Wheel-Thrown Bottlenecks, Bud Vases and Closed Forms
- Description
- Location
- Class Outline
- Policies
- Liability & Safety
Unlock the next level in wheel-thrown forms in this four-week class focused on bottlenecks, bud vases, and one-part closed forms. Designed for advanced beginners and intermediate throwers, this class explores elegant and sculptural vessels with expanded bodies and restricted openings, thrown directly on the wheel.
Through demonstrations and guided practice, you’ll learn how to build volume, smoothly collar and close forms, and control wall thickness. We’ll also go over techniques for throwing chucks and tips for trimming bottleneck forms.
This is a condensed month-long class which will meet for two hours each week for a total of four sessions, with open studio access every day for you to practice on your own
Continuing Wheel students should bring their own clay and tools. The course fee includes firing for up to 15 pieces and use of studio recycled clay.
Mondays March 2 - March 23 | 7:00 - 9:00 PM (with Michael Mastroberti)
Still Life Ceramics
1600 Altamont Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230
Week 1 — Foundations & Narrow Neck Techniques
• Review of centering, establishing even walls, and throwing stable forms
• Demonstrations on pulling walls and collaring narrow necks
• Proportion studies for bottlenecks and small vase openings
• Throwing your first bottleneck forms for the course
Week 2 — Bud Vases: Form, Flow & Height Control
• Techniques for throwing taller forms with steady walls
• Shaping bud vases with balanced profiles and clean transitions
• Throwing chucks and trimming considerations for bottleneck and round forms
Week 3 — One-Part Closed Forms
• Throwing fully closed, hollow forms from a single piece of clay
• Collaring and closing the top without collapse
• Managing moisture, timing, and wheel speed for successful closures
• Techniques for smoothing, compressing, and shaping the closed top
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Week 4 — Refinement, Glaze Planning & Personal Projects
• Surface refinement and preparing complex forms for glazing
• Glaze considerations and techniques for glazing narrow openings
• Guidance on continuing to develop these forms beyond the class
Cancellations made 4 or more days before the start of the class will be refunded. For cancellations made fewer than 4 full days, but more than 24 hours before the start time, a 50% refund or 50% credit toward another class or workshop will be issued. We cannot provide refunds or credits for cancellations or rescheduling requests made fewer than 24 hours before class starts, if you miss class, or arrive too late to participate.
Our classes are for adults. If you have a child under 18 interested in taking a class, please contact us before enrolling.
Liability & Safety
All students must agree to the following upon registering for a class or workshop at Still Life Studio:
Waivers and Safety for Ceramic Classes and Studio Use
- Students will follow all instructions by teacher.
- Students will not load, unload or operate the kilns.
- Long hair should be tied back.
- Do not wear articles of clothing or jewelry that hang off the body.
- Closed footwear is required.
- Do not use any equipment without a staff member present.
- SLS will provide safety glasses or gloves upon request.
- All completed work must be picked up from Still Life Studio no later than 4 weeks after the student’s final class. Still Life Studio is not responsible for any work left longer than 4 weeks. It is the student’s responsibility to pick up their work.
I hereby release and agree to hold Still Life Studio harmless from, and waive on behalf of myself, my heirs, and any personal representatives any and all causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and compensation for damage or loss to myself and/or property that may be caused by any act, or failure to act of the studio, or that may otherwise arise in any way in connection with any services received from Still Life Studio. I understand that this release discharges Still Life Studio from any liability or claim that I, my heirs, or any personal representatives may have against the studio with respect to any bodily injury, illness, death, medical treatment, or property damage that may arise from, or in connection to, any services received from Still Life Studio. This liability waiver and release extends to the studio together with all owners, partners, and employees.
Liability Waiver
In connection with my involvement in ceramic classes at Still Life Studio, I hereby release Still Life Studio, its agents, representatives, successors, or assignees, Still Life Studio management and employees, from all liabilities, actions, claims, damages, demands, costs, and expenses which I am now or in the future have against them, arising out of or in any way connected with my participation in art classes, including enroute to or from the program or its related events. I understand that the waiver includes, but is not limited to, all injuries to me and or loss of injuries to any personal property. I also understand that this waiver includes, but is not limited to, any claims that are based on my alleged negligence or any other action or inaction of any of the above parties.
I also give Still Life Studio permission to publish in print, electronic, or video format the likeness or image of myself and/or my work for the general promotion of Still Life Studio and its programs.
By enrolling in a class or workshop, I am acknowledging that I have read and understand the safety instructions and the liability waiver that have been outlined.