Wheelthrowing 101: Night Classes at Black Hound Clay Studio, South Philadelphia

Black Hound Clay Studio’s Wheelthrowing 101 is a hands-on evening class held in South Philadelphia at 1701 Federal Street. Over eight Monday nights you’ll learn to center clay, pull walls, trim, and finish wheel-thrown vessels under the guidance of instructor August Mendez. This listing is for the waitlist; sign up if you want to be notified should a spot open in the Monday evening session. Inside the South studio you’ll find the tools that define the practice: potter’s wheels lined up for student use, a glaze bench stocked with test tiles, a loading kiln and shelving for greenware and finished pieces. The scene is practical and tactile—wet clay under your thumbs, damp sponges, wooden ribs, and the quiet whirr of the wheel. Key features include hands-on instruction, small cohorts (class size ten), and an on-site system for bisque and glaze firing. Unique to this urban studio is its focus on beginner wheelthrowing in a communal classroom rather than a retail craft space. The course runs Monday evenings from September 21 to November 9, 6–9 pm, an eight-week progression that moves a complete novice toward independently thrown cups, bowls, and simple vases. Minimum age is 16. The instructor, August Mendez, leads technique demonstrations and one-on-one corrections at the wheel; students rotate through throwing, trimming, and glazing stations. Black Hound Clay Studio handles kiln firing and storage on a timeline that’s explained in class, so expect to retrieve finished work after the firing cycle completes. Practical notes: this is a waitlist—joining does not guarantee a slot; you will be contacted if space becomes available. Bring clothes you don’t mind getting clay on, a towel for hands, and patience for the slow drying and firing process. Class group dynamics and communal shelving make this a social workshop as much as a skill-builder. For travelers, the studio offers a tactile counterpoint to Philadelphia’s outdoor offerings: a chance to rest sore muscles from a hike or bike ride and translate that physical energy into craft. It’s a local maker space that adds depth to a visit—learn a new skill, take home handmade objects, and meet Philadelphians who make in the city. To join the waitlist or ask questions, email [email protected] and watch for an opening. Across the sessions you’ll practice centering repeatedly, learn to create a basic foot ring, explore underglaze and simple brush-on glaze techniques, and develop an understanding of how greenware, bisque, and glaze firings alter shape and surface. Expect feedback on form and proportion and chances to watch demonstrations close-up. The studio often showcases finished student work on open shelves; taking home a glazed cup you made by hand is a direct measure of progress and a memorable souvenir for visitors alike.