The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey’s Studio School, located in Summit, NJ, offers classes and workshops for artists of all ages and skill levels. Taught by experienced teaching artists, our programs span painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, and more—providing a supportive environment for learning, exploration, and creative growth.

SPRING SEMESTER 2026

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.

8433 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 on the potter’s wheel! This class will feature a little bit of everything, a bunch of fun, and a supportive environment.
10 session(s): 3/30–6/8 (no class on 5/25)
Tuition: member $505, non-member $535

8434 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 better potters. 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.
10 session(s): 3/30–6/8 (no class on 5/25)
Tuition: member $545, non-member $575

8439 Beginner Wheel Throwing Techniques
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.
10 session(s): 3/30–6/8 (no class on 5/25)
Tuition: member $545, non-member $575

8438 Form & Function in Clay
Instructor: Melissa Krishnamurthy
Mondays, 12:30–3 PM
Have you ever wanted to create your own coffee mug or design a 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.
10 session(s): 3/30–6/8 (no class on 5/25)
Tuition: member $505, non-member $535

8443 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.
10 session(s): 3/30–6/8 (no class on 5/25)
Tuition: member $505, non-member $535

8448 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 handbuilding techniques, instruction for wheel throwing will also be offered if requested.
10 session(s): 3/30–6/8 (no class on 5/25)
Tuition: member $505, non-member $535

8455 NEW! The Art of Ceramics
Instructor: Denise Banaag
Tuesdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Students will create functional and/or decorative sculptural ceramics using the wheel or handbuilding methods. While project ideas will be provided, students are encouraged to come with their own ideas and personal goals. The instructor will give individualized guidance to support each student’s creative exploration. This class is designed for beginner and intermediate students. Limited class size for maximum instruction.
9 session(s): 3/31–5/26
Tuition: member $485, non-member $515

8454 Master’s in Clay
Instructor: Melissa Krishnamurthy
Tuesdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Do you already have experience working with clay, but want to continue developing your skills and knowledge through your own creations? This class encourages intermediate and advanced students to come with their own ideas of what they would like to make, while the instructor provides one–on–one support in wheel–throwing or handbuilding techniques. The focus will be on finishing, expanding on simple forms, experimentation, and using a variety of methods.
10 session(s): 3/31–6/2
Tuition: member $505, non-member $535

8464 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.
9 session(s): 3/31–5/26
Tuition: member $485, non-member $515

8477 Set the Table: Wheel Thrown Kitchen & Table Ware
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. Students will work on building skills such as centering, pulling, trimming, finishing, and glazing. They will also develop an attention to detail while developing their own unique style. Self–driven projects are welcomed. Some wheel–throwing experience is recommended.
10 session(s): 3/31–6/2
Tuition: member $545, non-member $575

8476 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.
10 session(s): 3/31–6/2
Tuition: member $505, non-member $535

8483 Wheel-Thrown Pottery
Instructor: Beatrice (Jao-O) Chang
Wednesdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Try to stretch your imagination and find your own voice through pottery thrown on the wheel! 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.
7 session(s): 4/1–5/13
Tuition: member $345, non-member $375

8488 Individualized Projects in Clay
Instructor: Jessica Garber
Wednesdays, 12:30–3 PM
In this class, students can enhance their wheel–throwing skills by working on a series of individualized projects while receiving personalized instruction. Students are encouraged to enjoy the creative aspects of clay to make each project uniquely their own. Project ideas will be demonstrated so that students may build their skill levels throughout the semester. Please bring at least one 10” round or larger pottery bat and a set of bat pins to class.
10 session(s): 4/1–6/3
Tuition: member $505, non-member $535

8500 Beginner/Intermediate Wheel Throwing
Instructor: Emma Tabachnick
Wednesdays, 7–9:30 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. Limited class size for maximum instruction.
10 session(s): 4/8–6/10
Tuition: member $545, non-member $575

8512/8513 It’s Personal: Special Projects in Clay
Instructor: Peter Syak
8512 Thursdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
8513 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 build it. This will be a unique experience, part workshop and part learning laboratory. This class is limited in size to allow for ample individual attention.
8512/8513 10 session(s): 4/2–6/4
Tuition: member $545, non-member $575

8511 NEW! Form and Décor: Wheel and Surface Decoration
Instructor: Jennifer Evans Arbo
Thursdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Form and decoration are essential when it comes to finishing your ceramic ware. This class invites beginner and intermediate students to refine their wheel-thrown forms and explore the art of surface decoration. Students will learn to create functional and decorative pieces, while discovering exciting methods, such as sgraffito, water etching, mishima (slip-inlay technique), and more. By the end of this course, students will have developed their technical skills, enhanced their creativity, and created a collection of unique ceramic works. Daily demonstrations and hands-on instruction will be the focus.
10 session(s): 4/2–6/4
Tuition: member $505, non-member $535

8533 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.
10 session(s): 4/2–6/4
Tuition: member $505, non-member $535

8542 Throwing with Lisette Bedoya for the Advanced Potter
Instructor: Lisette Bedoya
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 advanced students.
10 session(s): 4/4–6/13 (no class on 5/23)
Tuition: member $505, non-member $535

8552 Ceramics for the Ultimate Advanced 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.
10 session(s): 4/4–6/13 (no class on 5/23)
Tuition: member $505, non-member $535