Do I need prior experience to join?

No. Wheelthrowing 101 is designed for beginners; instructors provide step-by-step guidance and individualized feedback.

What is included in tuition?

Tuition covers all instruction, tools, glazes, firing and 25 pounds of clay per student, plus one free open-studio session.

How do payments and installment plans work?

Installment options are available for early registrants with scheduled charges; if you register late you may need to pay in full—details appear at checkout.

Is the studio wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The South location at 1701 Federal Street is wheelchair accessible; contact south@blackhoundclay.com with specific accessibility questions.

What happens to pieces after class?

Staff glaze and fire finished work; the studio will notify you when pieces are ready for pickup—bring a safe container for transport.

Can I buy more clay or open-studio time?

Yes. Additional clay is available for purchase and one open-studio session is included; more open-studio time can typically be purchased.

Wheelthrowing 101: Learn Pottery on the Wheel in South Philadelphia | Workshop

Black Hound Clay Studio South’s Wheelthrowing 101 transforms a weekday morning into a hands-on crash course in making functional ceramics. Located at 1701 Federal Street in South Philadelphia, the eight-week Wednesday series (June 3–July 22, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.) walks students from wet clay to finished glazed pieces under the direction of instructor Sara Gallo. The back classroom is set up with dedicated potter’s wheels, a commercial kiln, a full complement of trimming tools and glazes, and a clean, accessible layout that supports one-on-one coaching in a group limited to 12 students.

This is a beginner-first class: no prior experience required, minimum age 16, and the studio provides 25 pounds of clay per student along with all tools, glazes, firing and one free open-studio session. Expect to learn basic centering, throwing, trimming, decorating and glazing workflows while instructors help you refine technique and translate early experiments into repeatable results. An installment payment plan is available for early registrants, and the studio staff will answer pre-class questions via [email protected].

What makes Wheelthrowing 101 feel special in this part of the city is its material focus and communal pace. In a neighborhood known for working-class grit and maker energy, the studio turns raw, earthy clay into everyday objects—cups, bowls and small vases—while sharing skills that reward patience and practice. The sensory elements are vivid: the centrifugal rhythm of the wheel, cool clay moving under your palms, the dry metallic hiss of trimming tools and the warm glow inside the kiln as greenware becomes ceramic.

Practical details matter: the studio is wheelchair accessible, meetings take place in the back classroom, class size keeps instruction personal, and additional clay can be purchased if you outgrow the included allowance. This course is great for city visitors who want a compact creative immersion between outdoor walks in South Philadelphia or weekend markets, for locals building a new hobby, or for anyone seeking tactile balance to screen-heavy days.

Bring curiosity, a notebook for sketches and a willingness to get your hands muddy. By the final session you’ll leave not only with finished pieces but with foundational throwing skills and a clear path to open studio practice—one that connects a simple lump of earth to useful, handmade objects and to a broader Philadelphia craft community.

Students report rapid progress thanks to the small class ratio and focused morning rhythm; expect personalized corrections and demonstrations that accelerate muscle memory. The course’s included glazing and firing remove common post-class friction—no separate studio hunt—and the free open studio gives a low-stakes place to continue practice. Email [email protected] with accessibility questions or logistical concerns, and arrive a few minutes early on the first day to settle into your wheel and meet fellow makers.