Birchwood Studios Maine
Fall 2025 Classes
Birchwood Studios offers a number of classes tailored to your interests, explore our upcoming classes below.
Pottery Boot Camp
There is something very satisfying about taking a lump of clay and creating a functional and decorative piece of pottery on the potter’s wheel! In Pottery Boot Camp students will learn the fundamentals of throwing and trimming, and explore surface decoration and glazing. Boot Camp runs for six weeks and each class is 1 ½ to 2 hours long. Afternoon and evening times available. Cost $180.00 per person plus a $40.00 material fee. Limit 2 students. Bring a buddy, partner or child (12 +) and get a discount! Contact me to set up a day and time for your Boot Camp experience!
Adventures in Handbuilding
Create Your Own Mushroom Bowl!
You don’t need a potter’s wheel to create your own functional pottery! In Adventures in Handbuilding you will discover how to make pottery using your imagination and a few simple tools. In this session we will be making whimsical mushroom bowls just the right size for holding rings, change or small snacks. Adventures in Handbuilding runs for five weeks and each class is 1 ½ hours long.
Cost $150.00 per person including materials. Limit 5 students. Next class starts October 7th - November 4th, 6-8 PM.
Pottery Play Date
Curious about the potter’s wheel but not ready to commit to a class? Join me in the studio for an hour of stress-free play on the potter's wheel! Come see how much fun you can have getting messy! Afternoon and evening times available.
Cost $25.00 Limit 2 people. Contact me to set up your Pottery Play Date!
De-stress with Art Series
Make your Own Accordion Book!
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
– Pablo Picasso
Life can be busy, overwhelming, and full of stress. If you're looking for a creative way to unwind and recharge, De-stress with Art might be just what you need.
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This five-week series is all about exploration, play, and mindfulness through artmaking. In a relaxed, supportive studio setting, we’ll dive into mixed media collage, experiment with color, and create small, expressive works of art. Each session offers a new theme or project to spark your imagination and help you reconnect with your creative self. In the Fall session we'll be creating accordion books!
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Cost $60 for the full series, plus a $60 materials fee. Space is limited to just 5 students to ensure a personalized experience.
Want to join us? The next session starts September 4th, 6:00-7:30. ​
Bessa's Story
Art and expression in the heart of Western Maine
While new to Farmington, Bessa has been teaching for decades; blending her knowledge of instruction with her joy of creating.
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Her artistic passions include wheel pottery, hand building, printmaking, mixed media painting and more.
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While not in the studio, she can be found co-leading the Greater Franklin Food Council community garden, wandering the woods gathering inspiration for her artwork or of course, spoiling her grandchildren.
