1200 W 35th Street (5th Floor), Chicago, IL 60609
Classes are 5 weeks long and cost $190. Classes are for ages 14+. Each class is small, maximum of 12 students and all materials are included in the course cost. Each session also comes with free open studio practice time, this time is bonus practice time :)
Courses start with the very basics of working with clay and take you through the whole process of preparing clay. Throwing clay on the pottery wheel, drying your work, trimming, bisque firing and then finally a glazing your work. Start to finish, including the foundational science and safety behind working with clay.
Classes are kept small to make sure everyone is getting personalized help from the course instructor. Pottery might look easy but it's really hard and small classes help make sure each student is getting adequate and personalized help. Students who have thrown before might be ready for more technical help and first time throwers will need more time on the foundational skills. Small classes make sure everyone is getting something out of the class.
The studio uses Laguna clay bodies and we throw on Shimpo VL whisper wheels, the studio glazes are all mixed in house for stunning results in Cone 6 oxidation firings.
Week 1: Studio tour, centering clay & making cylinders
Week 2: Wedging clay and continued wheel practice
Week 3: Throwing/wedging/trimming
Week 4: Trimming and preparing work to bisque fire
Week 5: Preparing bisque for glaze, glaze lesson
*BEFORE REGISTERING FOR THIS CLASS READ*** : Students interested in this class must be able to throw a very neat and uniform one (1) pound cylinder. The cylinder should be uniform throughout. This is a requirement for the class. Retake the Foundational class if you are not able to throw a neat and uniform 1 pound cylinder. Out of respect for the students who are ready for this class, the class will not slow down for students who are unable to throw a neat cylinder and not able to meet this requirement.
Classes are 5 weeks long and cost $220. (The increased cost includes 25 pounds of bag fresh Laguna clay, studio glazes and firing included) Classes are for ages 14+. Each class is small, maximum of 12 students and all materials, firing, and glazing are included in the course cost. Each session also comes with free open studio practice time, this time is bonus practice time :)
The development course is designed to help refine basic throwing skills and expand on the basics. With a strong focus on throwing development the class also covers the broader ceramics making process like clay preparation via spiral wedging and how to properly reclaim your clay. The class is aimed at developing your pottery practice so you can function as a more independent maker
The planned pottery topics covered in the class are as follows: spiral wedging, advanced cylinders, bowl forms, collared neck forms, shaping, lidded forms/galleries, how to throw larger amounts of clay (up to 5 lbs), tap centering, advanced trimming techniques, a deeper dive into glazing
Week 1: Spiral wedging and cylinders
Week 2: Bowl forms and Narrow neck forms (bud vases)
Week 3: Shaping Forms/ Lidded Forms / Trimming and Tap centering practice
Week 4: Trimming cont. and preparing work to bisque fire
Week 5: Glaze Class
Classes are 5 weeks long and cost $190. Classes are for ages 14+. Each class is small, maximum of 12 students and all materials are included in the course cost.
This course covers the fundamentals of using clay to create functional ware such as bowls, mugs, vases, and more. We will cover basic handbuilding techniques including pinching, coiling, and slab building, as well as decorative techniques with underglaze such as sgraffito and inlay. We will also go over preparing work for bisque and glaze firings. Students will be encouraged to plan and execute their own personal projects with the assistance of the instructor. While the curriculum is designed for beginners, all levels of experience are welcome.
Week 1: Studio tour, clay basics & pinch pots
Week 2: Coil and Slab building
Week 3: Surface design techniques, advanced building
Week 4: Final work time before glazing day
Week 5: Glaze demo + glazing day
Classes are non-refundable 3 days before the first class starts. Any refund requested before the 3 day cut off is subject to a $10 processing fee which will be deducted from your refund total. Purchased spots can be transferred to people. Any missed classes must be made up during your session.
I understand it is my responsibility to show up to class. I will not be refunded or credited for missed classes.
"Shared Floor is such a warm and inviting atmosphere. as someone who has taken classes at other studios, i was blown away by the amount of intention put into everything— from the space, the content Adam teaches, his dedication to coaching each person at their level, and even the materials. it feels more like a community than just a studio and i’d recommend it to anyone!" - Logan H.
"I’ve worked in three different studios, each offering something unique, but the Shared Floor ceramic studio is like stepping into ceramic heaven. Adam has clearly put a lot of thought into every detail—from the layout and organization to how the space functions. It's truly a dream to work in such a well-maintained, spotless environment, which is a rare find for independent artists. As someone who has taken classes at different studios every month for the past 10 months, I can say Adam brings a genuine level of engagement and care to each of his students. He takes a lot of pride in the Shared Floor space and ensures that everyone enjoys their experience. Adam truly believes in each student’s potential and creates an environment where learning even the hardest techniques is enjoyable.Although I’m more advanced than a beginner, I enrolled in Adam's Wheel 1 class due to my schedule. Adam quickly assessed my skill level and gave me targeted feedback to improve my technique. By the second week, I had a breakthrough on something I’d been struggling with for the past year. That 'aha' moment was a game changer for me!Thank you, Adam. All your hard work does not go unnoticed—you are a wonderful human! Thank you for sharing your passion; it's contagious." - Cory R.
"Adam's ceramics class is a fantastic experience from start to finish. It thoroughly covers all the basics to creating your own ceramic piece, making it perfect for beginners. He paces the class very thoughtfully, ensuring that each fundamental concept is well-understood before moving on to the next step. He even covers some of the nomenclature of clay, which I enjoyed. One of the standout aspects of the class is Adam's enthusiasm and openness. He was genuinely excited to answer any questions we had, no matter how basic or advanced, creating a learning environment that's very encouraging and supportive. This class is an excellent choice for anyone looking to explore or refine their skills in ceramics. Highly recommended!" - Jessica L.
"The pottery classes were the highlight of my weekends. Adam is very patient and will help in every step of the way. The general energy of the class was super welcoming plus the studio is stunning, a place you just enjoy being in. Thanks for everything Adam!!" - Angelica R.
"Thank you for opening this studio! I am thrilled to have found it and to have the opportunity to learn from you. Your passion and enthusiasm for the craft, along with your technical knowledge, are inspiring. I've enjoyed seeing the iteration of the foundation class; picking up new techniques and exploring concepts in more depth. Your approach to teaching creates a warm and inviting space where I've felt comfortable to make mistakes and explore what pottery is all about. Your intentional thought and energy have created a space that truly feels like a community while the incredible studio invites a sense of peace and creativity. I may never be a master potter, but I appreciate having a space rooted in learning, exploring, and growing. I look forward to watching Shared Floor evolve." - Briana A.
"Taking Adam’s pottery class was an amazing experience! As a complete beginner, I was nervous about throwing on the wheel, but Adam's guidance and patience made it easy to learn. His instructions were clear, and he always took the time to help each of us individually. The atmosphere in the studio is so warm and welcoming. I felt encouraged every step of the way. I’ve not only walked away with pieces I’m proud of, but also with a new passion for pottery. I highly recommend this class to anyone looking to explore their creative side!" - Rachel T.
"adam!! thank you so much for an amazing class 😊 as a beginner with zero experience, it was awesome to learn from you! your instruction was easy to follow and i love how chill the classes were. not only was i able to walk away with my own pieces— i also walked away with amazing new friends! it was a pleasure to be a part of your class and i hope to take more in the future. keep doing great things, always rooting for you! 🫶🏼" - Kelzie T.