RCC Clay classes, workshops, & more!
Read our registration policies, refunds, and other conditions before registering.
Clay classes require some physical strength. Consider a one-time event if you are uncertain of your ability to participate.
Winter Session Dates: Jan 3rd-March 19th
Spring Session Dates: Saturday, March 28th-June 4th, 2026
Scholarships for session classes
FAQ’s for Classes at RCC (Learn More)
Join a class with a fabulous instructor or work at your own pace through independent study. Our weekly sessional classes are open to anyone 15 and older, from complete beginners to those looking to expand their clay skills. Each session includes generous practice hours in our studio so you can reinforce what you learn.
Projects are limited to 15” in any direction. We encourage consistent attendance—sessions move quickly, and there are no make-up classes. However, you can always use your practice time to connect with classmates and instructors to build on what you have learned.
All participants use Clay Q&A, our online communication hub for kiln schedules, asking questions, studio events, deadlines, resources, and community Q&A.
Typical 11 Week Session Outline: (this shifts up for a 10-week session)
Week 1 – Meet your group, tour the studio, first demo, begin working with clay
Weeks 2–3 – Ongoing demos, project work, first bisque firing
Week 4 – Glazing demo
Week 5 – Glazing in class, continue projects, first glaze firing
Weeks 6–7 – Build skills and create projects
Week 8-9 – Last week for wet clay, final bisque
Week 10 – Last week for glazing, final glaze firing
Week 11 – Wrap-up: potluck, review finished work, photos, sanding bottoms
Is the class you want FULL? Add your name to the waitlist HERE
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Maker to Market: All Levels
Maker to Market: All Levels
With: Deb Schwartzkopf
March 31st-June 2nd, 2026
Tuesdays 9:00am-11:00am
$225 (does not include studio access, tools, clay, or sales tax)
$485 (includes studio access, but does not include tools clay, or sales tax)
Join this in-person seminar of fellow clay artists wanting to grow their ideas and embrace art-to-market possibilities! All levels are welcome. This class is all about business skills for artists!
This “Maker to Market” class will dive into a new topic each week! We will write a simple artist statement or refine the one you might already have. We will photograph artwork and talk about how to use images on social media or websites. The group will discuss ways to bring your art to market through fairs, galleries, online sales, and more. If you love “homework,” you could build a basic website on Squarespace with Deb’s guidance. The interests of the groups will set some topics. We will also take a side trip from our weekly meetings at Rain City Clay to visit Deb’s studio and discuss the essentials of setting up your own clay studio.
Join us in this foray into the “business of art” at whatever stage you are at. Plan on bringing a laptop to our class and having focused worktime on projects. Deb will suggest steps for your growth, no matter how far along you are in your path as an artist. ALL Levels Welcome!
All the materials presented in this group will be available online on the Clay Q&A for three months after the class is over. Deb will provide a recorded video of the lesson, lots of links, readings, resources, and more for those who want to delve deeply into our topics, are taking this class online, or maybe are traveling during the session.
Suggested Readings:
An Artist’s Guide. This is a great book.
How to prepare for the first class:
Before the first meeting download the Might Network App. RCC will invite you our group).
Bring rough drafts of your artist statement and bio (very rough drafts are A-OK).
Read from an Artists’s Guide on Artist Statements/ or read links on Clay Q&A regarding Artist Statements.
General Outline:
Week One: What are your goals - let’s talk about them and figure out some next steps (we will check in on these weekly)
Week Two: Tell Your Story! Developing an Artist Statement / Bio
Week Three: Websites - get one started or improve it!
Week Four: Ways to use social media
Week Five: Making a newsletter using MailChimp
Week Six: Class set topic/ Open to independent projects
Week Seven: Ways to sell work in person
Week Eight: Setting up a Clay Studio
Week Nine: Open to independent projects
Week Ten: Wrap up/ Potluck/ Class set topic
Bring to the BOA Seminar:
Personal Laptop
Phone
Note-taking materials
Clay Q&A App (hosted on Might Networks)
Mailchimp Account (Newsletter Projects)
Website (Deb will be most helpful if you have questions in Squarespace, but has some experience with WP & Weebly as well)
Willingness to dig in and follow through
At each meeting, we will check in on personal goals. These are set individually.
Each person will identify a project to work toward. Deb will help with ideas for steps forward, accountability, and networking.
Studio Access
$225 for the Weekly Seminar (does not include studio access, tools, clay, or sales tax)
$485 for the Weekly Seminar + 10 weeks of studio access and open studio (does not include tools, clay, or sales tax)
About Deb Schwartzkopf (she/her):
Deb is the founder of Rat City Studios & Rain City Clay. With a passion to engage and build community through clay, she uses her unique skill set to offer educational opportunities in her hometown of Seattle, WA. As a studio artist, she makes her own fabulous tableware that infuses life with purposeful beauty. Her adventurous spirit has taken her across the country and beyond to build a depth of experience, knowledge, and a supportive network.
Prepare for Class
Full information on how to prepare for classes is available on our Clay Q&A Platform (Links below).
Tools: Suggested tools are in the image on this class page.
Clay: Purchase clay separately through our communication platform (Links below)
Studio Access: Weekly Classes come with access to studio practice hours.
FAQ’s about classes: https://raincityclay.com/education-faq
RCC Communication Platform
Our studio communication platform, The Clay Q&A “Space”, is hosted on the Mighty Networks App.
Participation is required to take classes at RCC or have a membership at RCS.
Clay Q&A is essential to participants. It is where participants may:
Buy Clay
Schedule practice time
Learn about kiln deadlines/ kiln unloadings
Hear studio news & events
Learn more/ download the More about the Mighty Networks App, or text the Mighty Network App to your Phone.
This app can be used on a desktop or mobile device. This app is essential for purchasing clay during the session, scheduling practice hours, and keeping up to date with studio deadlines for kilns and finishing your art projects at RCC.
Studio Policies and Information
Registration Policies: Information on being prepared for class, refunds, and more.
Hold Harmless Agreement: View what you agree to when registering for a class.
Code of Conduct: Expectations of studio conduct for students, staff, and instructors, as well as ways to give feedback anonymously.