Take Clay Classes in Portland at Georgies

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Discover the joy of working with clay while expressing your creativity — and maybe even making a few new friends along the way.

Georgies offers adult (18 and over) clay classes that focus on two core forming skills: throwing on the potter’s wheel and hand-building techniques. Watching an experienced potter makes it look effortless, but clay work is truly a blend of art and learned skill.

Our eight-week classes are designed for both beginning and continuing students. It’s common for beginners and returning students to share the same class, as it takes multiple sessions to develop the techniques needed to create fully finished, glazed pieces.

For many of our instructors and staff, clay has become a lifelong passion. There are endless ways to shape, decorate, and bring your ideas to life that explore form, texture, color, and design. An eight-week class is just a small step on your creative journey. You may not become a master potter or finish all your holiday gifts right away, but you’ll be well on your way to discovering something special.

Beginning Pottery Wheel Classes

Beginning wheel classes focus on the core skills of working on the potter’s wheel. You’ll learn how to center clay and control the spinning motion to raise the walls for mugs and open them outward to form bowls. You’ll also practice trimming — an essential step in refining your finished pieces. Glazing is introduced through a simple dipping process using a wide variety of Georgies Cone 6 glazes.

Beginning students can expect to complete several small (cereal-sized) bowls and one or two mugs, although perfection takes practice! Continuing students will build on these basics, gaining confidence and control while moving on to larger bowls and more complex cylindrical forms.

The more time you spend in open studio, the faster your skills will grow. Many students repeat classes to continue improving or because the schedule works well for them. Each wheel class is limited to 12 students, ensuring that everyone has their own wheel and plenty of instructor support.

Sign-up for classes must be done over the phone. Please call 503-283-1353 during regular business hours

IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT 8-WEEK COURSES
Ceramic bowl featuring a spiral design with glazes in earth tones, showcasing intricate detailing and a glossy finish. Ceramic cup featuring a glossy, multicolored glaze with subtle variations and a smooth finish, ideal for studio use. Two handcrafted stoneware mugs with a green glaze and textured base, showcasing clay crafting techniques and finishing. Dark blue speckled pottery jar with a rounded body and an open top, showcasing a glossy glaze typical of ceramic artistry.

Beginning Pottery Wheel Classes

Mondays 10am - 12pm

December 11 - December 20

With Debby Reynolds

$375

14 seats left!

Beginning Pottery Wheel Classes

Saturdays 10am - 12pm

December 11 - December 20

With Dave Ramsay

$12.68

8 seats left!

Ceramics Workshops

We offer different workshops throughout the year that are one to two days long, dependent on what is being taught – focusing on specialty techniques and enhancing skills. They are pop up classes that happen throughout the year so check back to see what’s been added.

All class fees are charged in full when you sign up and all fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. Pre-registration by phone is required (no online registration). Firing is NOT included in the class fees, unless otherwise noted. Custom firing is available – please ask us about it! Fees include pottery tools, brushes as listed, materials, and instruction, for the designated project.

IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT 8-WEEK COURSES

No upcoming classes scheduled at this time.

Electric Kiln Firing Class

Whether your kiln is new or used, computerized or manual, this class covers it all. Learn the essentials of firing — how to operate, maintain, and get the best results from your electric kiln. We’ll focus on firing clay, but questions about firing glass are always welcome.

Bring your notepad and your questions! The class includes a detailed reference booklet filled with firing information you can use long after the session ends. First class is free with a kiln purchase for you and one additional guest

Students must be 18 or older to attend.

Sign-up for classes must be done over the phone. Please call 503-283-1353 during regular business hours

IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT 8-WEEK COURSES

Electric Kiln Firing Class

Thursdays 9am - 12pm

December 20 - December 20

With Karen Wise

$35

12 seats left!

Handbuilding Pottery Classes

Handbuilding is a great way to begin your journey with clay. This class explores popular forming methods such as slab building, pinch pots, and coil construction. By shaping clay directly with your hands, you’ll learn the fundamentals of joining pieces together to create strong, cohesive forms.

Our handbuilding class welcomes both beginning and continuing students. Each session introduces specific techniques — like soft slab work — through hands-on projects that build the skills needed for that method. As your confidence grows, you’ll start bringing your own creative ideas to life. Basic glazing techniques are also introduced to help you complete your finished pieces.

Sign-up for classes must be done over the phone. Please call 503-283-1353 during regular business hours

IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT 8-WEEK COURSES
Ceramic teapot and two cups with a black and orange glaze, showcasing functional pottery design and glazing techniques. Ceramic teapot with a textured brown glaze and bamboo handle, showcasing handcrafted pottery design and artistry. Glazed green pottery jar with a lid, featuring intricate texture and vibrant glossy finish, ideal for decorative purposes.

Handbuilding Pottery Classes

Mondays 10am - 12pm

December 20 - December 20

With Dave Davison

$375

14 seats left!