• Introduction-Intermediate
  • Ceramic Arts

Learn techniques for hand building and throwing on the potter's wheel. Beginners and those with some clay experience will become acquainted with hand building techniques such as pinch pots, coiling, soft and hard slabs building, additive, manipulating the clay and other expressive ways of working with clay. Fundamental wheel-throwing techniques will be demonstrated with the opportunity to work on a pottery wheel. Explore surface decoration with slips, sgraffito, underglazes and glazes. This course includes demonstrations, theory, studio health and safety and discussions and analysis.


Spring 2021: 8 Weeks: Base Tuition: $355 + Materials Fee: $45 = Total: $400

Summer 2021: 8 Weeks: Base Tuition: $355 + Material Fee: $45 = Total: $400

PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID 19, special policies and regulations will apply. Students must be in agreement with these health and safety regulations and TSA's policies in order to enrol.

Notes: Natalie Waddell is a Toronto-based potter and Ceramic Artist. A student of the Sheridan College Ceramic Craft and Design program (2003), she has continued her studies by attending workshops lead by local and international ceramic artists and educators. Natalie has continuously explored and developed new bodies of functional and sculptural work. She is an active member of the Akin Artist Collective, the Toronto Potters Association, the Potters Guild of Hamilton and Region, FUSION: Ontario Clay and Glass Association and NCECA - the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts and Craft Ontario.
* This course is not currently open for registration

What you will learn

  • Form and function
  • Clay handbuilding techniques
  • Throwing on the pottery wheel
  • Surface decoration methods and various techniques underglazing, slip, scratching and scoring and glazing techniques
  • Clay studio health and safety

Materials to Bring

The $45 material fee includes 20 lbs of Cone 6 stoneware clay, all firings and use of glazes on site. Additional bags of clay are available for purchase at TSA (note: all clay used at TSA, must be purchased from TSA). During COVID, students must bring and use their own tools for use in the studio. Ceramic tools are available to purchase through specialty retailers or a basic kit can be purchased from TSA. Please see Materials below for details.

What to bring:

A basic pottery tool kit like these from Tucker’s Pottery Supply in Markham or Pottery Supply House in Oakville or Above Ground Art Supply (several Toronto locations). TSA will stock a limited number of these kits for sale.

  • Apron (clay is messy)
  • Sculpting tools
  • Paint brushes - new for detailed painting/worn brushes for different techniques
  • Small washcloth or tea towel
  • Tool kits