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.
Fall Session Dates: September 12th - November 19th, 2026
REGISTRATION:
Registration opens July 6th at 12:00pm for current participants
Registration opens to everyone July 8th at 12:00pm ( We will send a newsletter )Scholarships for session classes
🟠 Join a short or longer class with a fabulous instructor or work at your own pace through independent study. Ten-week classes include generous practice hours outside of class. One-day classes are a great way to see what clay is all about.
Projects are limited to 15” in any direction. We encourage students to attend every class whenever possible, as each session builds on the previous one and there are no make-up classes. If you do need to miss a class, you're welcome to use your practice time to reconnect with classmates, ask questions, and continue developing your skills.
💧 Clay Q&A is our online community hub for session-based classes. It's the best place to stay informed about kiln schedules, studio events, important deadlines, class resources, and community announcements. Students can also ask questions, share ideas, and connect with instructors and fellow clay makers throughout the session.
Typical 10 Week Session Outline:
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 – Build skills and create projects
Week 7-8 – Last weeks for wet clay, final bisque firings
Week 9 – Last week for glazing, final glaze firing
Week 10 – Wrap-up: potluck, review finished work, photos, sanding bottoms
Handbuilding Workshop: A Curious Collection
Dec 19th & 20th, 2026 - Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm
Instructor: Alanna DeRocchi
All Levels Welcome
Drawing from the long tradition of still life—objects arranged, observed, and loaded with meaning—this workshop invites participants to build contemporary still-life sculptures in clay, often centered around food and everyday items. Alanna will share approachable methods for constructing larger handbuilt forms, breaking down complex builds into manageable, confidence-building steps.
Handbuilding Workshop
Instructor: Sunshine Cobb
Dates: March 20th-21st, Two Full days of working with clay. 9:30am-4:30pm
Continuing Handbuilding
Join celebrated ceramic artist and author Sunshine Cobb for a weekend of handbuilding, creative exploration, and clay-filled inspiration. Drawing from both historical ceramic traditions and contemporary practice, Sunshine's work explores a variety of handbuilding approaches, encouraging students to discover fresh possibilities within their own creative process.
Studio Systems: Reclaim & Kiln Shelves
Instructor: Anika Major
Dates: Friday, October 16th, 6:00pm-9:00pm
All Levels Welcome
This workshop is designed for ceramic artists who want to better understand the behind-the-scenes systems that keep a ceramics studio running. Beyond making work, a functioning studio relies on clear processes for effieciency, safety, and maintenance.
Know Thy Kiln
Instructor: Anika Major
Dates: Saturday, Nov 14th, 2:00-5:00pm
All Levels Welcome
Learn to confidently operate your programmable Skutt kiln through a practical, studio-focused workshop led by Anika Major. This session is designed to demystify kiln function and give you the skills to run firings with more independence and fewer surprises.
Handbuild Higher!
Instructor: Laura Hoppenjans
Dates: Saturday, Jan 16th, 12:30pm-4:30pm & Sunday, Jan 17th, 9:30am-4:30pm
Continuing Handbuilding
Explore the expressive possibilities of color, pattern, and handbuilt form in this intermediate ceramics workshop with artist Laura Hoppenjans of Hop & Jans Studio. Known for her joyful use of color, graphic surfaces, and imaginative forms that move between functional and sculptural, Laura brings a process rooted in experimentation, intention, and bold visual language.
Wheel Throwing & Surface Focus: All Levels
Sept 12th-Nov 14th, Saturdays, 10:00am-1:00pm
Instructor: Alex Maldonado
All Levels Welcome
Join ceramic artist Alex Maldonado for an all-levels wheel throwing class focused on building strong fundamentals, refining technique, and developing your own creative voice. Beginning students will learn essential skills such as centering, pulling walls, trimming, and creating functional forms, while more experienced potters will receive individualized guidance on advancing their throwing practice and exploring more complex forms.
Wheel Throwing - Kiln to Kitchen:
Sept 14th-Nov 16th, Mondays, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Instructor: Alice Lee
All Levels Welcome
Bump up your throwing skills in this all-levels wheel-throwing class! Alice will share all her tips and tricks with you to throw a bit taller and throw a bit wider! Throw more and more! In addition, learn ways to accentuate your thrown pottery forms with carving and surface texture. There’s always more to learn. Stay curious!
Wheel Throwing & Soda Firing
Sept 15th-Nov 17th, Tuesdays, 11:00am-2:00pm
Instructor: Dax Joubert-Bousson
All Levels Welcome
Build a strong foundation in wheel throwing while getting a taste of the soda-firing experience. Drawing inspiration from Clary Illian's A Potter's Workshop, Dax guides students through the timeless principles of form, function, and craftsmanship. This all-levels class emphasizes thoughtful making, technical skill development, and a deeper understanding of what makes a pot successful, helping students build confidence through intentional practice and observation.
Handbuilding Vessels
Sept 15th-Nov 17th, 2026, Tuesdays, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Instructor: Laura Hoppenjans
All Levels Welcome
Explore the playful possibilities of color, pattern, and handbuilt form in this all-levels ceramics workshop with artist Laura Hoppenjans of Hop & Jans Studio. Laura’s work is known for its joyful use of color, graphic surfaces, and imaginative forms that blur the line between functional and sculptural ceramics. Drawing inspiration from her approach to making, participants will experiment with handbuilding techniques while exploring how color, surface design, and composition can transform a clay object into a vibrant personal statement.
Paper Clay Sculpture - Cabinet of Curiosities
Dates: Sept 16th-Nov 18th, Wednesdays, 10:00am-1:00pm
Instructor: Kyle Reynolds
Continuing Handbuilding
Create a sculptural animal or human bust that tells a story. Using paper clay, you'll build imaginative forms inspired by cabinets of curiosity, incorporating hidden compartments, secret drawers, and small treasures that invite discovery. Through handbuilding and sculpture techniques, you'll explore how clay can communicate narrative, mystery, and personal meaning. Some handbuilding experience is helpful.
Wheel Throwing - Tableware
Sept 16th-Nov 18th, Wednesdays, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Instructor: Brooke Felix
All Levels Welcome
This all-levels wheel throwing class focuses on creating handmade pots for the everyday ritual of setting the table. Through guided instruction and demonstrations, students will explore functional wheel-thrown forms designed for use—cups, bowls, plates, and serving pieces—while considering how these objects live together in a shared table setting.
Wheel Throwing & Historical Inspiration
Sept 17th-Nov 19th, Thursdays, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Instructor: James Lobb
Continuing Wheel Throwing
Where do ideas come from? Potters are part of a rich lineage of makers stretching back more than 10,000 years, and this class explores how the past can inform and energize your work today. Through weekly image presentations featuring prehistoric, historic, and contemporary ceramics, students will examine forms, surfaces, and techniques from across cultures and time periods, discovering new sources of inspiration for their own making.
Independent Study: 10-Weeks Summer 2026
Optional orientation | Sunday, Sept 12th at 5:00pm
Sept 12th-Nov 14th
Instructor: Self-directed
Intermediate-Advanced
RCC offers a fully equipped studio for independent makers to pursue their own ceramic work with no instruction, supported by shared facilities and community space. Best for: Experienced students who are comfortable working independently and want 10-weeks of studio access to develop personal projects.
Affiliate Membership
Monthly 24/7 studio access (ongoing)
Instructor: Self-directed
Intermediate-Advanced
Join a working studio community with 24/7 access to facilities for experienced ceramic artists and sculptors. Best for: Established makers who want ongoing, monthly, consistent, independent studio access and the flexibility of a long-term workspace.