I offer private one-on-one or two-on-one pottery lessons in wheel throwing and handbuilding to beginning and intermediate level potters. I fire to Cone 6 in an electric kiln and occasionally do Raku and Barrel firings.

Pot Shots is an opportunity to come in and get a taste of the pottery experience with your friends or loved ones (up to 20 adults). You can try a one time reasonably priced play-time pottery experience! Bring a couple friends and a bottle of wine and come get your hands dirty!   [more about PotShots]

Pottery Classes with Teresa Olson
Teresa's interest in ceramics began in 1982. She studied with Master Potter Petra Goldman, in Germany. She also worked under Alabama Folk Potter Jane Brown, before earning her degree. Teresa received a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in Studio Art, at Alabama State University in 2008. In school, Teresa studied with Dr. Christopher Greenman, of ASU, and Dr. Scott Meyer, of the University of Montevallo. Her award winning work has been exhibited in museums and galleries throughout Alabama.

Adult and Teen Pottery Class info
Beginning Students will learn techniques for throwing basic forms (bowls, plates, mugs, pitchers etc.) on the potter's wheel as well as hand-building techniques (pinch, coil, and slab-building) if desired. For intermediate and advanced students, I will help you refine your existing skills and expand your possibilities of form on and off of the wheel.

Each course lasts 6 weeks and meets once a week. Classes are ongoing and students can start at any time; beginners and advanced students learn together with a 8 student per class limit. Introductory price is $150 per 6 weeks and $110 per month after that; first 10 lbs of clay, glazes and firing are included; tools are not included. Additional clay and tools available for purchase. Up to one hour Open Studio time per week is included.

Class times: Day Classes 1- 3 Tuesday, Wednesday -- Evening Classes 7 - 9 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

After School Pottery Class info
Art is an important element in a child's cultural development. Our 'hands-on' teaching approach and easy to make projects make learning ceramics fun for kids. Individual attention is given to best develop each child's innate artistic ability. Lessons are structured to teach the skills necessary for self-expression. Clay and tools are provided as well as glazes and firing. Classes are divided into two age groups: Children 5 - 8 and Juniors 9 - 13. These classes are available after school 3:30 to 5:30.


After School Children - Ages 5 - 8
Introduction to Hand-Building - CH Tuesday 3:30 - 5:30
Children learn the fundamentals of hand-building by making and cutting shapes and assembling them together to make a fun sculpture.
$110 per month. Introductory price: 1st month: $99

After School Juniors - Ages 9 - 13
Basic Hand-Building Pottery - JH Thursday 3:30 - 5:30
Kids learn basic pinch pot, coil pot and slab pot hand-building methods and shape and assemble separate pieces together to make a final structure.
$110 per month. Introductory price: 1st month: $99

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Any missed classes must be made up within the six-week period. Full payment must be made at time of registration. There is a $25 withdrawal fee. Notice of withdrawal must be received no later than 7 days prior to the first day of class. No refunds will be given after that time. Please do not ask for credit. Keep in mind that making pottery or sculpture from wet clay is an exciting process that involves several steps, multiple kiln firings and requires some drying time. It takes at least two weeks of love from start to finish for each piece to be realized.

Making up missed classes: In this busy world, people need pottery. Our students come to rely on the sanity of clay and we try to be accommodating when the job or a family emergency keeps them away. But bear in mind that when you sign up for a session of classes, we reserve a space for you for 6 weeks in a particular time slot. If you know you will be missing a class, you can schedule a make-up before you go. If you are unavoidably absent, please call as soon as you know you will miss class and we will try to re-schedule. Make-ups cannot be taken in your regular class and must be taken during your 6-week session; they cannot be used to extend your session by a class or two. When you want to do a make-up, it's wise to check on space availability. Keep in mind that space is allocated first to students registered for that class, and then to any make-ups on a first-come, first-served basis.

Open Studio: Open studio is a time that the studio is open for Teen/Adult class participants to practice outside of class. It is not an instructional time , but a time for individual practice. A studio monitor will be present and will be available if you would like to purchase tools or clay, but please do not ask monitor to help in an instructional manner. The studio monitor will be working at tasks required to operate the studio. For information about private lessons, please see the page titled – private lessons. Open studio times are scheduled for the session and are either listed on a handout or relayed to classes by the instructor. Open studio times are subject to change. Class participants are encouraged to use the studio during open studio times. All classes and shared studio members use the classroom, so cooperation and teamwork is required.