Clay Foundations
Course List

This introductory series gives students the opportunity to experience the three foundational methods of clay handbuilding featured throughout the Clay Foundations program: pinch, coil and slab construction. Through a variety of guided projects, students will explore how different building approaches affect structure, function and artistic design while developing a stronger understanding of how clay behaves during shaping, joining, drying and firing. By sampling each method on a smaller scale, students gain the confidence and vocabulary needed to continue into more focused clay courses while creating projects that are both creative and functional.

Pinching is one of the oldest and most essential forms of clay handbuilding, teaching students how to shape clay through pressure, balance and touch. In this series, students will learn how simple pinching methods can transform a ball of clay into functional pottery and sculptural artwork while developing an understanding of wall thickness, form, symmetry and structural integrity. As projects progress, participants will strengthen foundational clay skills including shaping, smoothing, attaching components and adding texture. These techniques form the basis for more advanced handbuilding methods and help students build confidence working directly with clay by hand.

Coil building teaches students how to construct clay forms gradually while developing control, patience and structural awareness. In this series, students will roll and extrude coils of clay that are transformed into both functional and sculptural artwork while learning how individual pieces work together to create strength, height and form. Throughout the course, participants will focus on consistent coil size, secure attachment methods, smoothing techniques and proper wall thickness to encourage successful drying and firing. These skills are essential to handbuilding and help students better understand construction, stability and surface development in clay.

Slab construction is one of the most versatile methods in clay handbuilding, allowing artists to create structured forms, functional pottery and detailed decorative work. In this series, students will learn how to compress, roll, cut, texture and assemble clay slabs while exploring the relationship between design, structure and craftsmanship. Participants will practice measuring, joining and reinforcing clay pieces to reduce warping and improve durability while creating projects that encourage creativity, problem-solving and artistic decision-making. These foundational skills prepare students for more advanced clay construction and functional ceramic design.