Hand Building Classes & Workshops

Hand Building Techniques in Clay with Sam Peterson

Discover the creative possibilities of working with clay by hand in Hand Building Techniques in Clay with Sam Peterson. This class focuses on the many ways clay can be shaped, constructed, and textured without using the pottery wheel. Students will explore essential hand-building techniques, including pinch, coil, and slab construction, while learning how to combine and adapt these methods to create unique forms.

Through demonstrations and hands-on instruction, Sam will guide students through the entire process—from preparing and shaping clay to joining pieces, refining forms, adding texture, and creating interesting surfaces. Students can explore both functional pottery and sculptural forms, including vessels, tiles, trays, wall pieces, and other creative projects.

Hand building offers tremendous freedom to experiment with shapes and ideas that can be difficult to achieve on the wheel. Students will learn how to let the qualities of the clay guide their work while developing their own creative voice.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced clay artist, this class provides an opportunity to build skills, experiment with new techniques, and enjoy the hands-on process of creating with clay.