Pottery Classes in Chicago

Discover pottery classes with top-rated instructors in Chicago

Pottery classes in Chicago are the perfect way to start a new hobby or boost your current creative skills. Join professional potters and artists who will give step-by-step instructions on how to create stunning and useful works of art. Learn how to hand-form, slipcast or wheel-throw mugs, vases, plates and sculptures. You'll then add accents, fire and glaze your artwork. Classes are designed for all artistic levels. Book a variety of pottery classes today!

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Pottery classes in Chicago are the perfect way to start a new hobby or boost your current creative skills. Join professional potters and artists who will give step-by-step instructions on how to create stunning and useful works of art. Learn how to hand-form, slipcast or wheel-throw mugs, vases, plates and sculptures. You'll then add accents, fire and glaze your artwork. Classes are designed for all artistic levels. Book a variety of pottery classes today!

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Best Pottery Classes in Chicago

Located along the shores and parks of Lake Michigan, Chicago is a top spot for cultural attractions such as the Art Institute of Chicago, the National Museum of Mexican Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Any of these are wonderful ways to get inspired for pottery classes in Chicago. Take those urban aesthetics, sculpture parks and natural settings into the studio to create stunning works of art to display in your home or office.

Pottery classes in Chicago allow you to spend time with family, friends, family or co-workers while learning a new hobby or boosting current skills. Pottery sessions are an excellent idea for everything from date nights and team building experiences to birthday parties and gifts for friends.

Beginners interested in learning the art of pottery, or even experienced pottery enthusiasts, should look no further than these fun art classes. You’ll find a variety of fun and interactive ceramics sessions to inspire creativity.

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What is Pottery?

A vessel that holds something — such as mugs, vases and salad bowls — is considered pottery. By attending pottery classes in Chicago, you’ll learn how to make items like candle holders, pet dishes and hanging planters.

Difference Between Pottery and Ceramics

The terms ceramics and pottery can be confusing. While ceramics is the overall artistic medium, pottery is a category within the medium. Any object made from clay, porcelain, earthenware or stoneware is a ceramic. Pottery refers to a type of functional ceramic that holds something, like a coffee mug or a flower vase. 

Benefits of Attending Pottery Classes in Chicago

  • Relieve stress
  • Learn a new hobby
  • Enhance current pottery skills and artistic techniques
  • Increase happiness by spending time with friends and family
  • Connect with new people
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The Pottery Making Process

When taking classes, you’ll join an expert artist who will teach you a wide variety of techniques to shape, build and glaze a piece of pottery.

Wheel Throwing

Wheel throwing is when a traditional potter’s wheel is used to spin clay into shapes using your hands. The potter shapes wet clay and forms it as the wheel spins. The wheel can also be used to add decorative accents to pottery pieces. Other pottery techniques include hand building, slab and coil, pinching and slip casting.

Glazing

Glaze is the glossy coating, or paint, used on pottery pieces. This is one of the most fun parts of the pottery process. The glazing process seals the clay, which makes it waterproof and provides a tough exterior.

Firing

Firing happens twice in the pottery creation process. It has two names: bisque firing or glaze firing. Firing is when the pottery is placed in a kiln and allowed to sit at a high temperature. This makes it hard and “sets” the clay. Bisque firing is for eight to 10 hours. Glaze firing is for about 12 hours.

Bisque firing is performed after the clay is shaped for the first time, but before it’s glazed. It has to be completely dry before placing it in the kiln. This process turns the object into a “glasslike” piece called bisqueware. Next, an artist paints, known as glazing, the item. After this process, it’s placed back in the kiln for glaze firing. It’s now ready to go!

painting mugs in pottery classes in Chicago
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How long does it take to learn pottery?

Pottery is a fun hobby that can be expanded on and used as creative self-expression and stress relief. Practice and patience are two key elements involved in learning to make pottery. You may start with basic techniques like a pinch pot. This is simply a small pot made by forming and then “pinching” the clay to create a small vessel that can fit in the palm of your hand.

How much is a ceramics or pottery class?

Pottery and ceramics classes are available in price ranges from $70 to $100. Pottery classes in Chicago are led by experienced potters and artists. Classes last for about two hours. Learn step-by-step techniques for creating your own unique pieces of pottery to decorate your home or office.

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Pottery Classes in Chicago FAQs


Is pottery hard to learn?
Pottery is a rewarding and therapeutic hobby. It can be challenging to learn, but it is also a highly rewarding and enjoyable skill to develop. Like any craft, pottery requires practice and patience, and private pottery classes or pottery classes for beginners in Chicago are a great, fun way to get started.
What to make in pottery class?
Pottery classes offer an outlet for creativity, enabling you to produce distinctive shapes such as sculptures or vases, as well as practical items like candle holders, plant pots, and ceramic bowls. If you're new to pottery courses in Chicago, you'll probably commence with simpler projects such as bowls or mugs before advancing to more complex ones.
What is the worst thing to make in pottery class?
Fun pottery classes for beginners can make anything possible, even though some projects may demand more skill and time than others. As a novice, it’s best to start with basic designs and simple sculptures, as more intricate projects with multiple components may be difficult to master initially.
What to wear to a pottery class?
In pottery classes — particularly pottery for beginners — there is a chance that clay will get on your hands and clothing. Clay may not wash out of clothing easily, so it’s best to wear clothing that is not expensive or valuable to you. Likewise, avoid any long, loose sleeves or flowy clothing, and wear closed-toe shoes.
How much are pottery classes?
Pottery classes in Chicago can cost between $55 and $200 per person, depending on the length of the class and the lesson. Class packages can make it more cost-effective to take multiple classes, and group pottery classes for team building may have different prices than public classes.
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