Join Black Hound Clay Studio's exclusive kiln workshop to master electric firing techniques. Perfect for pottery enthusiasts aiming to elevate their craft, this session offers hands-on learning and expert insights.
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Difficulty
moderate
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
No special fitness required, but familiarity with pottery tools helps.
Wildlife
History
Black Hound Clay Studio has been part of Portland's creative community since its founding, supporting local artists of all levels.
Conservation
The studio emphasizes sustainable practices, including recycling clay and reducing kiln emissions.
Black Hound Clay Studio West
Join Black Hound Clay Studio's exclusive kiln workshop to master electric firing techniques. Perfect for pottery enthusiasts aiming to elevate their craft, this session offers hands-on learning and expert insights.
Black Hound Clay Studio West is a ceramics studio offering a broad schedule of pottery classes, workshops, open studio sessions, summer art camps, and members-only events. The studio presents structured multi-week series such as Wheelthrowing 101 and Wheelthrowing 102, short-format workshops like Make Your Own Holiday Mug and One Day Wheel Workshop, and skill-focused courses including Handbuilt Tableware for Beginners and Intermediate Handbuilding options.
Classes emphasize hands-on instruction in wheelthrowing, slab and coil handbuilding, surface decoration, glazing, and functional tableware. Several class listings note small, supportive settings and instructor-led guidance; named instructors appear in class descriptions, including Frankie Iadarola, Corinna Cowles, and Caroline Hayes-Charuk. The studio also runs open studio sessions for students, member-focused demos and refreshers (kiln, glaze, reclaim, slip, extruder), and bookable private workshops.
Seasonal programming includes Mid-Summer Open Studio Sessions and Black Hound West Summer Art Camp sessions scheduled for August 2025. Multiple offerings show waitlist status for popular time slots, indicating high demand. Membership-only entries provide additional hands-on opportunities and technical demos.
Black Hound Clay Studio West’s program mix supports beginners through intermediate students, offering repeatable class sequences and specialty workshops for makers seeking practical skills, creative play, and finished functional work. The studio lists explicit class names, waitlist entries, and member events to help prospective students find a right-fit experience.
Experiences Offered
38
Classes, workshops, camps, and member events
Members Events
6
Kiln, glaze, reclaim, slip, extruder demos
Summer Camps
2 (2025)
August 2025 camp sessions listed
Waitlist Entries
10
Several popular classes show waitlists
Search wheelthrowing, handbuilding, workshops, summer camps, and members sessions; reserve a spot or join waitlists for in-demand classes and private workshops.
Safety First
Always follow safety guidelines when working with kilns to prevent accidents.
Load Carefully
Distribute clay pieces evenly in the kiln for uniform firing results.
Ask Questions
Use Q&A time to clarify firing parameters and troubleshoot issues.
Prepare for Firing
Ensure your pieces are properly dried before firing to avoid damage.
Heat-resistant gloves
Protect your hands during kiln handling and loading.
Apron
Keep your clothes clean while working with clay and kiln materials.
Notebook and pen
Take notes on firing parameters and insights for future projects.
Ear protection
Reduce noise exposure during kiln firing or troubleshooting.