1. Is the Skill and Knowledge Level Appropriate for You?
If you are a beginner, a workshop on wood firing is probably not going to be appropriate. Working with clay is the most technical of the artisan crafts. Some classes and workshops will assume you have a base knowledge or set of skills already in place. If you aren’t certain about whether the class is appropriate for you, contact the instructor and ask.
2. What Is the Instructor's Reputation?
Does the instructor appear to be credible? How many years of experience as a potter do they have? How many years as an instructor? How did they learn clay? Is their clay knowledge and skill limited, or do they have a broad base to draw on as they teach? Do a Google search on their name. Can you find them online?
3. What do Others Say?
Ask people who have learned under that instructor in prior workshops or classes. If recommendations or testimonials from students aren’t available in the course information packet, ask for names of former students and then contact them. If you are thinking of taking a course from a college, stand outside classrooms as the class lets out, and ask the students as they are leaving.
4. Are Materials Included?
Are all the ceramic materials supplied for the class (clay, glazes, and kiln time)? Is there a materials fee? Is there a limit, such as so many pounds of clay are included but you pay for anything over that? Before signing up make certain you know what kind of materials will be supplied by the course, what supplies you may have to pay for through the instructor/institution, and what you are responsible to provide yourself.
