Explore your creative side in Clay!

What's the Difference?

Wheel Throwing

Wheel-throwing is what most people think of when the term "pottery" comes to mind. You probably have several mugs and bowls in your home that were formed on a pottery wheel. Potters take clay and use the circular motion of the wheel to create round vessels like mugs, bowls, and plates. It can be a challenge to learn the basics of throwing, but most students say that once it "clicks," they love it! A lot of our potters find the wheel's steady motion and their interaction with the clay to be zen-like and relaxing.

Hand-building

Hand-building (or slab-building) is exactly what it sounds like: building clay by hand, without the use of a wheel. You might use tools or brushes, but your project is essentially formed by your hands. Hand-building affords you the chance to create pieces that you wouldn't be able to make on the wheel; boxes, flowers, square and rectangular shapes, ornaments, oval platters, etc. It's generally easier to learn, so many people like to start with hand-building and work their way up to the wheel.
Which class is right for me?
Hand-building Workshop
  • Learn the basics of working with clay without the pottery wheel
  • Easy commitment: one 3-hr session
  • One-on-one guidance from your instructor with small class sizes
  • Fun and seasonally-themed projects already planned for you
  • Perfect for a group of friends or family to do together
  • Focuses on creating a fun, functional project
  • Ages 14 and up (Ages 9 - 13 if a parent or guardian joins)
"Try Out the Wheel" Session
  • Designed for those with no wheel experience who want to try it out
  • Easy commitment: one 3-hr session
  • Helps you decide if you would like to try a longer wheel class
  • Opportunity to make up to 3 food-safe, functional pieces
  • Glazing done for you--just play with clay!
  • Join on one of our scheduled dates or get a group together and we'll work with your schedule!
  • Perfect for a group of friends or family to do together
  • Great for birthdays, bachelorettes, and other events!
  • Ages 14 and up
Seven-Week Wheel Pottery Course
  • Learn the basics of throwing on the pottery wheel (exclusively)
  • Longer commitment: Seven 3-hr classes
  • One-on-one guidance from your instructor with small class sizes
  • Use skills learned in class to create fun and fully functional projects of your choice
  • Focuses on building a new skill set that you can continue to discover!
  • Free Studio Time included with registration
  • Ages 14 and up
Independent Pottery
  • Designed for students proficient in wheel-throwing techniques who have previously taken a class at our Art Center
  • Easy commitment: pick and choose from our list of dates what works for you!
  • Glazing time and firing included
  • Clay available for $1/1lb
  • Throw and trim at your own pace, joined by other independent potters from the community
  • Opportunity to build your skills in ceramics without the pressure of a class or instructor
  • Ages 18 and up
Seven-Week Combination Course
  • Learn the basics of working with clay, both hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques
  • Longer commitment: Seven 3-hr classes
  • One-on-one guidance from your instructor with small class sizes
  • Use skills learned in class to create fun and fully functional projects of your choice
  • Focuses on building a new skill set that you can continue to discover!
  • Free Studio Time included with registration
  • Ages 14 and up
5-Week Hand-Building Course
  • Learn the basics of working with clay without the pottery wheel
  • Medium commitment: Five 2-hr sessions
  • One-on-one guidance from your instructor with small class sizes
  • Themed class with project flexibility where you'll make fun and fully functional items!
  • Focuses on building a new skill set that you can continue to discover!
  • Ages 14 and up (Ages 9 - 13 if a parent or guardian joins)

Meet Our Ceramics Instructors!

Sandra Buerklin

A ceramic maker at Samobue Pottery (Samo-Pots), Sandra earned a studio arts degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a focus on ceramics and continues to grow as an artist through continuing education programs. Sandra currently lives in Greensburg, PA.

Alexis Dillon

Alexis Dillon is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Visual Arts & Photography instruction. She is a member of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh Society of Artists, and the Silver Eye Center for Photography. She taught art, pottery and photography in a public high school for 30 years and now is concentrating on her own work. She has been teaching wheel pottery at Main Exhibit Gallery for the past 3 years.

Cray Charlebois

A native of Rector, PA, Cray graduated from West Carolina University with a BFA, and is a skilled potter both on the wheel and in hand-building. She uses her creative genius to brainstorm classes and projects for our center, hosts private workshops, and enjoys being a mom to 3 creative kids.

Marine Ruth

Marine Ruth, originally from France, lives in Greensburg with her family. She first discovered her love of pottery at the Greensburg Art Center, and now shares her joy through teaching wheel-throwing to others.

Steve Hasley

Steve Hasley, a Bolivar resident, has over 40 years of ceramics experience, and is skilled with both wheel and hand-built techniques. He specializes in wood-fired pottery and teaches our wood-firing courses, partially in our Art Center with a series of kiln firing on his property.

Francis Defabo

Francis DeFabo, a retired physician, is now a professional potter and owns FD Pottery in Pleasant Unity, where he sells his own pottery and other great items. His work has been featured in HGTV Restored by the Fords, as well as numerous magazines. He has taught beginning and intermediate pottery at Main Exhibit Gallery since our Art Center opened in 2014!