Wheel Course
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Curious about pottery but not ready for a full course? In this 2-hour session, you’ll get a hands-on introduction to the wheel. With our guidance, you’ll shape your very first bowl and explore the basic techniques of working with clay.
It’s the perfect way to experience the joy of wheel throwing, try something new after work or on the weekend, and see if pottery is for you - without a big commitment.
Your finished piece will be trimmed, glazed and fired by us, and ready for pickup about three weeks later.
Level: Complete beginners, no prior experience needed.
Topics: Introduction to the potters wheel
Duration: 1 session, 2 hours
Languages: German & English
Price: CHF 145 (all materials & firing included).
Group size: min. 3, max. 6 participants.
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Step into the world of pottery and discover what it means to create with your own hands. Over 6 weeks, you’ll learn the essentials of wheel throwing: shaping, trimming, glazing, and firing. With each session, you’ll see your skills grow and leave with 6–12 unique pieces - perhaps even your new favorite coffee mug.
This intimate class (max. 6 people) ensures plenty of personal guidance, a supportive atmosphere, and space to explore at your own pace.
Level: Complete beginners welcome, also great for those refreshing old skills.
Topics: Fundamentals, cylinders, bowls, trimming, glazing.
Duration: 6 sessions, 3 hours each
Languages: German & English
Price: CHF 870 (all materials & firing included)
Group size: min. 3, max. 6 participants
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Ceramics is more than a craft, it’s a practice that grows with patience and repetition. In this 6 week course, you’ll move beyond the basics and build a steady rhythm at the wheel. We’ll explore new challenges such as working with larger amounts of clay, creating plates, and adding handles, while refining your cylinders.
Level: Ideal for those who have already taken our beginner class or who have some prior experience.
Topics: Advanced fundamentals, cylinders, bowls, plates, handles, glazing.
Duration: 6 sessions, 3 hours each
Languages: German & English
Price: CHF 870 (all materials & firing included)
Group size: min. 3, max. 6 participants
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Looking for a special break without leaving the city? Our Clay Retreat offers five days of intensive, hands-on pottery in our cozy studio. You’ll practice daily, develop your skills much faster than in a weekly class, and share the experience with a small, inspiring group.
From bowls to plates and handles, you’ll explore a wide range of techniques while enjoying a mindful rhythm: five hours of creating each day, with lunch, beverages, clay, glazing, and firing included. By the end of the retreat, you’ll take home up to 15 handmade pieces - and unforgettable memories of a creative city holiday.
Level: Beginners welcome, also suitable for those with some experience.
Topics: Fundamentals of wheel throwing and handbuilding, bowls, handles, plates, glazing
Duration: 5 sessions × 5 hours (Tue–Fri + Sat for glazing).
Languages: German & English.
Price: CHF 1,280 (all materials & firing included).
Group size:min. 3, max. 6 participants.
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Tailored one-on-one sessions for all levels, whether you’re starting out, refining techniques, or looking for focused support. Together we’ll work on your goals, from centering more clay to adding handles or polishing your forms.
Duration: 2 hours (1h guided + 1h self-practice with support)
Price: CHF 180
Booking: Email us anytime with your preferred dates and times.
hello@studio-roka.com
Questions
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You can drop by without prior notice approximately 2 to 3 weeks after the course.
Ceramics can be picked up during the shop's regular opening hours. For Crash Course, Pottery Painting, and Handbuilding pick-ups, you can approach the staff in the shop; they will be happy to assist you.
If you've attended a multi-week course, you can independently locate and pack your pieces in the pick-up shelf on the lower floor. It's recommended to bring a bag for this purpose. -
It is possible to make up for one missed session of your multi-week course.
To arrange this, please contact the Studio Roka team via email. If you are aware of this at the beginning of your course, you can also reach out to your instructor directly. -
From our perspective, we advise against participating in a multi-week pottery wheel class as the lower back is heavily engaged due to the positioning on the potters wheel.
However, the decision ultimately rests with you. If you need to discontinue your course due to back pain we would like to refer you to our Cancellation Policy. Consider a heandbulding or pottery painting session instead. It is much less physically demanding. -
Pottery wheel courses are not suitable for children younger than 16 due to the required coordination skills, attention span, and the need to reach the wheel's pedal with their feet. However, children can actively participate in our hand-building courses and pottery painting sessions. Occasionally we host special events designed specifically for children.
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Currently, we don't have regular courses for children, but feel free to contact us if you are interested in a one time group event.
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In general, yes. Studio Roka offers memberships. Depending on availability, we may or may not be accepting new members. We always ensure that all our members have a spot in the open studio.
A prerequisite for membership is the completion of a Beginner, Pottery Lifestyle, or Intensive Course.
Completing a course does not guarantee you a membership spot. If you are interested in a membership, we recommend checking availability with your instructor directly. -
Yes, we offer a firing service. Bring your pieces to Roka Creative Space at Seebahnstrasse 109, 8003 Zurich.
Important information we need from you in advance via email:
- Firing temperature of the clay with a photo
- Bisque or glaze firing-Photo of the glaze you are planning to use
We only fire at the following temperatures:.
Bisque firing: 1000°C
Glaze firing: 1225°CAny occurring damages to the kiln due to incorrect information or glaze application are to be covered by the customer.
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Glazing techniques and choices require consistency and repetition to yield good results. Therefore, the facilities at Studio Roka are exclusively accessible to our members, a decision informed by our experiences over the past years.
For individual use at home, we suggest Mayco Stroke & Coat glazes. These pigment-based glazes consistently yield excellent results and do not run.
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Memberships of 3 months can not be interrupted. Memberships of 6 months can be paused once for a period of 2 consecutive weeks. Memberships with a duration of one year can be paused once for a period of one full month.
