Classes & Workshops

DATE NIGHT AT PETALUMA POTTERY

Ages: 18+up
Instructors: Kelly Brothers | Forrest Middelton | Lara Birchler | Lily Hourigan | Heather Fordham
Cost: $110 - Covers TWO People
Skill Level: All levels, great for beginners.

UPCOMING DATES: October 4, 18, 25 & November 1 from 6:00-8:00 (Sold Out)

Clay is more fun in pairs! Want to learn the basics of making pottery on the wheel with your best friend, a date, your mom? Join us at Petaluma Pottery for a night of wheel throwing and fun. Sign up fees include clay, use of tools, glaze, and firing of 1-2 pieces. Arrive ready to get dirty wearing clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting clay on. Bring your own apron.

What to Expect
Our instructor will give a demo and then help you create your own pot on the wheel. Let yourself be a beginner or dust off those old skills, all skill levels are welcome. We can’t guarantee a masterpiece on your first try but rest assured you’ll have fun with a friend whether you end up with an ash tray or the holy grail. After your class your work will be glazed, fired, and ready for pick up within 2-4 weeks.

one AFTERNOON / ONE night on the wheel

Instructors: Kelly Brothers | Forrest Middelton | Lara Birchler | Heather Fordham | Lily Hourigan
Cost: $54
Skill Level: All levels, great for beginners.
Ages: 12+up
UPCOMING DATES: October 4 from 3:00-5:00.
October 11 from 1:00-3:00pm

CLASS DESCRIPTION
Want to learn the basics of making pottery on the wheel but not ready to commit to a multi-week class? Sign up on your own or with a friend and join us at Petaluma Pottery for a night of fun and wheel throwing. Sign up fees include clay, use of tools, glaze, and firing of 2 pieces. Arrive ready to get dirty wearing clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting clay on. Bring your own apron.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Our instructor will give a demo and then help you create your own pot on the wheel. Let yourself be a beginner or dust off those old skills, all skill levels are welcome. We can’t guarantee a masterpiece on your first try but rest assured you’ll have fun whether you end up with an ash tray or the holy grail. After your class your work will be glazed, fired, and ready for pick up on average between 2-3 weeks.

ONE NIGHT OF HANDBUILDING

Ages: 12+ up
Instructor: Stephanie LeBaudour
Cost: $54
Skill Level: All levels, great for beginners.
Date: October 10, November 15 from 6:00-8:-00pm

Want to learn the basics of handbuilding pottery? Join us at Petaluma Pottery for a night of light hearted handbuilding projects. In this one night class you will make one small trinket dish using pinching techniques and one mug using slab building techniques. Sign up fees include clay, tools for your use, glaze, and firing of 1 mug and 1 trinket dish. If you make more than 2 pieces you will pick your favorite 2 only for firing. Arrive ready to get dirty wearing clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting clay on. Bring your own apron.

What to Expect
Our instructor will give a demo and then help you create your own projects. Let yourself be a beginner or dust off those old skills, all skill levels are welcome. After your class your work will be glazed (using the glaze you choose at the end of class), fired, and ready for pick up within a few weeks.

handbuilt ghosts + pumpkins

Ages: 10+up
Instructor: Stephanie LeBaudour
When: Saturday, October 4 from 12:00pm-2:30pm
Skill Level: All Levels - Great for beginners!

CLASS DESCRIPTION
Get in the Halloween spirit with this one day Ghosts + Pumpkins workshop at our community studio! Students will learn slab building techniques as well as pinch techniques to create one ghost and one pumpkin during this 2.5 hour class. Decorating and attachment techniques will also be covered. At the end of class you will choose the glaze of your choice and all pieces will be glaze and fired by our staff once they are dry for pick up in time for Halloween! This class is hands on, come ready to get your hands dirty and make work! Bring your own apron if you’d like one.

What to Expect
Your instructor will give a demo and then help you create your own halloween pieces! After your class your work will be glazed, fired, and ready for pick up within a few weeks using the glazes you choose during your class. Class comes with clay, instruction, and use of tools. This course is hands on, come ready to make work.

Surface Techniques : One day class

Ages: 16+ up
Instructor: Kelly Brothers
Cost: $68
Date: October 25 from 2:00-4:30
Skill Level: All levels.

In this afternoon class students will learn 3 different surface decorating techniques that will help inform their work outside of class. Students will see demos and then get to practice sgraffito, inlay, and image transfer processes. Each participant will be provided with two tiles per technique - one for practice and one to make a more “finished” piece with each technique. This class is great for members and repeat students who are looking for a deeper dive into decorating their wheel thrown or handbuilt pieces. Class will also start with a short slideshow showing inspiration photos from each technique.

What to Expect
Our instructor will give demos and show images for each technique and then help you practice! Let yourself be a beginner or dust off those old skills, all skill levels are welcome. After your class your three “finished” tiles will be fired for you and ready for pick up within a few weeks.

baskets, trays, and ewers : One day workshop with visiting artist josh scott

Instructor: Josh Scott
Cost: $105
Date: November 8 from 9:00am-3:00pm
Skill Level: All levels

Join us for this exciting workshop with master potter Josh Scott who will be teaching a 1 day demonstration style workshop at Petaluma Pottery. This day of demonstrations will primarily focus on Josh’s recent explorations into the ewer, basket, and tray forms that he has gained notoriety for within the ceramics community. He will share techniques that include both wheel throwing and handbuilding, and making handles and spouts while having conversations about function, history, and intention within the dynamic vessel.
The majority of Josh’s work is primarily reduction cooled in a woodfired train kiln. He will share conversations about his experience firing the train and other wood kilns both in his home state of Florida, and as a student of John Neely and Dan Murphy at Utah State University. 

Josh (along with our own Forrest Middelton) is part of “In Loving Memory” an exhibition curated for Trax Gallery by the late John Neely that focuses on reduction cooled ceramics. This incredible exhibition opens at Trax Gallery in Berkeley November 8th, the night of this workshop. Following the workshop students are welcome to attend the opening at Trax on 5th Street in Berkeley for the opening night reception and conversation with artists who knew, loved, and learned from Neely.

Artist Bio: Josh Scott received his BFA from the University of North Florida in 2017 and went on to obtain an MFA in Ceramics from Utah State University in 2021. During his time in graduate school Josh focused on developing a unique body of work that blends complex forms and material choices seamlessly with the reduction-cooled, woodfired process and is indicative of the Utah State aesthetic. Currently, Josh lives and makes work in Northeastern Florida.

handbuilt luminaries

Ages: 10+up
Instructor: Stephanie LeBaudour
When: Saturday, November 15 from 3:00pm-5:00pm
Cost: $52

CLASS DESCRIPTION
Join us at our community studio for an afternoon of making your own handbuilt luminaries. Students will learn slab building and piercing techniques as the primary construction method for making their own luminaries along with demonstrations about stamping and decorating. Sign up fee includes enough clay to make two luminaries, use of tools, instruction, glaze, and firing of up to 2 pieces. Arrive ready to get dirty wearing clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting clay on or bring your own apron.

What to Expect
Your instructor will give a demo and then help you create your own planters. Let yourself be a beginner or dust off those old skills, all skill levels are welcome. After your class your work will be glazed, fired, and ready for pick up within a few weeks using the glazes you choose during your class. Ages 10-12 should plan to sign up for class with an adult.

Wheel throwing level 1 : 8 Week class

When: Monday mornings from 9:30am-12:30pm. 8 Weeks beginning October 13 and ending December 1.
Instructor: Kelly Brothers
Ages: 18+up
Cost: $310
Skill Level: All levels, great for beginners. Many students will take Level 1 multiple times to continue making and build up their skill level before taking level 2.

CLASS DESCRIPTION
Learn the skills necessary to make handmade, functional ceramics. In this beginner level class (great for first timers or those who haven’t thrown in years) students learn step by step how to throw successfully from start to finish primarily focusing on smaller cups, mugs, bowls, and plates. Each class will begin with an in depth wheel demonstration highlighting various pitfalls, solutions, and proper body mechanics. As students practice, they will receive one-on-one guidance and correction at the wheel. We will learn methods for centering, trimming, techniques for handles, and basic surface and glazing techniques. Your instructor will work with each individual to progress their skills based on their skill level. This class is hands on. Come prepared to get dirty and make work!

LOGISTICS
Class fee includes 20 lbs of our in-house clay and firing. You can purchase additional clay if you end up wanting more. You will need a basic tool kit which you can either purchase from our online store or on the first day of class. You are also welcome to bring your own tools! Your class comes with 8 hours of open studio time to come in and practice what you are learning in class. More details about open studio times and logistics during the first week of class.

Handbuilding level 1 : 8 week class

When: Monday evenings from 6:00pm-9:00pm. 8 Weeks beginning October 13 and ending December 1.
Ages: 18+up
Instructor: Stephanie LeBaudour
Cost: $310
Skill Level: All levels, great for beginners. Many students will take Level 1 multiple times to continue making and build up their skill level before taking level 2.

CLASS DESCRIPTION
In this class you will learn a wide array of hand building techniques that can be used for both functional or sculptural applications depending on your interests! Your instructor will demonstrate pinching, slab building with both hard and soft slabs, and coil building. Students will also learn stamping, decorating, and glazing techniques. Every class will begin with a hand-building or surface demonstration. This class is hands on! Come prepared to get dirty and make work.

LOGISTICS
Class fee includes 20 lbs of our in-house clay and firing. You can purchase additional clay if you end up wanting more. You will need a basic tool kit which you can either purchase from our online store or on the first day of class. You are also welcome to bring your own tools! Your class comes with 8 hours of open studio time to come in and practice what you are learning in class. More details about open studio times and logistics during the first week of class.

handbuilding FOR THE TABLE : ALL LEVELS : 8 Week class

When: Tuesday mornings from 9:30am-12:30pm. 8 Weeks beginning October 14 and ending December 2.
Ages: 18+up
Cost: $310
Instructor: Stephanie LeBaudour
Skill Level: All levels, great for beginners and intermediate students.

CLASS DESCRIPTION
We love offering Handbuilding for the Table in advance of the holidays to help you create dishes, vessels, and one of a kind pieces for your table. You will learn slab, pinch, and coil techniques each week as you move through a variety of forms and vessels. Your instructor Stephanie will talk with the class on the first day about what demos students are interested in. Choose from projects such as butter dishes, trays, platters, pitchers, etc. Focus on one or two forms or try them all. Some basic decorating techniques will also be covered as well as glazing. Each class is 3 hours, your teacher will give instruction at the beginning of each class and then be available throughout the rest of the work time to answer questions.

LOGISTICS
Class fee includes 20 lbs of our in-house clay and firing. You can purchase additional clay if you end up wanting more. Bring your own tools or buy a kit from our shop prior to class! Your class comes with 8 hours of open studio time. More details about open studio times and logistics during the first week of class.

Wheel Throwing Level 1 : 8 WEEK CLASS

When: Tuesday evenings from 6:00pm-9:00pm. 8 Weeks beginning October 14 and ending December 2.
Instructor: Joe Farnham
Ages: 18+up
Cost: $310
Skill Level: Beginner Level. Many students will take Level 1 multiple times to continue throwing and build up their skill level before taking Level 2.

CLASS DESCRIPTION
Learn the skills necessary to make handmade, functional ceramics or build on your past wheel throwing knowledge. In this class students learn step by step how to throw successfully from start to finish. Each class will begin with an in depth wheel demonstration highlighting various pitfalls, solutions, and proper body mechanics. As students practice, they will receive one-on-one guidance and correction at the wheel. We will discuss methods for trimming, techniques for handles, and of course glazing! This class it is for all levels and Joe will work with each individual to progress their skills based on their experience and current skill level. This class is hands on. Come prepared to get dirty and make work!

LOGISTICS
Class fee includes 20 lbs of our in-house clay and firing. You can purchase additional clay if you end up wanting more. You will need a basic tool kit which you can either purchase from our online store or on the first day of class. You are also welcome to bring your own tools! Your class comes with 8 hours of open studio time to come in and practice what you are learning in class. More details about open studio times and logistics during the first week of class.

Wheel throwing Level 1 : 8 Week class

When: Wednesday evenings from 6:00pm-9:00pm. 8 Weeks beginning October 15 and ending December 3.
Instructor: Heather Fordham
Ages: 18+up
Cost: $310
Skill Level: Beginner Level. Many students will take Level 1 multiple times to continue throwing and build up their skill level before taking level 2.

CLASS DESCRIPTION
Learn the skills necessary to make handmade, functional ceramics. In this beginner level class (great for first timers or those who haven’t thrown in years) students learn step by step how to throw successfully from start to finish primarily focusing on smaller cups, mugs, bowls, and plates. Each class will begin with an in depth wheel demonstration highlighting various pitfalls, solutions, and proper body mechanics. As students practice, they will receive one-on-one guidance and correction at the wheel. We will learn methods for centering, trimming, techniques for handles, and basic surface and glazing techniques. Your instructor will work with each individual to progress their skills based on their skill level. This class is hands on. Come prepared to get dirty and make work!

LOGISTICS
Class fee includes 20 lbs of our in-house clay and firing. You can purchase additional clay if you end up wanting more. You will need a basic tool kit which you can either purchase from our online store or on the first day of class. You are also welcome to bring your own tools! Your class comes with 8 hours of open studio time to come in and practice what you are learning in class. More details about open studio times and logistics during the first week of class.

handbuilding independent study : 8 week class

When: Thursday mornings from 9:30 am-12:30 pm. 8 weeks beginning October 16 and ending December 11. There is not class on Thanksgiving.
Instructor: Stephanie LeBaudour
Ages: 18+up
Cost: $296
Skill Level: Level 2, some previous handbuilding experience is required. Great for sculptors as well as those making functional pieces.

CLASS DESCRIPTION
Mentor lead independent study is a great option for those looking to pursue their own projects with an instructor available for a little hand holding, questions and guidance, and critique or feedback as requested. We hope that this class will foster community development, and shared knowledge and interdisciplinary crossover. Instead of each class having a formal demonstration yours instructors will offer demos and hands on guidance upon request. This class will be taught by Stephanie and comes with 8 hours of open studio time to continue work on your projects outside of class.

LOGISTICS
This class does not come with clay, you can purchase clay from us on the first day of class. You will need a basic tool kit which you can either purchase from our online store or on the first day of class. You are also welcome to bring your own tools! Your class comes with 8 hours of open studio time to come in and practice what you are learning in class. More details about open studio times and logistics during the first week of class.

Wheel throwing level 1 : 8 week class

When: Thursday evenings from 6:00pm-9:00pm. 8 weeks beginning October 16 and ending December 11. There is no class on Thanksgiving.
Instructor: Kelly Brothers
Ages: 18+up
Cost: $310
Skill Level | Pre-requisites : Beginner Level. Many students will take Level 1 multiple times to continue throwing and build up their skill level before taking level 2.

CLASS DESCRIPTION
Learn the skills necessary to make handmade, functional ceramics or build on your past wheel throwing knowledge. In this class students learn step by step how to throw successfully from start to finish. Each class will begin with an in depth wheel demonstration highlighting various pitfalls, solutions, and proper body mechanics. As students practice, they will receive one-on-one guidance and correction at the wheel. We will discuss methods for trimming, techniques for handles, and of course glazing! This class is all levels and Kelly will work with each individual to progress their skills based on their experience and current skill level. This class is hands on. Come prepared to get dirty and make work!

LOGISTICS
Class fee includes 20 lbs of our in-house clay and firing. You can purchase additional clay if you end up wanting more. You will need a basic tool kit which you can either purchase from our online store or on the first day of class. You are also welcome to bring your own tools! Your class comes with 8 hours of open studio time to come in and practice what you are learning in class. More details about open studio times and logistics during the first week of class.

Level 2 wheel throwing : 8 week class

When: Sunday mornings from 9:30am-12:30pm. 8 Weeks beginning October 19 ending December 7.
Instructor: Kelly Brothers
Ages: 18+up
Cost: $310
Skill Level | Pre-requisites : Level 2. Must be able to confidently center 2 lbs of clay. Must have taken a multi-week wheel throwing class at our studio or elsewhere.

CLASS DESCRIPTION
Build on your wheel throwing skills in this 8 week Level 2 class. Each class will begin with an in depth wheel demonstration highlighting various pitfalls, solutions, and proper body mechanics. As students practice, they will receive one-on-one guidance and correction at the wheel. We will also discuss methods for trimming, techniques for handles, and glazing and decorating! This class is for level 2 students and Kelly will work with each individual to progress their skills based on their experience and current skill level. This class is hands on. Come prepared to get dirty and make work!

LOGISTICS
This class does not come with clay, you can purchase clay from us on the first day of class. You will need a basic tool kit which you can either purchase from our online store or on the first day of class. You are also welcome to bring your own tools! Your class comes with 8 hours of open studio time to come in and continue working on your projects or practice. More details about open studio times and logistics during the first week of class.

Forrest Lesch-Middelton founded FLM Ceramics and Tile, where he manages a small team making handmade pottery and tile in Petaluma, CA. In 2018 Forrest founded Petaluma Pottery with his wife Beth Schaible! He has a B.F.A. from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University and an M.F.A. in Ceramics from Utah State University. He has taught at Sonoma State University, Diablo Valley College, Santa Rosa Junior College, and Utah State University. He also lectures and teaches workshops at universities and art centers across the country.
In 2014 Forrest was named the Ceramic Artist of the Year by Ceramics Monthly, and in 2017 he was a McKnight Fellow at the Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis, MN.
www.flmceramics.com

Stephanie LeBaudour is a ceramicist living in Petaluma, CA. She received her BFA with an emphasis in Sculpture and Ceramics from San Francisco State University. After graduating she participated in the post bachelors’ program with the ceramics department at SF State and taught art and ceramics classes for children in Marin County. Originally from Ohio, Stephanie fell in love with working with clay and painting as a child and is continuing to develop a body of work exploring the relationship between form and surface.
www.instagram.com/stephanielebaudour_ceramics

Heather Fordham has been pottering around with clay since high school. She holds a BA in art history from Mills College and a MA in museum studies from John F. Kennedy University. Through her time working in museums over the past twenty years, she has cared for and studied the work of prominent local and international ceramicists. In her own work, she prioritizes form over decoration and strives to make silhouettes that are both strong and delicate. She creates her pottery in her home studio in Petaluma, has been profiled in Sonoma Magazine and you may dine off her work at Table Culture Provisions.
www.instagram.com/heatherfordhamceramics

Kelly Brothers is a Petaluma local with a long time love for craft and fine arts. Self-taught in photography, she has spent over a decade behind the lenses of her digital and 35mm film cameras capturing portraits and moments both professionally and as a hobby. After starting on the wheel at Petaluma Pottery under current and former instructors, she became the apprentice at FLM Tile & Ceramics in March of 2020 where she continues to work with Forrest Lesch-Middelton in his tile studio and at Petaluma Pottery. During her time as an apprentice she has developed her body of wheel-thrown functional wares, incorporating her passion for political and environmental justice into the surface designs of her pots.
kellybrotherspottery.com

Lara Birchler is a multimedia artist, amateur naturalist, and professional educator. Lara has a BA from UC Santa Cruz (Fine Art), a CA Single Subject (Art) Teaching Credential from Cal State Long Beach, and 15 years of experience teaching Ceramics and other art courses in public high schools. She recently spent 3 years studying nature-based curriculum at the Weaving Earth Center for Relational Education. Now Lara devotes most of her time to working in the studio, learning from the wild world, and serving as a nature-connection and creativity mentor for kids. Though she has explored many different mediums since childhood, Lara’s path keeps bringing her back to clay. She treasures the satisfaction of making things that support people (plus other beings like birds and plants!) to be nourished and delighted. Lara moved to Sonoma Co. not long ago, and is very grateful to be a part of the Petaluma Pottery community.
www.instagram.com/larabirchler

Lily Hourigan is a multifaceted artist. She has enjoyed working with different mediums including paint, fabrics, tile, and (of course) clay. She has a BS in Industrial Design with a Minor in Labor Studies from San Francisco State University. Lily first experienced community through art at ArtStart in Santa Rosa where she lead groups of teens in creating public murals and mosaics. Since then, she joined the local clay studio in Arcata, CA where she explored the serenity and frustration of throwing pottery. She is now back in her hometown — Petaluma — where she is grateful to be part of the Petaluma Pottery community. Her pieces focus on both functionality and surface design. 
lily005.wixsite.com/lilyhourigan

Joe Farnham is a ceramicist living in Rohnert Park. He works in ceramic manufacturing in the Bay Area. Joe graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.S. in Business Marketing and a B.A. in Ceramics. He began his exploration of ceramics in high school, but truly fell in love with the art while taking a class with Forrest at the Santa Rosa Junior College. Joe previously worked out of Red Brick Studios in San Francisco, before moving to Sonoma County and building his own home studio. He has two daughters, and a cat named Peanut Marshmallow, who keep him very busy. When he is not working, playing with his children, or creating in his studio, Joe loves to play golf. Joe’s personal work focuses on wheel throwing with porcelain and high grog clay bodies. He loves to study the relationship between form and function, including how glazes can play a part in dictating how the piece can be used.
www.instagram.com/joethrows