Explore the art of wood firing in this hands-on course, culminating in a communal wood firing. Learn surface treatments, kiln loading, and firing techniques while creating work suited for atmospheric effects. Students receive a share of the firing, gaining firsthand experience in this dynamic, flame-driven process. Intermediate/advanced levels. Fee includes one share of the firing on March 28th-29th, 2026.

This class is scheduled to be held in CCS, which is only accessable by stairs.

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support the mission of HYS.

Improve throwing skills while learning the art of set making. This advanced class is for confident throwers who want to learn best practices for creating matching pieces, and groupings of work. 

Prerequisite: Intermediate to advanced wheel experience required.

This class is scheduled to be held in CCS, which is only accessable by stairs.

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support the mission of HYS.

Join this advanced throwing level class to discover how to transform thrown objects, and customize them to your unique style! Learn valuable studio tricks and tips that will boost your skills. Participate in demonstrations to acquire techniques, and enhance your work's functionality.

This class is scheduled to be held in CCS, which is only accessable by stairs.

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support our mission! Learn more about it's benefits and discounts!

Students in Magic of Abstraction will learn to experiment with concepts and ideas relating to color, depth, perception and space. Working with your medium of choice, participants will learn to break down elements of abstraction including composition and rhythm, texture, movement, and balance. 

Students may be encouraged to work outside of their comfort zone at times, or experiment freely with new techniques with the intention of broadening knowledge of the materials (increased familiarity with various mediums can provide for more spontaneity and freedom when painting abstractly). From the Bauhaus to Basquiat, and from minimalism to surrealism, participants will review and analyze abstraction throughout history and begin to understand the choices and reasons behind painting “outside of the lines.” 

Click HERE for a materials list for this course

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support our mission! Learn more about it's benefits and discounts!

Join our pottery adventure where we explore basic to advanced wheel-throwing techniques! Beginners will start by mastering clay centering and throwing cylinders and bowls, while returning students refine their personal style with advanced techniques and individual projects. Discover the art of glaze application and decoration in a vibrant group setting – don't miss out on the chance to enjoy a fantastic environment, unleash your creativity, and focus on crafting functional pots for specific foods and events this fall! Enroll now for a hands-on pottery experience!

This class is scheduled to be held in CCS, which is only accessable by stairs.

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support our mission! Learn more about it's benefits and discounts!

Two 5-Week Sessions

Curious about learning to throw but not ready to commit to a full session? This five-week sampler is the perfect way to get a feel for working on the pottery wheel. Designed for beginners, the course introduces the essentials of wheel throwing — from preparing clay and centering to shaping simple forms like bowls and cylinders.

With hands-on instruction and plenty of guided practice, you’ll gain confidence at the wheel while creating a few finished pieces of your own. This short-format class offers a relaxed, low-pressure way to explore ceramics and decide if you’d like to take your skills further in a full 10-week course.

All materials, glazes, and firings are included.

This class is held in a ADA accessable studio space

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support our mission! Learn more about it's benefits and discounts!

Enjoy the beauty of Chester Springs as we explore and express the landscape in oil paint. In this class, learn visual skills to compose a strong composition to create space and mix colors. Sky, clouds and atmosphere and their effect on the landscape will be the core of the class. Drawing with the brush will be emphasized to develop brushwork techniques and skills. Demonstrations will be conducted in simplifying and blocking in the painting with bold brush strokes and color mixing. 

Click HERE for a materials list for this class! 

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support our mission! Learn more about it's benefits and discounts!

Beginners will build a strong foundation in wheel throwing through hands-on practice and personalized instruction. Students will learn essential skills including clay preparation, centering, and shaping basic forms such as cylinders and bowls. As confidence grows, the class will explore trimming techniques, handle attachment, surface decoration, and glazing. The final weeks will focus on finishing work and preparing pieces for firing. This class is ideal for those new to the pottery wheel and looking to create functional, finished pieces in a supportive studio environment.

This class is held in a ADA accessable studio space

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support our mission! Learn more about it's benefits and discounts!