Class Offerings

OPEN WHEEL* BEGINNER CLASS
$85 (instructor gratuity included)

*Open Wheel means this class is open to kids ages 6-12, teens and adults. Perfect for parents to take with their kids!

ADULT BEGINNER WHEEL CLASS
$85 (instructor gratuity included)

NOTE ON OPEN WHEEL, ADULT BEGINNER and INTERMEDIATE CLASSES:

Tickets for non-privates turn off 30 minutes before each class to ensure instructors can prepare for the class. No exceptions.

These classes are non-private classes and are NOT meant for intensive, 1-on-1 attention or for groups of 6 or more who want to go at their own pace. Others who are not in your group will be taking the class as well. If you do not want to take these classes or have a larger group, please book a private.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE PRIVATES PAGE.

WHAT IS INCLUDED and WHAT TO EXPECT

Classes include step-by-step instruction, clay, tools, choice of glaze color, and post-production of your pots (bisque and glaze firing).
For more info on what to wear, parking, and attendance/refund/reschedule policy, scroll further down.

Your instructor will prep the wheel area with aprons, clay and tools ahead of class. You’ll receive step-by-step instruction on how to make and design a pot on the wheel. For theses classes, we focus on making a bowl or a smaller pot that are best for beginners who’ve never thrown before (or haven’t thrown a lot).

After class, you’ll choose from a variety of glaze colors. The instructor will then guide you through a quick clean up. After you’re gone, staff will do a more thorough wipe down and disinfect!

Your pots stay at the studio and staff handle all the post-production of your pieces - glazing and firing. Once every pot in your group is finished, the staff will contact you for pick-up.

**Please allow 7-8 weeks for your pottery to go through the entire firing process*

Attendance, Refunds, Reschedules

We do not offer refunds or reschedules for missed bookings - all sales are final. We cannot change a reservation once it is made and the teacher is scheduled. Everyone in your group must SHOW UP ON TIME!! Showing up promptly, allows the private to start and end on time without interruptions. If you are late, the class will still end at the listed time.

What to Wear

Come dressed comfortably, with long hair tied back and nice jewelry and watches removed (they won’t get hurt but it is a pain to clean the clay off!). The clay will wash out and we do provide clean aprons; but wear clothes you don’t mind getting clay on.

And just a friendly tip - long nails are not pottery-friendly because the process involves so much of your hands and fingers (but we’ve seen it done before)!

Parking

During the week, parking is street 2 hours metered and non-metered parking so pay attention to the signs. On weekends, select parking is available in our backlot.
We suggest rideshare for larger groups or if you don’t want to deal with street parking Monday - Friday.

Cell Phone Policy

Please respect your instructor and the others in the studio - put your phones on vibrate, silent or lower the volume. Take all phone calls outside if needed. We encourage everyone to put their phones away completely and be fully engaged in the class to get the most out of it.

Don’t worry, we’ll make sure you get your pictures and videos.

Note on CDC Guidelines:

Bitter Root adheres to current guidelines for LA County and asks all our students and members to be prepared to follow any protocols. As of Friday, February 25, 2022 in LA County, masks are not required indoors for vaccinated individuals. With any hobby and non-essential activity, coming to the studio and participating in class or membership is done at your own discretion with full awareness we are a public space, adhering to LA County guidelines. Others will be taking classes, working on projects in various areas of the studio.
If you do not want to be in a group setting, please reserve a private lesson instead. Click here to visit the privates booking page.

All staff are also fully vaccinated and ready to welcome you to the studio. We appreciate your cooperation as we continue working to keep the studio running smoothly for everyone to enjoy safely!

Student Waiver:

ATTENTION BITTER ROOT POTTERY STUDENTS:

Please allow 7-8 weeks for your pottery to complete the firing process. Staff will contact you when everyone’s pottery in your group is ready to be picked up. From the time of your contact, you have 30 days to come pick up your pottery. After 30 days, your work may not be available for pick-up as we need to clear room for new student work.

OCCASIONALLY, PIECES DO NOT MAKE IT THROUGH THE FIRING PROCESS DUE TO AIR BUBBLES, CONSTRUCTION ISSUES, ETC. OCCASIONALLY, FIRINGS DO NOT GO AS PLANNED AND GLAZES MAY COME OUT DIFFERENT THAN EXPECTED. STAFF CANNOT CONTROL THE RESULTS OF FIRINGS ONCE A POT IS IN THE KILN. THIS IS SIMPLY THE NATURE OF THE IMPERFECT CERAMIC PROCESS. COMPLETED PIECES ARE NOT GUARANTEED.

REFUNDS WILL NOT BE ISSUED IF YOUR PIECE DOES NOT MAKE IT.

You are coming to Bitter Root Pottery for the whole experience of working in a ceramics studio with a knowledgeable, friendly instructor! Our instructors have been working for years in this discipline to learn its many nuances and to get to the skills they have today. These skills cannot be imparted in one 2 hour session. So while you may have ideas of making a perfect bowl, we encourage you to put those expectations down and focus on enjoying the entire experience of working with clay and engaging with the creative process so in-depth.