How do I get off the waitlist?

Sign up on the booking page; Black Hound will email you if a seat becomes available—joining the waitlist does not guarantee a spot.

What’s included in tuition?

Instruction, tools, glazes, firing and 25 pounds of clay are included; one free open-studio session is also included.

Can beginners take this class?

Yes—Wheelthrowing 101 is designed for beginners and focuses on core techniques with individualized coaching.

Is the studio accessible?

Yes, the listing indicates the studio is wheelchair accessible to participate in most aspects of the class.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age to enroll is 16.

Can I buy more clay if I need it?

Yes—additional clay can be purchased through Black Hound Studio’s website as noted on the listing.

Wheelthrowing 101 in West Philadelphia: Hands-On Pottery Evenings at Black Hound Studio | Workshop

Black Hound Studio sits on a quiet block at 715 South 50th Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offering an intimate eight-week Wheelthrowing 101 course on Sunday evenings. Taught by instructor Maggie Jones, this waitlist program opens the door to the tactile, mediated rhythm of the potter's wheel: centering, pulling, trimming and glazing tableware you can use every day. Each session runs 6–9 pm, and the class size is capped at ten students, creating room for close coaching, individualized feedback, and the slow, deliberate repetition that pottery demands.

Inside the studio you’ll find a row of electric wheels, benches lined with tools, and a kiln that marks the end of your piece’s transformation from soft clay to fired tableware. The course includes instruction, tools, glazes, firing, and 25 pounds of clay—enough material to experiment with bowls, mugs, and plates—plus one free open-studio session to practice between classes. Wheelthrowing 101 is wheelchair accessible, so students with mobility needs can participate in most aspects of the process.

The experience is both craft lesson and creative reset. Beginners leave with a handful of usable pieces and a vocabulary of technique: how to center the clay, trim a foot, coax uniform walls, and apply functional glazes. Beyond technique, the class plugs you into West Philadelphia’s living arts scene—an area with active community studios, gallery nights, and a practical, hands-on approach to making. For visitors, a class at Black Hound Studio is a way to slow down from tourist speed, take home a thing you made yourself, and meet locals who make and sell work in the city.

Practical details matter: this is a waitlist item—signing up does not guarantee a seat, and Black Hound will contact you if a spot opens. The minimum age is 16, and the small group format favors people who want focused coaching over a large workshop vibe. Wear sturdy, easy-to-wash clothes and closed-toe shoes; the studio provides tools and glazes, but bringing a personal apron can help you stay comfortable.

The studio smells faintly of wet clay and glaze, and the measured thump of wheels becomes a reliable background rhythm that helps students find a patient pace. If you have questions before signing up, email [email protected]; the listing notes additional clay can be purchased on their website and each enrollment includes one free open-studio session to practice between classes. Expect small-group instruction that accelerates progress without pressure and community connection.