FALL SEMESTER 2025

Adult Ceramics Classes

NOTE: Ceramics tuition fees include: class instruction, use of equipment, and the firings of works produced in class. The only additional material to purchase is clay, which is available at the Front Desk. Optional pottery tools are also available.

7924 Great Beginnings: The Ultimate Introduction to Clay
Instructor: Peter Syak
Mondays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Want to get your hands dirty and have a blast in the process? Great Beginnings is the class for you. Let’s make plates and cups with saucers, build vases, perfume bottles, a box or two, and perhaps a bit of sculpture. Let’s even try our hand at the potter’s wheel! This class will feature a little bit of everything, a bunch of fun, and a supportive environment.
11 session(s): 9/15–11/24
Tuition: member $557, non-member $587

7925 Back to the Basics: Refining Your Wheel Throwing Skills
Instructor: Emma Tabachnick
Mondays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Whether you’re a new potter looking to explore the fun and exciting world of wheel throwing or a more experienced potter looking to refine and improve your skills, this class is the one for you! Students will focus on building technical skills such as centering, pulling, and trimming that will help them become a better potter. The instructor will go over some basic forms like cylinders, bowls, and plates to create a variety of pieces. Limited class size for maximum instruction.
11 session(s): 9/15–11/24
Tuition: member $602, non-member $632

7943 NEW! Form & Function in Clay
Instructor: Melissa Krishnamurthy
Mondays, 12:30–3 PM
Have you ever wanted to make your own coffee mug or design your own vase for flowers? Intermediate and advanced students will explore a variety of techniques and make their own functional pieces on the pottery wheel. Design and decoration methods, including texturing, coloring with slips, and glazing, will also be covered.
11 session(s): 9/15–11/24
Tuition: member $557, non-member $587

7944 Wheel Throwing for Beginners & Intermediates
Instructor: Jessica Garber
Mondays, 12:30–3 PM
Enter the world of wheel-thrown pottery! Learn how to throw on the wheel, trim, and apply surface decorating techniques, including carving and glazing options. Students will learn how to create beautiful vases, bowls, plates, and more! Individual attention will be given to each student to enhance their learning experience. Intermediate students are welcome and will be given opportunities to challenge and elevate their wheel-throwing skills. Students who are interested in throwing plates should bring a 10″ or larger round bat with a set of bat pins to class. Limited class size for maximum instruction.
11 session(s): 9/15–11/24
Tuition: member $602, non-member $632

7948 Magic in the Machines: New Projects with Ceramic Equipment
Instructor: Peter Syak
Mondays, 3:30–6 PM
The ceramics studio has all sorts of great equipment, including extruders, a slab roller, and wheels. It also contains textures, gadgets, and hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered and become part of your designs. In this class, we will explore ways to utilize the underappreciated studio assets to create both sculptural and functional ceramic items. Along the way, we will seek out ways to develop your personal style and make our machines your friends. This class will give participants the opportunity to push clay and imagination to the limit as we create everything from perfume bottles and vases, to chalices and architectural features.
11 session(s): 9/15–12/1 (no class on 9/22)
Tuition: member $557, non-member $587

7955 NEW! Pottery Palette
Instructor: Melissa Krishnamurthy
Mondays, 6:30–9 PM
Come and create beautiful pottery! In this class, intermediate and advanced students will continue to make functional and sculptural forms in clay through instructor demonstrations and personal experimentation. The focus of this class will be hand-building techniques such as slab, pinch pot, coil, and free form design. Use of studio equipment, such as the slab roller and extruder, will be included. While emphasis will be on hand-building techniques, some instruction for wheel throwing will also be offered if requested.
11 session(s): 9/15–12/1 (no class on 9/22)
Tuition: member $557, non-member $587

7982 NEW! Masters in Clay
Instructor: Melissa Krishnamurthy
Tuesdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Do you already have experience in clay, but want to continue developing your skills and knowledge through your own creations? This class is made for intermediate and advanced pottery wheel and hand-building students, who are encouraged to come with their own ideas of what they would like to make from clay, while the instructor will provide one one-on-one support. The focus will be on finishing techniques, expanding on simple forms, experimentation, and using a variety of methods.
11 session(s): 9/16–12/2 (no class on 9/23)
Tuition: member $557, non-member $587

7983 Wheel Throwing for Beginners
Instructor: Denise Banaag
Tuesdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
This class is for beginners who want to learn the fundamentals of wheel throwing. Students will learn how to throw, open, pull, and trim clay to create functional and decorative pieces. The instructor will provide demonstrations on how to make mugs, bowls, vases, and luminaries. Additionally, instruction will be provided on how to add embellishments to pieces like handles. Limited class size for maximum instruction.
11 session(s): 9/16–12/9 (no class on 9/23, 10/28)
Tuition: member $602, non-member $632

7991 Clay Creations: Handbuilt Ceramics
Instructor: Shelley Rosen Howard
Tuesdays, 12:30–3 PM
Whether you are new to ceramics or an experienced clay artist, this class will let you explore the various methods of designing, constructing and finishing handbuilt ceramics. Heavy emphasis will be placed on creating a solid foundation of handbuilding techniques with time for experimentation. Wheel throwing is an option, and self-guided projects are always welcome. Students will be encouraged to push boundaries and explore different ways to decorate and finish their piece,s including adding found objects.
11 session(s): 9/16–12/2 (no class on 9/23)
Tuition: member $557, non-member $587

7998 Crafted from Clay
Instructor: Denise Banaag
Tuesdays, 12:30–3 PM
In this class, students will have the opportunity to make functional pottery thrown on the wheel or use handbuilding techniques to make sculptural or functional pieces. The instructor will provide demonstrations and project suggestions, but students are encouraged to come to class with their own ideas they would like to create from clay. This class is designed for beginner and intermediate level students. Limited class size for maximum instruction.
11 session(s): 9/16–12/9 (no class on 9/23, 10/28)
Tuition: member $602, non-member $632

8010 Set the Table: Wheel Thrown Kitchen & Tableware
Instructor: Emma Tabachnick
Tuesdays, 6:30–9 PM
This class will focus on functional pottery such as bowls, plates, mugs, and other kitchen goods. Focus will be on form, function, design, problem solving, and consistency. Work on building skills such as centering, pulling, trimming, finishing, and glazing. Students will develop an attention to detail while developing their own unique style. Self-driven projects are welcome. This class is made for intermediate/advanced students. Limited class size for maximum instruction.
11 session(s): 9/16–12/2 (no class on 9/23)
Tuition: member $602, non-member $632

8009 Intermediate Wheel Throwing
Instructor: Jessica Garber
Tuesdays, 6:30–9 PM
Are you looking to take your pottery skills to the next level? This class is designed for intermediate students to progress their wheel-thrown technical skills and overall refinement of their work. The following techniques will be highlighted: pulling (making the most out of your clay), collaring, and advanced shaping and trimming techniques. Each student will be able to work on their own individual hurdles and be guided through them in this individualized learning environment class.
11 session(s): 9/16–12/2 (no class on 9/23)
Tuition: member $557, non-member $587

8018 Wheel-Thrown Pottery
Instructor: Beatrice (Jao-O) Chang
Wednesdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Study fundamentals and forms of wheel-thrown pottery as you receive step-by-step instructions for both traditional and experimental processes. You will experiment with decorative elements such as surface pattern, texture, and glazing. This class is taught by an instructor who is bilingual in Chinese and English. For questions or additional information, please email us at studioschool@artcenternj.org, and we will connect you with the instructor for translation assistance in your preferred language.
11 session(s): 9/17–12/3 (no class on 11/26)
Tuition: member $557, non-member $587

8024 Individualized Projects in Clay
Instructor: Jessica Garber
Wednesdays, 12:30–3 PM
In this class, students will have the opportunity to enhance their wheel throwing skills by working on a series of individualized projects and will receive personalized instruction. Students will be encouraged to enjoy the creative aspects of clay to make each project uniquely their own. Project ideas will be demonstrated in order for students to build their skill levels throughout the semester.
11 session(s): 9/17–11/26
Tuition: member $557, non-member $587

8039 Beginner/Intermediate Wheel Throwing
Instructor: Emma Tabachnick
Wednesdays, 7–9:30 PM
In this class, learn all of the basics of pottery from throwing on the wheel to trimming and applying decorative surface techniques. Learn how to create beautiful vases, bowls, and plates that can be functional. Limited class size for maximum instruction.
11 session(s): 9/17–12/10 (no class on 10/1, 11/26)
Tuition: member $602, non-member $632

8048/8058 It’s Personal: Special Projects in Clay
Instructor: Peter Syak
8048 Thursdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
8058 Thursdays, 12:30–3 PM
Do you have a project inside you that is yearning to get out? Can’t figure out how to get started, or worse, you have hit a snag? Perhaps you saw something cool and want to try to make it yourself. This is the class for you. Instructor Peter Syak will offer specialized instruction and his technical expertise to help you figure out what you want to create and will then help you to build it. This will be a unique experience, part workshop and part learning laboratory. Limited class size for maximum instruction.
8048/8058 11 session(s): 9/18–12/11 (no class on 10/02, 11/27)
Tuition: member $602, non-member $632

8047 Discovering Details in Ceramics: Surface Decorating Techniques
Instructor: Jennifer Evans Arbo
Thursdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
It is all about those details! This class invites beginners and intermediate students to explore the art of wheel throwing and various surface decorating techniques. Students will learn to create functional and decorative pieces on the potter’s wheel while discovering exciting methods such as sgraffito, water etching, slip trailing, carving, and more. By the end of the course, students will develop their technical skills, enhance their creativity, and create a collection of unique ceramic works. Daily demonstrations and hands-on instruction will be the focus.
11 session(s): 9/18–12/11 (no class on 10/2, 11/27)
Tuition: member $557, non-member $587

8057/8082 Throwing with Lisette Bedoya
Instructor: Lisette Bedoya
8057 Thursdays, 12:30–3 PM
8082 Saturdays, 10:15 AM–12:45 PM
Concentrate on refining your throwing skills with one of the Art Center’s most energetic instructors. Expand your existing ceramic knowledge by tapping into
alternative ways to manipulate clay. Surface decoration and glazing will be covered as well. This class is designed for intermediate and advanced students.
8057 11 session(s): 9/18–12/11 (no class on 10/2, 11/27)
8082 11 session(s): 9/20–12/13 (no class on 10/25, 11/29)
Tuition: member $557, non-member $587

8070 Taking It to the Next Level: Advanced Wheel Throwing
Instructor: Lisette Bedoya
Thursdays, 6–8:30 PM
Are you ready to step up your wheel-throwing game? Through demonstrations and hands-on practice, students will work through a series of projects designed to introduce new skills to add to their throwing repertoires. Topics such as throwing lidded forms, multiple component forms, and various surface embellishments will be covered. This class is for advanced students who are proficient in basic wheel throwing.
11 session(s): 9/18–12/11 (no class on 10/2, 11/27)
Tuition: member $557, non-member $587

8088 Ceramics for the Ultimate Potter
Instructor: Lisette Bedoya
Saturdays, 1–3:30 PM
Continue your growth as a ceramic artist. We will fine-tune our wheel-throwing skills by mastering wall thickness, pottery design, and function. Explore different surface and finishing techniques. For intermediate to advanced students.
11 session(s): 9/20–12/13 (no class on 10/25, 11/29)
Tuition: member $557, non-member $587