Course Overview

This course is designed to teach the fundamentals of working with clay on the potter’s wheel—no prior experience is necessary. Students will be introduced to basic throwing shapes, as well as the follow-up steps of trimming, handle making, and glazing.

Classes meet once a week for 2.5 hours in the AMOCA Ceramics Studio for six weeks (15 hours of total instruction), and are limited in size to twelve students. Access to open studio hours is included for the duration of the class and one week following.

Studio classes are for adults ages 18 and over (students 16+ may attend classes when accompanied by a paying adult).

Week 1: Introduction to working at the AMOCA Ceramics Studio and throwing on the wheel
Week 2: Introduction to the terminology and protocols of throwing
Week 3: Introduction to basic trimming and throwing techniques
Week 4: Introduction to basic forms and shapes (bowls and vases)
Week 5: Introduction to glazing
Week 6: Introduction to basic glazing techniques and final review

Course Policies

Refunds are not allowed after the course begins. Refunds requested during the week prior to the start of the class will be honored at 50%. Refunds requested prior to this will be honored minus Humanitix fees. If you would like to request a refund, email studio@amoca.org.

Studio classes are for adults ages 18 and over (students 16+ may attend classes when accompanied by a paying adult).

AMOCA follows current Los Angeles County COVID guidelines. We encourage you to keep up to date on vaccines, wear a mask if you'd like to, and stay healthy!

Your Instructor: Bianca Ramirez

Bianca Elena Ramirez is a ceramic artist and educator whose work explores identity, community, and her experiences as an Angelena. Her clay journey began in 2016 at Riverside City College and carried on at the University of California, Berkeley where she earned a BA in Art Practice. Bianca began working with AMOCA in 2023 and is a continuing teaching artist for their Teen Program. She has collaborated with local businesses, creating community-focused ceramic works for coffee shops in Los Angeles that reflect the spirit and residents of Boyle Heights. She remains active in selling and showcasing her works throughout California.

Studio etiquette

Open studio:

Students are encouraged to come in on their own time to work on their projects during Open Studio hours (posted online and in the classroom). Entry to studio outside of Open Studio hours will be disabled via entry system.

Studio Artists:

Our Studio Artists and Artists in Residence occupy private spaces. Please be respectful of their personal space and please do not interrupt them while they are working.

Cleaning:

Please be sure to clean up the area you are working in, including:

Handbuilding tables - wipe down after use

Slab roller - always use canvas

Glaze area - wipe down any spills, countertops, and buckets

Studio tools - clean before putting back in drawer

Noise:

All cell phone conversations are to be taken outside. When listening to music or podcasts please only use headphones! It is important to not assume others want to listen to your tunes.

Storage:

There is shelving provided for each class in the classroom. This can be used for the duration of the class; however, once class is over these shelves must be cleared. Anything left behind after the two week grace period concludes will be assumed abandoned and then discarded.

Clay:

All clay must be purchased through our studio; no outside clay will be fired. If there is a cone 10 clay body you like from Laguna Clay that we don’t have in stock please let us know and we can order some for you.