How do I join the class if it’s waitlisted?

Add your name to the waitlist on the booking page; the studio will email you if a spot opens and you can claim it promptly.

What does tuition include?

Tuition covers 25 pounds of clay, tools, glazes, firing, instruction, and one free open studio session; additional clay is available for purchase online.

Is there an age requirement?

Yes—students must be at least 16 years old to enroll in this evening series.

Is the studio accessible?

Yes—the West Philadelphia location is wheelchair accessible; contact West@blackhoundclay.com with specific access questions.

Can I buy more clay or supplies?

Yes—extra clay and studio supplies can be purchased through the studio’s website or directly from staff when available.

Will my pieces be finished by the end of the course?

Most students complete bisque and glazed pieces within the eight weeks; drying and firing schedules mean some items may be ready for pickup shortly after class ends.

West Philadelphia Handbuilding Course at Black Hound Clay

At 715 South 50th Street in West Philadelphia, Independent Projects - Handbuilding: Tuesday Evenings WAITLIST invites makers to trade screens for clay and spend eight focused weeks shaping functional ceramics. Taught by Corinna Cowles, this small-group handbuilding course runs Tuesdays, September 22 to November 10, 6–9 p.m., and holds just 12 students — a size that allows individualized instruction on coil, slab, and pinched construction as you design tableware or pursue a personal project. The studio emphasizes practical craft: tuition includes 25 pounds of clay, all tools, glazes, firing, and one free open studio session. Those details matter. You leave not with raw lumps but with kiln-fired objects ready for daily use. Wheel throwing is not the focus here; instead, handbuilding highlights texture, structural joinery, and surface finish techniques that suit makers interested in handmade plates, bowls, mugs, and sculptural table pieces. Black Hound Clay’s West Philadelphia space reads like a functioning workshop — wide communal tables, apron hooks, and natural light where it fits. Corinna’s guidance is the constant: she helps troubleshoot drying schedules, adjust proportions for balanced rims, and choose glazes that survive frequent use. The eight-week cadence also means you’ll learn to plan timelines for drying, bisque firing, glazing, and final firing into a production rhythm that translates into repeatable results at home. This offering is a waitlist for the evening series; joining the list does not guarantee a slot, but you’ll be contacted if space opens. The class accepts students 16 and up, is wheelchair accessible, and limits enrollment to 12 people—perfect for makers who want concentrated coaching without a crowded room. Why book this in Philadelphia? It’s a working-studio experience in a neighborhood where hands-on arts are part of daily life. Compared with drop-in workshops, an eight-week course at this address is about finishing a set of usable pieces and building a process: buying extra clay on demand, using studio glazes, and accessing an open studio session to refine form. Practical notes: bring an old towel and clothes you don’t mind splattering, expect three-hour sessions, and plan for at least one open-studio evening beyond class time. Email [email protected] for waitlist questions or check the booking page to see if spots have opened. Whether you want functional dinnerware or to explore form at a measured pace, this handbuilding class offers a workshop-scale, supportive way to make ceramics in West Philadelphia. Students typically complete multiple pieces — a set of plates, two to four bowls, and a mug or pitcher — and leave with firing notes and glazing recipes they can reproduce. Small class size creates a peer critique environment and chances to trade finishing tips. Plan to budget for additional clay if you pursue larger projects.