ICA San Diego / North
1550 S El Camino Real Encinitas, CA 92024
Please click on the (+) sign to choose a session and then click "register here".
Ceramics Classes for Kids and Adults!
Ceramics For All Levels
Designed for everyone in our community of all skill levels, our ceramics classes offer an immersive experience where you’ll uncover the secrets of transforming clay into functional and exquisite pieces of art.
Guided by our talented teaching artists, each session spans six weeks, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the transformative benefits of an art practice on a personal level.
Our ceramics lab at our North location in Encinitas includes access to our 6-acre property including our beautiful garden and Sculpture Trail hikes.
Ignite your imagination and have fun creating in our stress-free environment!
Fall Courses & Workshops
Summer Courses & Workshops
Policies and Discounts
Beginner & Intermediate Wheel Throwing | (Wednesdays, Sep 9 - Oct 14, 5:30-8:30pm)
Class Schedule
Wednesdays, 5:30-8:30pm
Six-Week Session
September 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14
Description
Learn the fundamentals or level up your wheel throwing skills in this supportive, hands-on class. Beginners will focus on centering, pulling walls, and creating basic forms. Intermediate students can refine techniques, explore new forms, and build consistency. Individual guidance meets you where you’re at, whether you’re touching clay for the first time or returning to the wheel with more confidence.
All students receive one month of FREE LAB ACCESS at the ICA ceramics studio following the conclusion of the course.
Interested in deepening your ceramics knowledge? This class forms part of the ICA Ceramics Certificate Program course sequence. To learn more and save on ICA courses, click here.
Register Here!
Raku: Surface, Fire, and Form | (Mondays, Sep 14 - Oct 26, 5:30-8:30pm)
Class Schedule
Mondays, 5:30-8:30pm
Six-Week Session
September 14, 21, 28, October 5, 19, 26 (skips Oct 12)
Description
Dive into the unpredictable and exhilarating world of Raku ceramics in this exploratory class focused on experimentation, surface, and transformation through fire. Designed for both hand-builders and potters with prior wheel experience, this course offers a space to play, test, and push the boundaries of form and finish.
All students receive one month of FREE LAB ACCESS at the ICA ceramics studio following the conclusion of the course.
Interested in deepening your ceramics knowledge? This class forms part of the ICA Ceramics Certificate Program course sequence. To learn more and save on ICA courses, click here.
Register Here!
All Levels Wheel Throwing | (Tuesdays, Sep 8 - Oct 13, 10am-1pm)
Class Schedule
Tuesdays, 10am-1pm
Six-Week Session
September 8, 15, 22, 29, October 6, 13
Instructor
Yuso Lee
Description
Learn the fundamentals or level up your wheel throwing skills in this supportive, hands-on class. Beginners will focus on centering, pulling walls, and creating basic forms. Intermediate students can refine techniques, explore new forms, and build consistency. Individual guidance meets you where you’re at, whether you’re touching clay for the first time or returning to the wheel with more confidence.
All students receive one month of FREE LAB ACCESS at the ICA ceramics studio following the conclusion of the course.
Interested in deepening your ceramics knowledge? This class forms part of the ICA Ceramics Certificate Program course sequence. To learn more and save on ICA courses, click here.
Register Here!
Glaze Chemistry Demystified 6-Week Class | (Saturdays, Sep 12 - Oct 24, 10am-1pm) - FULL, WAITLIST AVAILABLE!
Class Schedule
Saturdays, 10am-1pm
Six-Week Session
September 12, 19, 26, October 3, 17, 24 (skips Oct 10)
Instructor
Katie Francis
Description
Take a deeper dive into the science, structure, and mystery behind ceramic glazes in this hands-on course designed to demystify glaze chemistry through discussion, demonstration, experimentation, and testing. Ideal for curious makers looking to better understand why glazes behave the way they do, this class bridges the gap between creative exploration and technical understanding.
All students receive one month of FREE LAB ACCESS at the ICA ceramics studio following the conclusion of the course.
Interested in deepening your ceramics knowledge? This class forms part of the ICA Ceramics Certificate Program course sequence. To learn more and save on ICA courses, click here.
Add to Waitlist
Youth Ceramics | (Wednesdays, Sep 9 - Oct 14, 3:30-5:00pm)
Class Schedule
Wednesdays, 3:30-5:00pm
Six-Week Session
September 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14
Instructor
Yuso Lee
Description
Children ages 8-12 will have the opportunity to explore how to shape clay as a creative medium. They will learn wheel throwing and hand-building techniques as well as glaze projects. From pots to animal sculpture students will practice to observe, follow through, and understand the importance of dedication.
Register Here!
Teen Wheel Throwing | (Mondays, Sep 14 - Oct 26, 4-6pm)
Class Schedule
Mondays, 4:00-6:00pm
Six-Week Session
September 14, 21, 28, October 5, 19, 26 (skips Oct 12)
Description
In this six week class students ages 12-17 will begin by learning the basics, focusing on 3 essential steps of the throwing process: centering, opening, and pulling. Students will be led in working with ceramics, hand-building and wheel throwing, learning slab construction, pinch pots, surface texture, clay impression and more.
Register Here!
Give it a Spin! 1-Day Wheel Throwing Workshop | (Sunday, Sep 13, 4-6pm)
Date: Sunday, September 13, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Tuition: $30 per person, additional $20 for trim plus choice of glaze and firing
Spend your next friend get-together or date night in our ceramics lab by giving it a spin! Our open lab hours will allow you to try out work on the wheel. If you like what you make or want to learn more, you can sign up for more in-depth classes or keep coming back to gain hands-on experience.
Skills: Learn to use the wheel, how to throw, center clay, alter shapes, learn to trim and use glazes.
Ages 16+
Please note that Give It A Spin! workshops are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Register Here!
Give it a Spin! 1-Day Wheel Throwing Workshop | (Sunday, Oct 4, 4-6pm)
Date: Sunday, October 4, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Tuition: $30 per person, additional $20 for trim plus choice of glaze and firing
Spend your next friend get-together or date night in our ceramics lab by giving it a spin! Our open lab hours will allow you to try out work on the wheel. If you like what you make or want to learn more, you can sign up for more in-depth classes or keep coming back to gain hands-on experience.
Skills: Learn to use the wheel, how to throw, center clay, alter shapes, learn to trim and use glazes.
Ages 16+
Please note that Give It A Spin! workshops are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Register Here!
All Levels Wheel Throwing (July 11 - Aug 15, 10am-1pm) - FULL, WAITLIST AVAILABLE!
Class Schedule
Saturdays, 10am-1pm
Six-Week Session
July 11, 18, 25, August 1, 8, 15
Instructor
Aeriel French (click for website)
Description
Learn the fundamentals or level up your wheel throwing skills in this supportive, hands-on class. Beginners will focus on centering, pulling walls, and creating basic forms. Intermediate students can refine techniques, explore new forms, and build consistency. Individual guidance meets you where you’re at, whether you’re touching clay for the first time or returning to the wheel with more confidence.
All students receive one month of FREE LAB ACCESS at the ICA ceramics studio following the conclusion of the course.
Interested in deepening your ceramics knowledge? This class forms part of the ICA Ceramics Certificate Program course sequence. To learn more and save on ICA courses, click here.
Add to Waitlist
2-Day Ceramics Mold-Making Workshop with Artist-in-Residence Cat Gunn (July 25 & 26, 10am-1pm) - FULL, WAITLIST AVAILABLE
Date: Saturday & Sunday, July 25 & 26, 10am-1pm
Tuition: $150 per person; members: $135 using discount code ICAMEMBERSAVE
Description:
Join ICA Artist-in-Residence Cat Gunn to learn the fundamentals of designing and constructing a simple plaster mold for slip casting! In this hands-on introductory workshop, you’ll learn to create a functional mold ready for casting through guided demonstrations and step-by-step instruction. Bring your own object to cast, and by the end of the day, you’ll leave with your own handmade mold and the skills to continue exploring slip-cast ceramics independently.
Instructor:
Add to Waitlist
Give it a Spin! 1-Day Wheel Throwing Workshop (July 12, 4-6pm) - SOLD OUT!
Date: Sunday, July 12, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Tuition: $30 per person, additional $20 for trim plus choice of glaze and firing
Spend your next friend get-together or date night in our ceramics lab by giving it a spin! Our open lab hours will allow you to try out work on the wheel. If you like what you make or want to learn more, you can sign up for more in-depth classes or keep coming back to gain hands-on experience.
Skills: Learn to use the wheel, how to throw, center clay, alter shapes, learn to trim and use glazes.
Ages 16+
Please note that Give It A Spin! workshops are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Register Here!
Underglaze Techniques: Mishima, Sgraffito, Paper Resist, Mono Printing (Aug 9, 10am-1pm) - FULL, WAITLIST AVAILABLE!
Date: Sunday, August 9, 10am-1pm
Tuition: $75 per person, $67.50 using discount code ICAMEMBERSAVE
Description:
Join us for a hands-on, skill-building workshop where you’ll dive deep into the rich world of underglaze surface techniques. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned ceramicist looking to expand your decorative vocabulary, this workshop offers an in-depth look at creative ways to enhance your work through thoughtful design and technique.
Instructor:
Bill Henke
Add to Waitlist
Give it a Spin! 1-Day Wheel Throwing Workshop (August 2, 4-6pm) - SOLD OUT!
Date: Sunday, August 2, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Tuition: $30 per person, additional $20 for trim plus choice of glaze and firing
Spend your next friend get-together or date night in our ceramics lab by giving it a spin! Our open lab hours will allow you to try out work on the wheel. If you like what you make or want to learn more, you can sign up for more in-depth classes or keep coming back to gain hands-on experience.
Skills: Learn to use the wheel, how to throw, center clay, alter shapes, learn to trim and use glazes.
Ages 16+
Please note that Give It A Spin! workshops are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Register Here!
CANCELATION POLICY
Six-week classes and one-day workshops (excluding Give It A Spin!): Cancel up to 7 days before the start of class for a full refund. Cancelations less than 7 days before the start of class are ineligible for refund.
Give It A Spin!: Give It A Spin! workshops are non-refundable and non-transferable. All purchases are final.
No refunds will be given for cancelations made on the first day of classes and workshops.
There will be no make-up dates for missed lessons. No exceptions.
There will be no exceptions to the cancelation policy.
DISCOUNTS
Purchase 2 or more classes and save an additional 5% each – Use MULTICLASS code
ICA Member save 10% – Log in and use ICAMEMBERSAVE code
If you are not an ICA Member you can sign up here. After your membership purchase, you will receive your 10% unique discount code with you membership confirmation email. (Different from the one published here).
Discounts can be combined. Apply discount codes at the bottom of your shopping bag page before checkout.
WAITLIST
Click here to be added to the waitlist.