Cat Clay Studio | Catalyst Arts Collab

THE CAT CLAY STUDIO

Our pottery studio offers everything you need, with classes ranging from beginner-friendly handbuilding and pottery wheel throwing classes to independent, non-guided sessions. Your registration for most clay classes will include all instruction, tools, kiln firings, and amenities except for clay, so you can purchase (or bring) the right amount of clay for your particular projects.

WHAT TO EXPECT

During Your First Session:

One of our amazing clay instructors will be in the studio to help you learn the basics and get acquainted with our space. Most people end up making about 2-4 pieces during a their first handbuilding or wheel throwing class.

*Before You Leave on your First Studio Day*

Write your name or initials on the bottom of your pieces
Take a picture of your pieces

After your class, we'll bisque fire your pieces for you. This process usually takes about 2 weeks and is included in the price of your registration.

After your pieces have been bisque fired by the studio, you can either:

1. Book another Cat Clay Session (at least 2 weeks after your first session) to glaze your pieces by hand before they are fired again, or,

2. You can ask us to dip glaze your pieces (a single color) for you, at $20 a piece. After your first clay class, if you ask us to dip glaze your pieces for you, please allow 4 weeks from your first session before pickup, as your pieces will need to be fired twice. Or,

3. For non-food use, you can pick up your bisque-fired pieces and paint them at home with acrylics or watercolors, then seal with a clear coat.

During Your Second Session (2 weeks later)

Find your Bisqueware Pieces to Glaze

"Bisqueware" refers to clay that has been fired once--now permanently fixed in its current form--but is still fragile and will not hold water. Typically, it takes on a lighter color and slightly shrinks compared to when you had first thrown or sculpted it.

After you find your bisque fired pieces, you may:

Sand imperfections off
Apply glaze or underglaze. For brushing on glazes, make sure to add 2+ coats!
Take it home to paint, instead of glaze (no booking required)

Pick Up Day (2 weeks later)

Pick up your Glazeware Pieces from the Shelf (No booking required)

Color has been added with glazes and refired, resulting in a glossy, glass-like surface on the finished piece.

**PLEASE PICK UP OR GLAZE YOUR PIECES WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF YOUR FIRST STUDIO DAY!**

Optional

Book another session to join us again! Remember that practice makes progress, and our great instructors are here to help you learn and grow. Find a full list of our clay classes from our "Classes" page, here.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

Create at least 3-4 pieces during your first clay session before booking another session to glaze, in order to make the most of your time in the clay studio
If you don't bring your own clay to your scheduled sessions, we'll be able to get you set up with clay upon check-in. Typically, one 5lbs bag per person, per session is sufficient (5lbs bags are each $7). However, groups of 3+ or 4+ often purchase a 25lbs bag for $26. The choice is up to you and the projects you have planned!
Ahead of your session, trim fingernails, leave jewelry (e.g. rings, bracelets, watches) at home, and bring a hair tie for long hair!
Please pick up (or book another session to glaze) pieces from your first session within 2 months of your first studio day. To make room for new student work, we clear our shelves every 4-6 months. Pieces that you don't return for may be used by other students, or may be sold in a "mystery ceramic box" in our gift shop!
Bring along some reference photos of pieces you'd like to make, and ask your instructor if they have any tips or tricks for you to try during your session!

CLAY BASICS 101

SLIP

A mixture of clay and water that can be used to "glue" together separate pieces. It can also be applied to plaster moulds to repeatedly cast a set shape.

PLASTIC

Soft clay that is malleable and simple to reshape and mould. This is the beginning stage of most clay work, including pottery throwing on a wheel.

LEATHERHARD

Clay that is partially dry, retaining its shape but still conducive for trimming (if you choose to refine the shape, weight, or texture of your pieces). At this stage, there is roughly 15% moisture left in the clay. You can place some pieces under heat to get to this stage, however, Pieces that have just been thrown on the wheel are typically too wet to be trimmed immediately, meaning that another session within the next several days should be booked for trimming.

BONE DRY- TAKES 7+ DAYS

Clay that is completely dry, set in the artist's chosen form and prepared for firing in the kiln. There should be no more moisture in the clay. Also referred to as greenware & is extremely fragile.

BISQUEWARE

Clay that has been fired once, now permanently fixed in its current form, but is still fragile and will not hold water. Typically, it takes on a lighter color and slightly shrinks compared to when you had first thrown or sculpted it.

GLAZEWARE