WINTER  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.

7341 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.
10 session(s): 1/6–3/10
Tuition: member $540, non–member $570

7352 Dynamics of Throwing Functional Pottery
Instructor: Melissa Krishnamurthy
Mondays, 12:30–3 PM
This class is for those eager to experiment! The focus will be on finishing techniques, expanding on simple forms, and using a variety of methods.
10 session(s): 1/6–3/10
Tuition: member $500, non–member $530

7412 Introduction to Wheel Throwing
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, and plates. Individual attention will be given to each student to enhance their learning experience. Limited class size for maximum instruction.
10 session(s): 1/6–3/10
Tuition: member $540, non–member $570

7368 Potentials in Pottery
Instructor: Melissa Krishnamurthy
Mondays, 6:30–9 PM
Come and create beautiful pottery! Learn how 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, some instruction for wheel throwing will also be offered if requested.
10 session(s): 1/6–3/10
Tuition: member $500, non–member $530

7375 Functional Pottery: Strategies & Techniques
Instructor: Melissa Krishnamurthy
Tuesdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Ever dream of drinking coffee out of a mug you made yourself or admiring flowers in a vase of your own design? Learn a variety of ceramic techniques to make your own functional pieces of pottery. Design and decoration methods including texturing, coloring with slips, and glazing will also be covered.
10 session(s): 1/7–3/11
Tuition: member $500, non–member $530

7376 Wheel Throwing for Beginners
Instructor: Denise Banaag
Tuesdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
From mugs to bowls, the possibilities are endless when creating on the pottery wheel! In this class, students will learn all of the basics: how to throw, open, pull, and trim clay to make functional vessels. Demonstrations will include how to make handles and add other embellishments to your thrown objects. The instructor will also teach basic glazing techniques. Limited class size for maximum instruction.
10 session(s): 1/7–3/11
Tuition: member $540, non–member $570

7383 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 hand-building 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.
10 session(s): 1/7–3/11
Tuition: member $540, non–member $570

7384 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 hand-building 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 pieces including adding found objects.
10 session(s): 1/7–3/11
Tuition: member $500, non–member $530

7390 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. Students will also develop an attention to detail while developing their own unique style. Self–driven projects are welcomed and some wheel throwing experience is recommended. Limited class size for maximum instruction.
10 session(s): 1/7–3/11
Tuition: member $540, non–member $570

7486 NEW! 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): 1/7–3/11
Tuition: member $500, non–member $530

7395 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.
Tuition: member $500, non–member $530

7400 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.
10 session(s): 1/8–3/12
Tuition: member $500, non–member $530

7353 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): 1/8–3/12
Tuition: member $540, non–member $570

7537 NEW! 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.
10 session(s): 1/9–3/13
Tuition: member $500, non–member $530

7424/7425 Throwing with Lisette Bedoya
Instructor: Lisette Bedoya
7425 Thursdays, 12:30–3 PM
7424 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.
7425 10 session(s): 1/9–3/13
7424 10 session(s): 1/11–3/15
Tuition: member $500, non–member $530

7433 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): 1/9–3/13
Tuition: member $500, non–member $530

7474 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.
10 session(s): 1/11–3/15
Tuition: member $500, non–member $530

7565 Great Beginnings: Ultimate Introduction to Clay–7 weeks
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.
7 sessions: 2/3–3/17/25
Tuition: $330 members; $370 non-members

 7566 Magic in the Machines: New Projects with Ceramic Equipment – 7 weeks
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 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.
7 sessions: 2/3–3/17/25
Tuition: $330 members; $370 non-members 

7567 It’s Personal: Special Projects in Clay AM–7 weeks
Instructor: Peter Syak
Thursdays, 9:30 AM–12 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. This class is limited in size to allow for ample individual attention.
7 sessions: 2/6–3/20/25
Tuition: $370 members; $400 non-members 

7568 It’s Personal: Special Projects in Clay PM–7 weeks
Instructor: Peter Syak
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. This class is limited in size to allow for ample individual attention.
7 sessions: 2/6–3/20/25
Tuition: $370 members; $400 non-members