In this five-day workshop, participants will be guided through instruction of coil, pinch and carving techniques to make a variety of forms in clay. We will cover cups, plates, and bowls, with a special focus on handles and feet. The group will spend time on surface decoration and glazing techniques, including demonstrations by Melissa on how to use underglaze to decorate and draw on our pots. Students will participate in engaging conversations on how to find their voice and explore materials to further in their own practice.

Please note: All ceramics projects need to be fired in a pottery kiln and take approximately a month before they are ready to be taken home. You will receive an email once pieces are ready for pickup. Groundworks will discard ceramics projects 60 days after pieces are out of the kiln unless you've made direct arrangements.

Class will meet 10:00am-4:00pm with a break for lunch for 5 days. 

Ages: 16+

About the artist Melissa Weiss:
Melissa Weiss is a studio potter located in Asheville, NC. She makes each piece by hand. Melissa digs her own clay off her land in NW Arkansas. She turns this clay into a slip and screens the big rocks out then adds some dry clays, feldspar and sand. Next, she takes this liquid clay and pours it into screened racks lined with sheets. The water slowly drips out over a few weeks and the clay is then taken out of the racks and run through a pug mill to further mix it. It is then ready for making pots. Melissa uses a variety of methods to make the pots including wheel thrown, pinched, coil, carved. The pots are first fired to a lower temperature called bisque, then they are glazed from glazes Melissa makes from dry ingredients. These glazes are a variety of clear, shino and ash glazes. Melissa decorates her pots with underglazes using wax resist, inlay and layering techniques. These pots are high fired in a gas reduction kiln and reduction cooled with wood. Due to the nature of the minimally processed wild clay there are occasionally small rocks, fissures and iron specks, these occurrences do not compromise the function of the pot.  All the pots are carefully checked before going out to the world. All of the pots are functional, food safe, dishwasher, and microwave safe.

Please join us for the Wonderful World of Raku! A class specializing in Handbuilding and Raku techniques from different parts of the world. We will be doing firings based on Japanese, Western (Horsehair/Natural) and Eastern European (Obvara) reduction firing techniques. You can't miss this!

Class does NOT include additional open lab time or clay. All work must be completed during class time.  

Ages 16+ to register

Class meets weekly on WEDNESDAYS

Willl be available to register on Wednesday, May 28 at 8:00am.

For students that have never touched clay to those still learning the basics.

This class will cover the basic “how tos” of pottery. Students will learn the foundations of throwing, including how to confidently center, pull, and trim pots on the wheel. The class will also cover basic glazing techniques, and how to track your pieces through the studio in 4 short weeks! Ideal for people with busy summer schedules that can’t commit to a full 8 week class.

Ages: 16 and above

Class meets weekly on WEDNESDAY

Note: This class will meet at the MAIN location at 3750 Canfield Street. You will only have open lab access at the same studio as your class.

Does NOT include Firing Fees. For details on our Firing Fees, please click here: https://www.groundworksartlab.org/firing-fees

This class is Pay What You Can with a suggested price of $145.

All pieces will be fired to Cone 6 in a reduction kiln.

Will be available to register on Wednesday, May 28 at 8:00am.

This class is great for students who already have some experience with clay and are looking to take the next step.

The demonstrations for this class go beyond the basics. Students will learn how to make more complex forms and techniques including: altered forms, lidded jars, throwing off-the-hump, sgraffito, and more.

(Please check the class prerequisites before enrolling)

Ages: 16 and above

Class meets weekly on WEDNESDAYS

Note: This class will meet at the Hill location at 1010 Aurora Avenue. You will only have open lab access at the same studio as your class.

Does NOT include Firing Fees. For details on our Firing Fees, please click here: https://www.groundworksartlab.org/firing-fees


All pieces will be fired to Cone 6 in a reduction kiln.

Will be available to register on Wednesday, May 28 at 8:00am.

Looking for diffferent ways to spruce up your garden this summer? Whether they're dragons, fairy houses, mushrooms or something else entirely, garden sculptures can add a layer of whimsy to any out door area. Come make your own in this 4 week handbuilding class! All levels welcome!

This class takes place at Groundworks HILL at 1010 Aurora Ave, Boulder, CO in the upstairs hand-building classroom. 

This class meets weekly for 4 weeks on THURSDAYS.

Class does NOT include additional open lab time or clay. All work must be completed during class time. 

Ages: 16+


Will be available to register on Wednesday, May 28 at 8:00am.

Level I Hand-building for students wanting to explore the basic techniques for hand-building functional, sculptural, or decorative pieces.

Learn about the various hand-building tools, and the three basic hand-building techniques: pinching, coiling, and slab rolling through a series of self-guided projects.

PLEASE NOTE: This class runs for 3.5 hours, which includes 1 hour of work time at the end of each class period. You will not have access to the studio outside of the scheduled class time. You will also not have access to the Groundworks other locations.

Ages: 16 and above

Class meets weekly on THURSDAY

Does NOT include Firing Fees. For details on our Firing Fees, please click here: https://www.groundworksartlab.org/firing-fees

This class is Pay What You Can with a suggested price of $265.

All pieces will be fired to Cone 6 in an oxydation kiln.

Will be available to register on Wednesday, May 28 at 8:00am.

For students that have never touched clay to those still learning the basics.

This class will cover the basic “how tos” of pottery. Students will learn the foundations of throwing, including how to confidently center, pull, and trim pots on the wheel. The class will also cover basic glazing techniques, attaching handles, and how to track your pieces through the studio.

Ages: 16 and above

Class meets weekly on THURSDAYS

Note: This class will meet at the HILL location at 1010 Aurora Ave. You will only have open lab access at the same studio as your class.

Does NOT include Firing Fees. For details on our Firing Fees, please click here: https://www.groundworksartlab.org/firing-fees

This class is Pay What You Can with a suggested price of $285.

All pieces will be fired to Cone 6 in a reduction kiln.


Will be available to register on Wednesday, May 28 at 8:00am.

This class is great for students who already have some experience with clay and are looking to take the next step.

The demonstrations for this class go beyond the basics. Students will learn how to make more complex forms and techniques including: altered forms, lidded jars, throwing off-the-hump, sgraffito, and more.

(Please check the class prerequisites before enrolling)

Ages: 16 and above

Class meets weekly on THURSDAYS

Note: This class will meet at the MAIN location at 3750 Canfield Street. You will only have open lab access at the same studio as your class.

Does NOT include Firing Fees. For details on our Firing Fees, please click here: https://www.groundworksartlab.org/firing-fees


All pieces will be fired to Cone 6 in a reduction kiln.

Will be available to register on Wednesday, May 28 at 8:00am.