Form for Flame: Wheel & Hand Blend

Instructor: Anika Major
Dates: January 8th-March 19th, 2026
Time: Thursdays, 7:30pm-9:30pm
Fees: $485 (does not include tools, clay, or sales tax)

Ready to level up your clay skills and explore new surfaces? In this class for returning students, Anika will guide you through wheel throwing and handbuilding projects while introducing a variety of surface techniques—including slips, underglazes, and washes—that bring depth and vibrancy to your forms.

Anika’s approach blends precise wheel techniques with expressive handbuilding, giving you the tools to create both refined and playful work. Expand your skills by combining forms, altering thrown pieces, and building intentionally from the ground up.

As an optional bonus adventure, each student will receive a full share in the soda kiln—a 6" x 6" x 12" box of ceramics fired during week 11 at our sister studio, Rat City Studios. Soda firing is a dramatic process where soda ash is sprayed into the kiln at peak temperature, creating unpredictable and beautiful surfaces. Whether you choose the soda firing or stick with regular RCC firings, Anika will help you make the most of every stage of your work, sharing her passion for surface exploration throughout the session.

SODA FIRING TIMELINE
Final Wet Work date still applies to this class even though the soda firing is later in the session.
Glaze pots at our sister studio - Rat City Studios during designated hours.
November 19th - Staff will load the soda kiln,
November 20th - Fire the Soda kiln (come spray soda in during your last class).
November 24th - Pick up artwork Monday evening at 6pm at Rat City Studios. Enjoy seeing the results of the group.

Recommended for those with one or more throwing classes or be able to throw a 5” tall cylinder. You must be 15+ years of age to participate. This class is a great fit for those wanting to grow their skills with an instructor present to ask questions. There is a 15” maximum size, in any direction, when creating with clay at RCC.

Materials: Clay is $40 for new clay or at times we have recycled clay for sale for $20. This is a separate purchase from your class fee. Purchase clay ahead of time HERE.

Bring an apron, comfy clothes, a quart-sized container (like a yogurt container), and a beginner's set of tools to the first class.

Tool kits are available for purchase online or at Seattle Pottery Supply or Clay Art Center. Or here is another option on Amazon. The class fee includes all glazing materials, firings, and generous open-studio access for practice time.

About Anika Major (she/her):
Anika Major is the studio manager at Rain City Clay. She is a Texas-born ceramic artist, and graduated from the University of North Texas, receiving her BFA in ceramics and painting. She moved to Seattle in 2018, and has been teaching a variety of clay classes and managing operations at Rain City Clay. Anika maintains a full-time studio practice in Georgetown, where she creates functional pottery that blends her passions for clay and figure painting. She has been experimenting with soda firing at Rat City Studios within the last year, and enjoys gardening and quilting in her downtime!

Prepare for Class

• Full information on how to prepare for classes is available on our Clay Q&A Platform (Links below).

• Tools: These are included in Youth Classes

• Clay: These are included in Youth Classes

• Studio Access: Youth do not receive practice time outside of class at Rain City Clay

• FAQ’s about classes: https://raincityclay.com/education-faq
  

RCC Communication Platform

• Join Clay Q&A Here.

• 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.