This five session course will start you on your journey to becoming a potter. You will learn clay preparation, tools, centering clay, opening a vessel, control of the clay on the wheel, and basic finishing of your piece. This course will reinforce these basic skills with the aim to throw a perfect cylinder, which is the beginning of most wheel projects. A maximum of 5 pieces will be saved and fired. Good studio practices and a solid technique will give you the confidence to come in and practice throwing independently. This class is a prerequisite for Clay 2, which is followed by Clay 3. DATES & TIMES THurs Oct 24th 5:30pm to 8:30pm SAT Oct 26th 9:30am to 12:30pm THURS Oct 31st 5:30pm to 8:30pm SAT Nov 2nd 9:30am to 12:30pm There will be a hiatus between classes 4 and 5 for bisque firing. The last class will be a glazing session. If you miss the glaze class, the instructor will glaze your work for you. We are unable to accommodate makeup dates for missed sessions. SAT Nov 16th 9:30am to 12:30pm YOUR TUTOR Michelle Minke. Michelle has been making pottery for many years, beginning at Seneca College, Toronto, and including classes in Yellowknife, Alberta, and Haliburton. She has been teaching high school at Bruce Peninsula District School most of her career. She is pleased to share her love of pottery at the Georgian Bay School of the Arts. WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING Wear clothes to get messy in Closed toed shoes Long hair tied back ACCESSIBILITY Hand strength and coordination required Ability to sit for the duration of the class