Six-Week Handbuilding Pottery Class

Explore the creative world of pottery in this six-week, hands-on class! Learn the fundamentals of handbuilding with clay while creating functional and decorative pieces.

You’ll explore a variety of techniques, including pinching, coiling, and slab building, along with basic clay preparation, shaping, and finishing.

The class will also introduce you to the glazing process, including choosing glazes, applying them, and understanding how they transform your finished work.

Whether you’re new to pottery or looking to build your skills, this class offers a relaxed and supportive environment to learn, experiment, and create.

About the Instructor: Julia Allen

Julia Allen is a Wallowa County native whose passion for pottery began unexpectedly during a college ceramics class. What started as a way to earn a pass in an elective course quickly became a lifelong creative pursuit.

Years later, while living in Boise, Idaho, Julia returned to pottery, taking classes at a local studio. After completing three six-week courses, she had produced so many pieces that she was encouraged to move on to her own home studio.

In 2020, Julia and her husband, Troy, returned to Wallowa County. She continues to explore both handbuilding and wheel-throwing techniques and recently added a Raku kiln to her pottery collection.

Julia is passionate about helping others discover the joy of making art, especially those who may not consider themselves artistic.

I was never encouraged in my youth to explore art. I truly believed I did not have any artistic talent. When I took my first pottery class in college, it was pure joy. For those that feel they can’t do art because they think they lack the skill to draw or paint, I encourage a class in pottery. Let me show you, there is an artist somewhere in everyone. You just have to find your joyful medium!

— Julia Allen