem-solving, making it both creatively fulfilling and deeply satisfying. Many students find that hand building pottery becomes a form of relaxation and self-expression, offering a break from the fast pace of daily life.

For children and teens, it supports fine motor skills, confidence, and creative thinking. For adults, it provides a chance to reconnect with creativity in a hands-on, tangible way.

Discover Your Creativity at The Artsy Backyard

The Artsy Backyard is proud to be a creative hub in Los Angeles where art feels approachable, joyful, and inspiring. Our hand-building pottery class reflects everything we value: hands-on learning, artistic freedom, and a welcoming community.

If you’re looking to explore hand building pottery, discover new hand building pottery ideas, or create meaningful hand built pottery in a supportive studio environment, we invite you to join us. Learn more about our story, our approach, and everything our Los Angeles studio has to offer—and let us help you unleash your inner artist.