Classes at Studio 540 are built around small group sessions to ensure one-on-one attention for every student. Participants experience tailored coaching leading to significant personal skill development. I simplify techniques into step-by-step, approachable instructions, helping students gain confidence in their ability to create.
My weekend workshops are an opportunity for learning, fun, relaxation, and social connection. Beyond exploring a new art form, my hope is that you’ll leave feeling inspired to bring deeper creative expression into your everyday life.
I am happy to welcome Toni Mikulka-Chang as as additional instructor! Please see her bio and Winter class offerings below
Masks are no longer required in the studio, but spacing of wheels and stations remains. In order for me to proceed responsibly with the safety of everyone in mind, I must ask that you please be vaccinated (Covid) before signing up for a class or workshop. We will be in an enclosed space. Thank you for your understanding.
My weekend workshops are an opportunity for learning, fun, relaxation, and social connection. Beyond exploring a new art form, my hope is that you’ll leave feeling inspired to bring deeper creative expression into your everyday life.
I am happy to welcome Toni Mikulka-Chang as as additional instructor! Please see her bio and Winter class offerings below
Masks are no longer required in the studio, but spacing of wheels and stations remains. In order for me to proceed responsibly with the safety of everyone in mind, I must ask that you please be vaccinated (Covid) before signing up for a class or workshop. We will be in an enclosed space. Thank you for your understanding.
Hand building One Day Workshops: March 1 & 15 With Toni
Time: 12-4 p.m. Saturday
Cost: $95/class
Mugs and handles will be the focus of this 4 hour class. Other hand building options will be explored as time allows. This is a great option for beginners to explore clay and see the possibilities.
Six-Week Introductory Wheel Throwing Class: Tuesday Nights w/ Toni
Dates: February 25th – April 1st, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Studio 540, 540 W Broad St, Nevada City, CA 95959
Cost: $315 (includes 20 lbs of clay, glazes, and firings, plus 3 hours of open studio time to practice)
Class Description:
Class Instructor: Toni Mikulka-Chang
Unlock the magic of pottery on the wheel in this six-week introductory ceramics class. Perfect for beginners or those wanting to refresh their skills, this hands-on course covers the fundamentals of wheel throwing, trimming, and glazing. You’ll learn to create functional and artistic forms, from cups to bowls, while focusing on balance, centering, and creativity. The final week culminates in a glaze session where you’ll bring your creations to life with vibrant colors and finishes. All materials and tools are provided, and each student will leave with several fired and finished pieces.
Class make-ups may be available depending on the teacher’s availability and individual needs.
Dates: February 25th – April 1st, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Studio 540, 540 W Broad St, Nevada City, CA 95959
Cost: $315 (includes 20 lbs of clay, glazes, and firings, plus 3 hours of open studio time to practice)
Class Description:
Class Instructor: Toni Mikulka-Chang
Unlock the magic of pottery on the wheel in this six-week introductory ceramics class. Perfect for beginners or those wanting to refresh their skills, this hands-on course covers the fundamentals of wheel throwing, trimming, and glazing. You’ll learn to create functional and artistic forms, from cups to bowls, while focusing on balance, centering, and creativity. The final week culminates in a glaze session where you’ll bring your creations to life with vibrant colors and finishes. All materials and tools are provided, and each student will leave with several fired and finished pieces.
Class make-ups may be available depending on the teacher’s availability and individual needs.
Six-Week Ceramic Class Schedule: Beginner to Intermediate,
Thursday Nights with Toni
Dates: February 27th – April 3rd, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Studio 540, 540 W Broad St, Nevada City, CA 95959
Cost: $315 (includes 20 lbs of clay, glazes, and firings, plus 3 hours of open studio time to practice)
Class Instructor: Toni Mikulka-Chang
Class Description:
Explore and refine your pottery skills in this six-week class designed for beginner to intermediate students. Whether you’re new to wheel throwing or looking to take your existing skills to the next level, this course will guide you through creating functional and artistic pieces with a focus on improving technique and adding more advanced design elements. Each week will include demonstrations tailored to multiple skill levels, hands-on practice, and opportunities to explore advanced forms, surface design, and glazing techniques. You’ll leave the course with finished pieces to be proud of and new skills to continue your pottery journey.
Class make-ups may be available depending on the teacher’s availability and individual needs.
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BIG BOWL Wheel Throwing Workshop
With René Sprattling Dates: Sat. & Sun., FEB. 22 & 23, 2025 Time: 10:00-4:30 p.m. Where: Studio 540, 540 W Broad St., Nevada City, CA Cost: $189, clay, tools and materials included Want to throw really big bowls? This is the workshop for you! We will practice throwing large bowls and altering while leather soft. Students must be able to throw an 8" cylinder. This is a practice workshop as time does not allow for bisque firing and glazing. However if there is enough interest to do a $45 two hour glazing workshop down the road, that can be arranged among the students and instructor. No extra cost for firing. |
Intensive Weekend Intermediate Wheel Throwing Workshop
With René
Dates: Sat. & Sun., March 22 & 23, 2025 Time: 10:00-4:30 p.m.
Where: Studio 540, 540 W Broad St., Nevada City, CA
Cost: $189, clay, tools and materials included
We will dive deeper into the techniques and practices that will lead to becoming more competent on the potter’s wheel. We will troubleshoot typical problem area’s that throwers face at this stage, as we move out of the beginners arena and move into more challenging aspects of throwing and mastering specific shapes. The focus will be on practice, and more practice. We will not be firing or glazing in this workshop due to the time constraint. So come ready to relax and have fun, without the pressure to produce. This is for potters with some experience who can throw a 4” or higher cylinder, and really want to improve their skills to move on to the next level.
To sign up, contact [email protected]. $100 deposit holds your spot. Cancellations up to 2 weeks before the course are fully refundable. Later cancellations forfeit the deposit. Payment can be by check, credit card (add 3.5 % fee), cash or Venmo. Make checks payable to Rene Sprattling, or Venmo @ Rene-Sprattling. For more information or to pay by credit card, call 530-277-1510
René has over 50 years of experience as a potter, and teacher, as well as a gallery owner. She has studied with the late Richard Ketelle, Dik Hotchkiss, Tom Coleman, Steven Hill, Vince Pitelka and Bill Van Guilder. Her work is currently in the Persimmon Gallery in Auburn, and Communal Café in Nevada City. She was a founding member of Art Works Gallery in Grass Valley, and co-owner of Mostly Clay previously in Nevada City.
With René
Dates: Sat. & Sun., March 22 & 23, 2025 Time: 10:00-4:30 p.m.
Where: Studio 540, 540 W Broad St., Nevada City, CA
Cost: $189, clay, tools and materials included
We will dive deeper into the techniques and practices that will lead to becoming more competent on the potter’s wheel. We will troubleshoot typical problem area’s that throwers face at this stage, as we move out of the beginners arena and move into more challenging aspects of throwing and mastering specific shapes. The focus will be on practice, and more practice. We will not be firing or glazing in this workshop due to the time constraint. So come ready to relax and have fun, without the pressure to produce. This is for potters with some experience who can throw a 4” or higher cylinder, and really want to improve their skills to move on to the next level.
To sign up, contact [email protected]. $100 deposit holds your spot. Cancellations up to 2 weeks before the course are fully refundable. Later cancellations forfeit the deposit. Payment can be by check, credit card (add 3.5 % fee), cash or Venmo. Make checks payable to Rene Sprattling, or Venmo @ Rene-Sprattling. For more information or to pay by credit card, call 530-277-1510
René has over 50 years of experience as a potter, and teacher, as well as a gallery owner. She has studied with the late Richard Ketelle, Dik Hotchkiss, Tom Coleman, Steven Hill, Vince Pitelka and Bill Van Guilder. Her work is currently in the Persimmon Gallery in Auburn, and Communal Café in Nevada City. She was a founding member of Art Works Gallery in Grass Valley, and co-owner of Mostly Clay previously in Nevada City.
Intermediate/Advanced Wheel Throwing with René
Dates: Wednesdays, April 30th -June 11th
Time: Wednesdays, 6-8:30
Duration: 7 weeks
Where: Studio 540, 540 W Broad St., Nevada City, CA
Cost: $315, includes #25 of clay, all materials and tools.
Instructor: Rene Sprattling
Seven weeks of exploration in clay! We will practice throwing multiples, including throwing off the hump, and improving our accuracy at repetition. We will also practice making handles for different types of vessels. Specific problem areas will be addressed. All while having fun and making friends.
Students must be able to throw a 6.5" cylinder.
To sign up, contact: [email protected] $100 deposit holds your spot. Cancellations up to 2 weeks before the course are fully refundable.Later cancellations forfeit the deposit. Payment can be by check, cash, Venmo or credit card (3.5% fee). Make checks payable to Rene Sprattling, or Venmo @ Rene-Sprattling, Or call/text her @ 530-277-1510
One make-up class for the group is scheduled per course. All glazing must be finished by the end of the course. Left over bisque ware will be forfeited to the kiln goddess.
Dates: Wednesdays, April 30th -June 11th
Time: Wednesdays, 6-8:30
Duration: 7 weeks
Where: Studio 540, 540 W Broad St., Nevada City, CA
Cost: $315, includes #25 of clay, all materials and tools.
Instructor: Rene Sprattling
Seven weeks of exploration in clay! We will practice throwing multiples, including throwing off the hump, and improving our accuracy at repetition. We will also practice making handles for different types of vessels. Specific problem areas will be addressed. All while having fun and making friends.
Students must be able to throw a 6.5" cylinder.
To sign up, contact: [email protected] $100 deposit holds your spot. Cancellations up to 2 weeks before the course are fully refundable.Later cancellations forfeit the deposit. Payment can be by check, cash, Venmo or credit card (3.5% fee). Make checks payable to Rene Sprattling, or Venmo @ Rene-Sprattling, Or call/text her @ 530-277-1510
One make-up class for the group is scheduled per course. All glazing must be finished by the end of the course. Left over bisque ware will be forfeited to the kiln goddess.
