Wheel Throwing Pottery Classes
All classes are 8 weeks long and open to ALL skill levels!
If you’re a beginner looking to create your very first pot on the wheel, or an old pro looking to broaden and develop your ceramics skills and find your own artistic style, this class is for you. We’ll explore functional forms such as bowls, mugs and lidded pieces. and concentrate on the basics of wheel throwing, trimming, surface treatments and glaze techniques.
Located convenient to Richmond, Chesterfield, and Powhatan, River City Clay offers structured multi-week courses, targeted workshops, and youth programs led by professional local artists. Discover our current class schedules below and secure your wheel today.
8-Week Core Pottery Courses
Dive deep into the craft with our flagship 8-week ceramics programs. Structured for every level of experience, these comprehensive courses cover everything from foundational wheel throwing basics to complex structural altering and advanced glaze treatments.
Includes: Professional studio guidance, a 25 lb bag of premium clay, all glaze materials, custom kiln firings, and complimentary access to scheduled open studio practice times.
Note: Additional clay, specialty glazes, and extra firings are available for purchase. Material pricing and studio guidelines will be thoroughly reviewed during our first class session.
Weekday
Morning Classes
MONDAYS
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Current Session:
June 22 - Aug 10
Join mid-session!
Prorated class fees available
THURSDAYS
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Current Session:
July 2 - Aug 20
Weekday
Afternoon Classes
WEDNESDAYS
1:00 - 3:30 PM
Current Session:
July 22 - Sept 9
TUESDAYS
• TEEN CLASS •
4:00 - 6:00 PM
Current Session:
June 9 - July 28
For Ages: 12-18
Join mid-session!
Prorated class fees available
Weekday
Evening Classes
MONDAYS
6:30 - 9:00 PM
Current Session:
June 22 - Aug 10
Join mid-session!
Prorated class fees available
TUESDAYS
6:30 - 9:00PM
Current Session:
June 9 - July 28
Join mid-session!
Prorated class fees available
WEDNESDAYS
6:30 - 9:00 PM
NEXT Session:
Aug 12 - Oct 15
THURSDAYS
6:30 - 9:00 PM
NEXT Session:
July 23 - Sept 10
Weekend Pottery Classes
SATURDAY MORNING
• TEEN CLASS •
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Current Session:
June 20 - Aug 15
For Ages: 11-15
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
4:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Current Session: Aug 2 - Sept 27
Upcoming Workshops:
DATE: Saturday, August 8, 2026
TIME: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Instructor: Leslie Messersmith
Looking to try something truly unique with your ceramic surfaces? We are so excited to host guest instructor Leslie Messersmith of Locust Hill Pottery for an in-depth workshop!
If you aren't familiar with Cuerda Seca ("dry cord"), it is a stunning, ancient surface decoration technique originating in the Middle East. By using a special wax resist to draw out intricate designs, you can pipe vibrant glazes into the sections without them bleeding together. It creates an incredible, crisp, raised-line effect on your pottery.
What’s Included:
All materials : Each student will also leave equipped with their personal set of Cuerda Seca applicator tools and bottles of special wax infused glazes.
All post-workshop firings