Adult Pottery

COMO Pottery Class Info:

The COMO offers a vibrant array of adult pottery programs designed to inspire creativity, enhance skills, and foster a sense of community among participants. Our pottery classes cater to various skill levels, from beginners to seasoned potters, providing a welcoming environment for all. Participants will have the opportunity to learn techniques in ceramics, including wheel throwing, hand-building, and glazing, while creating unique, expressive works of art. Finished pottery pieces are available to pick up 1-2 weeks after the last class, between 9-1pm M-F, after which they will be donated.

Bench Time: Weekly bench time is included in adult pottery classes. Bench time is held on Wednesdays from 6 to 8pm and Saturdays from 1 to 3:30pm. Bench time is on a first-come basis. Bench time is not instructor-led. Bench time is a time for students to practice their skills in the studio.

Clay: New students are required to purchase a bag of clay ($32) upon registration of their first class.

  • INTRO TO POTTERY WITH EMMA
    Ages 16+,     Mondays, 5-7:30 p.m.
    January 5 – February 23
    *No class Jan. 19th (MLK Day) and Feb. 16 (President’s Day)
    April 6 – May 11
    June 1 – July 6

    In this six- week class, participants will explore throwing on the wheel, handbuilding and glazing as they learn and practice creating with clay. This class is open to all levels of experience, with special focus on beginner techniques, and projects can be catered to individuals’ needs and hopes.

    6-Week Session:
    Member: $215.00, Non-Member: $245.00

  • INTRO TO HANDBUILDING
    Ages 16+, Saturdays, 10 am-12:30 pm
    May 16 – June 13
    No Class June 6

    During this 4 week course we will be going over the three foundational techniques of handbuilding: coils, slabs, and pinch pots. Individuals will learn how to roll coils to form large vases, how to use templates to make repeated slab forms, and how pinch balls of clay into perfect pots. Please note that this is a handbuilding only course and we will not being using the potter’s wheel. Weekly bench time is included in the class.

    4-Week Session:
    Member: $145.00, Non-Member: $175.00

  • INDEPENDENT POTTERY
    Offered year-round, Independent Potters are selected capable potters who work on their own in the studio with access to the studio at a wider variety of times during the week and on weekends when classes aren’t in session. The COMO Pottery Studio is designed to engage and support both the student and experienced potter as hobbyists, not commercial production. As a nonprofit organization that subsidizes the operations of the studio in order to keep the art form of ceramics affordable and accessible to the community, production with the intent to sell outside of the COMO umbrella changes the independent potter’s hobbyist status to a licensed vendor. Licensed vendors who utilize the studio’s resources to generate wares for private sales are cost-prohibitive to the COMO making commercial production prohibited.
  • SIP ‘N’ SPIN POTTERY WORKSHOPS

Ages 21+

Bring your favorite wine or brew and sip through a professional wheel-throwing demo. Then, receive instruction on how to throw your own creation on the pottery wheel or by handbuilding. Clay and firing for three pieces included. Ages 21+ only.

Fridays, 6-8 p.m.

Click Date to Register: Dec 19 | Jan 9 | Jan 23 | Feb 6 | Feb 20 | Apr 3 | Apr 17
May 1 | May 15 | May 29 | Jun 26 | Jul 10 | Jul 24 | Aug 7 | Aug 21

Member: $63.00, Non-member: $70.00

  • MAKE A MUG WORKSHOPS

Ages 16+
Jealous of your friends with handmade mugs? Tired of store bought ones that everyone owns? Come join us for the COMO’s mug making workshop where you will be instructed on how to make your very own mug! You’ll learn all about working with slabs of clay, making handles, and decorating your mug to be completely your own. This class will be led by pottery instructor Emma Pons. Participants at the end of the session will have one mug in the size and glaze of their choice to be picked up 2-4 weeks after the workshop.

Saturdays, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Click Date to Register: Jan 3 | Feb 7 | Apr 4 | May 2 | Jun 6 | Aug 1

NEW! SEASONAL WORKSHOPS

  • REUSABLE “STICKY NOTE” FRIDGE TO-DO BOARD
    Ages 12+    , Saturday, January 10, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
    New year = new resolutions and daily goals! Join us in the COMO pottery studio to make your own reusable sticky note board to hang on your wall or stick to your fridge. Templates and examples will be provided, but each piece can be customized to suit how you like to make lists the most.
    Learn how to roll out the perfect slab of clay with instructor Emma Pons, then receive a guided demo on turning a simple rectangle of clay into the neatest to-do list that will actually get you excited to cross off your goals/chores- or even a grocery list! Pieces will then be fired and glazed by the instructor to be picked up 2-4 weeks after the workshop.
    Participants at the end of the session will have one “to-do” board that can be used with dry erase markers to be picked up 2-4 weeks after the workshop.

    Member: $32.00, Non-member: $35.00

  • SUPER BOWLS (CHIP & DIP BOWLS)
    Ages 16+, Sunday, January 25, 12-2:30 p.m.

    Getting excited for the Super Bowl? Football fans and chip enjoyers are all welcome in our Chip and Dip Bowl workshop in the COMO Pottery Studio! Recieve a guided demo by instructor Emma Pons on forming your own bowl out of draped slabs and attaching clay together to form your own bowl for your favorite chip and dip combo. Pick a single glaze or custom paint your chip and dip bowl to make it a truly custom piece of functional art! Pieces will then be fired and glazed by the instructor to be picked up 2-4 weeks after the workshop.

    Participants at the end of the session will have one custom chip and dip bowl to be picked up 2-4 weeks after the workshop.

    Member: $37.00, Non-member: $40.00

  • LOVE LETTER ENVELOPES
    Ages 12+, Saturday, January 31, 4-6 p.m.

    Create a lovely clay envelope that is as beautiful and long lasting as the love notes you hope to store to read again and again! Love deserves to be celebrated and what better way is there than to display them in a handmade clay envelope?! Join instructor Emma Pons in the COMO pottery studio as she walks you through rolling out clay and using templates to form the perfect place to store paper mementos like letters and ticket stubs (or perhaps a cuter space to place your spam mail) with all of the tools you need to customize your envelope to be as special as the letters you keep. Participants will have the choice of adding the ability to hang their piece on the wall or make the envelope to sit on any surface. Pieces will then be fired and glazed by the instructor to be picked up 2-4 weeks after the workshop.

    Participants at the end of the session will have one custom clay envelope and letter to be picked up 2-4 weeks after the workshop.

    Member: $32.00
    Non-member: $35.00

  • PAL-ENTINE’S DAY CHARM MAKING WORKSHOP
    Ages 12+, Friday, February 13, 6-8 p.m.

    Gather your favorite gals and pals for an evening of charm making in the COMO pottery studio! Make up to five charms out of clay just for you or to share with your friends to add to any necklace, bag, or bracelet for an extra pop of whimsy! Pieces will then be fired and glazed by the instructor to be picked up 2-4 weeks after the workshop. Lobster clasps will be attached to all charms by the instructor after firing.

    Participants at the end of the session will have one custom clay envelope and letter to be picked up 2-4 weeks after the workshop.

    Member: $32.00, Non-member: $35.00

  • VALENTINE’S DAY DATE NIGHT (AKA SIP ‘N’ SPIN)
    Ages 21+, Saturday, February 14, 4-6 p.m.

    Bring your favorite wine or brew and sip through a professional wheel-throwing demo with a loved one (doesn’t have to be a date!). Then, receive instruction on how to throw your own creation on the pottery wheel or by handbuilding. Clay and firing for three pieces included. Pottery will be fired and glazed by instructor and are available for pick up four weeks later. You will receive an email when your items are available for pickup! Items will be picked up from COMO Thrift located at 45 Cutler St. in Stonington, CT. Space is limited!

    Member: $63.00, Non-member: $70.00

  • BUTTER DISHES WORKSHOP
    Ages 16+, Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

    Create a custom butter dish to keep your butter soft and spreadable with an artsy flair. Learn how to turn slabs of clay into handmade butter dishes to keep your butter soft and protected on your counter. Instructor Emma Pons will teach you how to use a slab roller and attach pieces of clay for any full or half stick butter dish. Pieces will then be fired and glazed by the instructor to be picked up 2-4 weeks after the workshop.

    Member: $37.00
    Non-member: $40.00

  • TRAVEL CUPS WORKSHOP
    Ages 16+, Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

    Take your coffee or other beverages on the go with your own custom travel cup in this COMO Pottery workshop! Instructor Emma Pons will lead you through forming a custom travel cup that fits your style and personality. Make a travel cup as cool as the person carrying it (you!) Individuals will be making a slab-build travel cup that can to custom glazed and decorated to add a flair of whimsy. Pieces will then be fired and glazed by the instructor to be picked up 2-4 weeks after the workshop.

    Member: $37.00
    Non-member: $40.00

  • PLANTER LABELS WORKSHOP
    Ages 16+, Sunday, April 26, 12 – 2 p.m.

    April showers bring May flowers, so come join us in the COMO pottery studio to make your own set of planter label spikes! Roll out slabs and cut the perfect planter spikes to help you identify your starters with instructor Emma Pons. Individuals will be able to make 5 labels, each stamped with the plant name of your choice. Pieces will then be fired and glazed by the instructor to be picked up 2-4 weeks after the workshop.

    Member: $32.00
    Non-member: $35.00

  • MOTHER’S DAY PLANTER WORKSHOP
    Ages 16+, Sunday, May 10, 12 – 2 p.m.

    Spend your Mother’s Day in the COMO pottery studio with your child to collaborate on a sentimental planter made together for future plants to grow. Make a custom planter just for mom, with the love and creativeness of your child! Individuals and their child will work together to handbuild one 6x6in planter. Each planter can be custom designed and glazed from our fun collection of colors.

    *Each ticket is for a mother figure and “child” age 5+*

    Pieces will then be fired and glazed by the instructor to be picked up 2-4 weeks after the workshop.

    Member: $45.00
    Non-member: $50.00

  • PAINT PALETTES WORKSHOP
    Ages 16+, Sunday, June 14, 12 – 2 p.m.

    Forget boring palettes and make a custom paint palette as creative as you and your art! Spend a creative Sunday afternoon at the COMO pottery studio with instructor Emma Pons to make your own custom paint palette. Individuals will make one paint palette in the shape and style of their choosing. Pieces will then be fired and glazed by the instructor to be picked up 2-4 weeks after the workshop.

    Member: $45.00
    Non-member: $50.00

  • COCKTAIL CUPS WORKSHOP
    Ages 21+, Sunday, July 12, 12 – 2 p.m.

    Be the star of your summer nights with a custom pair of cocktail cups, perfect for any occasion! Spend a sunny Sunday in the COMO pottery studio to make a pair of cocktail glasses that are sure to impress at any summer gathering. Individuals will make two cocktail cups as a matching set with the choice of any studio glazes. Work with instructor Emma Pons to learn about making repeated shapes using templates and forming slabs of clay into functional cups. Pieces will then be fired and glazed by the instructor to be picked up 2-4 weeks after the workshop.

    Member: $63.00
    Non-member: $70.00