Shelby Finkelstein Explores the Art of Wheel-Throwing

Have you ever watched someone work on a pottery wheel and found yourself fascinated by the process? Are you interested in what it would be like to make your own hand-thrown pottery? If you are curious about exploring a new art form, you may enjoy giving wheel-thrown pottery a try!

What is Wheel-Throwing?

Wheel-throwing is the technique of shaping ceramics using a pottery wheel. The wheel turns constantly, activated by an electric foot pedal, so that the clay rotates, allowing you to mold it with your own two hands into your desired shape.

What Is Wheel-Throwing Like?

Fortunately, clay is a flexible and forgiving medium. Clay can be kneaded and formed into almost anything you wish, and if mistakes are made, easily balled up and reworked.

Some people wonder what wheel-thrown pottery is like for a beginner. Is it easy? Is it hard? Does it cost a lot of money to take a class? I had all of these questions, too. That's why I decided to take a beginner wheel-throwing class to see for myself what it is like.

Where to Take Wheel-Thrown Pottery Classes

I attended Wheel-Throwing for Everyone at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. Taught by Richmond-based artist Christine Orr, this introductory three-hour, on-site class ($45 non-members, $40.50 members) instructed 12~ beginners on the basics of wheel-throwing and various other techniques, like trimming and surface decoration.

Class participants were taught via demonstration about the principles of the wheel-throwing process: centering, opening, pulling, shaping, and safely removing your object from the wheel. Once the basics were covered, participants were encouraged to explore the wheel on their own, with supportive guidance from Christine. At the end of the class, participants were able to choose up to two of their items to fire and finish pieces using food-safe glazes.

Here are some other local clay studios where you can learn wheel-throwing:

 

Unleash Your Creativity

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the class! I had no expectations going in as the only context I had of this art form was through movies like Ghost. Although there is a learning curve with how to properly mold the clay and operate the wheel, the class provided ample time to work through these new skills. By the end of class, I had made two bowls that I will soon pick up after they have been fired in the kiln and glazed.

I highly encourage you to explore a wheel-throwing class. Not only will you learn a new skill, but you will also get the chance to unplug from your devices and be present to create a unique piece of art with your bare hands!

 
 

To learn more about the over 250 adult, youth and family art classes that VisArts offers, visit their website at https://www.visarts.org/classes/.

Piper Lynch