Clay Adult Classes

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Session 2 Registration

All classes will be available for registration February 2 at 8:00am.

You can view specific class information and descriptions by following the class link in the drop down menus. You can also view the entire Session 2 Catalog here.

Please review our standard refund policy before registering.

We offer scholarships!
You can apply and receive up to two scholarships annually for 50% off the cost of a class. Pay What You Can classes do not qualify (but you can save even more by signing up for one).

Please fill out a scholarship application.

Membership Studio

Are you beyond needing instruction and are an independent potter looking for space to do your own work? We offer memberships for independent artists looking for space to do their work!

Please check out our Membership Studio page for more information about what we have to offer.

Crossover Clay Classes

Animal Masks

Come explore the intriguing world of mixed media.  We will be utilizing coil and slap built clay forms embellished with carved and sculpted wooden elements to create an  animal like mask to hang on the wall.  The clay forms can be decorated with a variety of techniques that will be covered in class.  The finished wooden elements will be cleverly attached after firing. Students are encouraged to bring in other mixed media elements to add to their sculptural pieces to make them truly unique.  This 8 week class will take place in the clay and wood studios,  beginning with clay mixing in wood carving days and finishing with assembly.

Mondays 9:00-11:30am
Dates: Mar. 2 - April 20
Instructor: Margaret Josey-Parker and Julia German
Location: Main (3750 Canfield St.)
Cost: $355
Ages: 16+

Register
A print with a blue border and the text "a portrait of a spoon" in the center, surrounded by six decorative icons. Two rows of three spoons, each with a different shape, material, and color, are placed around the print on a gray surface.

Exploring Through Spoons

Big spoon or little spoon? You don't have to pick in our very first 4-studio crossover class: Exploring Through Spoons!

In this 4-week class, you'll get a lightning-fast introduction to our Clay, Wood, Metal, and Print studios. Each week, the students will be in a different studio learning the material through the ancient practice of spoon making (seriously, spoons are, like, 3,000 years old)! Weeks 1-3 will be spent making physical spoons through hand-building in clay, carving out of wood, and forging in metal. The last week will be spent learning linocut to make a one-of-kind print of their spoons, culminating in a display of craftsmanship for the ages.

Tuesdays 7:00-9:30pm
Dates: Mar. 3 - Mar. 24
Instructor: Ella Mernyk
Location: Main (3750 Canfield St)
Cost: $245
Ages: 16+

Register

Tuesdays 7:00-9:30pm
Dates: Mar. 30 - April 20
Instructor: Ella Mernyk
Location: Main (3750 Canfield St)
Cost: $245
Ages: 16+

REGISTER
Three ceramic coffee mugs on a wooden table, each with a unique design and words like 'Nice' and 'Have a good day', with chairs and a window in the background.

Screen Printing on Clay

Have you ever wanted to make your own underglaze transfers? This is the class for you!  

We will learn a great deal about how to make screens for screen printing, how to use them and how to create images for the screen. We will then take our screens to the Clay studio and print both directly onto clay and use transfers. 

This class will offer some instruction for hand-building, but the main focus will be learning how to print on clay. As such, we recommend that only folks with previous hand-building experience sign up. Print newbies are encouraged!

Tuesdays 7:00-9:30pm
Dates: Mar. 3 - April 21
Instructor: Akane Kleinkopf
Location: Main (3750 Canfield St)
Cost: $330
Ages: 16+

Register

Lamp Throwing and Turning

Looking for a lamp, but can’t find the perfect one for your space? Come make your own in the clay/wood crossover!

In this 8 week class, you will learn how to make and assemble your own lamp. We will spend 4 weeks in the clay studio throwing and decorating ceramic bases. The remaining 4 weeks will be spent in the wood shop learning how to use the lathe, turning lamp parts and then assembling the final product. One lamp kit per student will be provided but bulbs and shades will need to be purchased individually. Ceramic throwing experience is necessary, no previous wood experience is required.

Thursdays 8:30-11:00am
Dates: Mar. 5 - April 23
Instructor: Jamie Commando
Location: Main (3750 Canfield St)
Cost: $380
Ages: 16+

Register

Wheel-Throwing Classes

5-Week Sampler Classes

Totally new to pottery? We‘ll provide all the clay and tools and teach you the basic techniques. You'll leave with a few finished pieces and a familiarity with the potter's studio. Great for first-time students.

Wheel Samplers will focus strictly on wheel-throwing techniques. Studio Samplers
will cover wheel and hand-building techniques.

Sampler classes DO NOT include open lab.

8-Week Level I Classes

This class will cover the basic “how tos” of pottery. Students will learn the foundations of throwing, including how to confidently center, pull, and trim pots on the wheel. The class will also cover basic glazing techniques, attaching handles, and how to track your pieces through the studio.

Level I Classes at HILL and MAIN include open lab.

8-Week Level II Classes

These classes go beyond the basics. Students will learn how to make more complex forms and techniques including: altered forms, lidded jars, and throwing off-the-hump, have more consistency and make sets, and how to apply decorating techniques like waxes and sgraffito.

Level II students should be able to comfortably center clay and throw a cylinder.

Level II Classes at HILL and MAIN include open lab.

8-Week Level III Classes

These classes are focused toward intermediate/advanced students that want to learn more technical skills and studio processes. These classes will show more advanced techniques, such as how to make larger and more complicated pieces. You will learn more about materials and different processes. Students with individual learning goals or special projects are welcome to join this class.

Level III students should be able comfortably center clay and make many different forms.

Level III classes at HILL and MAIN include open lab.

Hand-Building Classes

4-Week, All Levels Sculptural Hand-Building

These 4-week classes are a great way to try out the hand-building studio. Through a variety of themed or free-form projects, students will learn the basics of pinching, coiling, and slab building. These classes change every session so don’t miss out!

These classes DO NOT include open lab.

5-Week Hand-Building Sampler

Always wanted to try hand-building, but didn't know where to start? This class is a great intro to the studio in 5 short weeks!

This class is intended to get you familiar with the basics of hand-building. Students will learn techniques like pinching, coiling, and building with slabs. This class is ideal for those who have limited experience, but are looking to learn more with a short instructor demo and hands-on assistance each week.

Sampler classes DO NOT include open lab.

8-Week Level I Hand-Building

Level I Hand-building for students wanting to explore the basic techniques for hand-building functional, sculptural, or decorative pieces.

Learn about the various hand-building tools, and the three basic hand-building techniques: pinching, coiling, and slab rolling through a series of self-guided projects.

8-Week Level II Hand-Building

For students of all levels who want to focus on taking their hand-building techniques to the next level.

Learn about the various hand-building tools, create functional and sculptural pieces, and work on a variety of decoration practices.

Adaptive Clay Classes

Adaptive Clay

This class is offered exclusively to adults with acquired or life-long developmental, physical, or intellectual disabilities. 

Our instructors and assistants facilitate creation of projects in clay, in a calm and supportive environment with access to adaptable wheels and tools. Students can choose to try wheel-throwing and/or hand-building. This class provides an intimate social environment, class limit is 10 students with 1 instructor and multiple assistants. Caregivers are welcome.

Mondays 9:30am - 12:00pm
Dates: Mar 2 - April 20
Instructor: Amelia Dickerson
Location: Main (3750 Canfield St)
Ages: 16+
Cost: Pay What You Can

Class will be available for registration February 2 at 8:00am

Sensory-Friendly Clay

This class is designed specifically for individuals who benefit from a sensory-friendly studio environment.

It features lower lighting, a smaller class size, and a quieter atmosphere with minimal conversation and gentle instruction. Our instructor and assistant support students in creating clay projects in a calm and welcoming space. The class is limited to 8 participants and includes access to 3 pottery wheels as well as hand-building areas.

Tuesdays 12:00-2:30pm
Dates: Mar 3 - April 21
Instructor: Sam Watkins
Location: East (3063 Sterling Cir)
Ages: 16+
Cost: Pay What You Can

Class will be available for registration February 2 at 8:00am

Friday Afternoon Club (FAC)

This class is offered exclusively to folks living with acquired/traumatic brain injuries (ABI).

Our instructors and assistants facilitate creation of projects in clay, in a calm and supportive environment. We’ll explore hand-building and wheel-throwing, working with each individual to determine appropriate projects and methods. This class provides an intimate social environment (class limit is 10 students, with 1 instructor and 2 assistants), while sharpening motor skills and visual perception, improving focus, mental flexibility, perseverance, and creativity.

Fridays 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Dates: Mar 6 - April 24
Instructor: Sara Hailey
Location: Hill (1010 Aurora Ave)
Ages: 16+ 
Cost: Pay What You Can

Class will be available for registration February 2 at 8:00am

To register for any of these Adaptive Clay Classes, please reach out to Sara Hailey, to make sure the class will fit your needs.

sara@groundworksartlab.org