Summer 2026 Class Descriptions

Class information

Registration for summer clay classes opens on our website on Monday, April 20 at 9:00 am. 

Summer Session 1: June 1 - July 1

Summer Session 2: July 14 - August 12

Summer 10 week class

Adult Class Descriptions

Beginning Wheel

Learn how to use the pottery wheel in this five week class geared for beginners or students with an introductory exposure to the wheel. During this class, students will learn to create a variety of forms on the wheel including cylinders, bowls and vases. Students will also explore applying slip and glaze to the work.

Mug Madness

Create cups and mugs using both wheel throwing and handbuilding techniques. This class is designed for beginning students who are interested in a variety of ways to create handmade pottery. It would also be suitable for students with wheel throwing experience who wish to add handbuilding to their repertoire.

Special Topics: Wood Firing Experience

This class is an opportunity to learn about wood firing through creating work and participating in the wood firings at Maine Prairie Studio. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a wood firing at the end of the class session. Class time will be focused on learning about making forms for the wood kilns, slips and glazes for the wood kilns and the wood firing process. The registration fee covers both the class and the wood firing experience. The class is geared towards individuals wood firing for the first time. Students should have some previous experiences with clay as introductory processes will not be taught during class.

Large Pots on the Wheel

This class is designed for intermediate and advanced students ready to try bigger forms. Explore the tools and essential techniques needed to successfully make large vessels. Techniques include centering large amounts of clay, throwing with added coils, making pots in sections using the paddle and anvil to shape form, and safe and healthy ways to work at scale. This class will meet every other week; students can use open studio time during the off week to practice these techniques.

Youth Class Descriptions

Handbuilding for Youth 

Students will try a variety of handbuilding projects during this five week class. Projects will include pinch pots and pieces made from slabs. Students will also decorate their pieces with colored slip.

Beginning Wheel for Youth

This five week class will introduce students to foundational skills on the pottery wheel. Students will learn to create a variety of forms on the wheel including cylinders, bowls and vases. 

About classes at Maine Prairie Studio

These classes meet once a week for either 5 or 10 weeks at our studio in downtown Kimball MN, 70 Main Street South.

Adult class registration includes: class instruction, clay, open studio access outside of class time, access to our common tools, pottery wheels, ware racks, slips, glazes, bisque and glaze firing. Students in five week classes receive 12.5 lb of clay with the class and 12"x24" of kiln space in the glaze firing. Students in ten week classes receive 25 lb of clay with the class and 24" x 24" of kiln space in the glaze firing. 

Students ages 16 and up can register for adult classes. Students in youth classes only have access to the studio during class time.

Additional firing costs may be incurred depending on the amount of work made. Firing costs will be calculated based on the number of 12 x 24 shelves used by each individual in our cone 10 reduction kiln. The cost per shelf is $25.