New & Noteworthy Classes
Whether or not you’re new to Groundworks, we’ve got something new for you!
Every session we’ll be highlighting our new programs and calling out some fan favorites that are making a comeback to the schedule.
Check out our new and exciting offerings below!
Session 6 Registration
All classes will be available for registration Monday, September 21 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 6 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.
New Clay Classes
Japanese-Style Porcelain
8-Week Level II Specialty Wheel
This class focuses on a Japanese method of throwing porcelain off-the-hump. Each gesture is designed to maximize efficiency to create beautiful tableware. The sequence of movements becomes almost meditative as you work through the clay. It’s a great class to unlearn bad habits and develop deeper intuition and confidence in your throwing.
Tuesdays 6:30-9:00pm
Dates: October 20 - December 15
Instructor: Aaron Winston
Location: Main (3750 Canfield Street)
Cost: $335
Ages: 16+
Throw Down-Style Wheel
8-Week Level II Wheel
Soda firing is the process of creating a special kiln environment which involves introducing soda ash into the kiln to make an atmosphere that will add glaze to the pieces. Since larger forms tend to warp in the soda kiln, this class will focus on creating smaller to medium sized pieces that have a better chance for survival. No large plates or bowls will be allowed in the firing due to their higher fail rate and the need to prioritize kiln space for smaller pieces. Special attention will be paid to the process of atmospheric firing and how to plan accordingly throughout the class.
The firings throughout this class will be ^10 soda firings.
Thursdays 7:00-9:30pm
Dates: October 22 - December 17
Instructor: Sam Watkins
Location: Main (3750 Canfield Street)
Cost: $335
Ages: 16+
Older Teen Wheel
8-Week Youth Wheel for older teens (16-19)
Our adult classes are available to anyone 16+ but we understand that may feel a little intimidating to jump into, so we are now offering this intermediary class for teens aging out of the youth classes who may not feel quite ready to join the adults. This class is great for older teenagers / young adults that are new to the wheel as well as those that are further developing their throwing skills.
Classes will include both hand-building and wheel-throwing, trimming of thrown pots, slip decorating, and glazing of bisqued pieces. These classes are a great chance for students to learn a variety of techniques, ask questions, and play with clay!
Students of this class will have access to open studio on Fridays from 4:00-6:00pm starting week 2 to practice their skills.
Thursdays 6:30-8:45pm
Dates: October 22 - December 17
Instructor: Grace Flaherty
Location: Hill (1010 Aurora Avenue)
Cost: $275
Ages: 16-19
Abstract Sculpture
8-week All level Hand-building
Elevate your hand-building practice with an exploration in abstract forms—functional or decorative. Slabs, extrusions, coils, and pinching will get you started, then surface treatments are wide open to all the possibilities.
Come to class with your inspirations, sketches, and a rough plan. Then, be ready to challenge the clay to become something more beautiful than you ever thought possible!
Wednesdays 6:30-9:00pm
Dates: October 21 - December 16
Instructor: Aio Sowa
Location: Main (3750 Canfield St)
Cost: $275
Ages: 16+
Stencil Design
4-week All level Hand-building
Explore pattern and color! Use stencils to enliven your slab-built creations. In this class we'll start by having students make their own stencils, and then learn how to use these stencils with slabs for functional or decorative pieces like vases or serving dishes. All levels welcome!
Fridays 9:30am-12:00pm
Dates: October 23 - November 13
Instructor: Emily Riggs
Location: Hill (1010 Aurora Ave)
Cost: $140
Ages: 16+
Soda Fired Jewelry
4-week All level Hand-building
Love the look of ceramic jewelry? Join us for this specialty soda-fired jewelry class. Students will learn different techniques to make one-of-a-kind jewelry you can't find anywhere else. The last week of class, students will help load the Soda kiln and see how the atmospheric firing gives their pieces a truly unique finish.
Students will be limited to making jewelry sized pieces. If you want to make larger pieces for the soda firing, please take our Soda Fire class instead.
Tuesdays 7:00-9:30pm
Dates: November 17 - December 15
Instructor: Tatai Guillery
Location: Main (3750 Canfield Street)
Cost: $140
Ages: 16+
New Print Classes
Print Independent Study
4-Week Level III Printmaking
Designed for advanced, self-motivated printmaking students looking for studio access and minimal guidance. This class is intended to provide our experienced print students open lab time without registering for a specific class, and will not have an active teaching component. Students should understand that their work will be largely, if not entirely, self-guided.
Independent study students will have a designated time slot on Friday afternoons that is not open to other students. Week 1 will serve as an orientation session, where students should be able to demonstrate readiness to use the studio independently. After the first week, Independent Study students may attend any open lab during the week -- but keep in mind that regular open lab is first-come, first-served.
Students in Level III: Independent Study should meet the following requirements:
Demonstrate ability to appropriately retrieve, apply, and clean up ink
Demonstrate ability to use screens or electrolytic etching baths if using
Demonstrate ability to safely and appropriately operate the press and/or screen printing equipment
Demonstrate ability to safely use carving tools and/or drypoint tools
Demonstrate ability to clean up and discard of waste appropriately.
This class comes with 3 hours of "class time" every Friday, plus an additional 3 hours of open lab, for a total of 6 hours each week.
Fridays 12:30-3:30pm
Dates: November 20 - December 18
Instructor: Akane Kleinkopf
Location: Main (3750 Canfield Street)
Cost: $250
Ages: 16+
Linocut
8-Week Level II Relief printmaking
Expand beyond the basics of linocut in this new intermediate level relief print class! Printmaking allows the artist to create many copies of the same image, making it the perfect medium for spreading the word -- make a piece to commemorate an event, express a powerful statement, or simply share amongst friends. This class will focus on carving and printing linoleum, designing a multi-color piece, exploring reduction printing, tearing paper, and editioning. This class is 8 weeks, and comes with open lab.
Wednesdays 6:00-8:30pm
Dates: October 21 - December 16
Instructor: Renate Mairie
Location: Main (3750 Canfield St)
Cost: $290
Ages: 16+
Metalworking Classes
Level II Welding Sculptures
In this Level II welding sculptures class, students will explore the construction of geometric forms by combining various fabrication processes to assemble a complex steel sculpture. The course guides students through the entire creative cycle, from initial design, layout, and joint-preparation techniques to final detailing. Participants will expand their cutting skills using a bandsaw, plasma cutter, and cutoff wheel, while studying how materials intersect in different structural configurations. By building upon foundational welding skills, students will learn to fit and weld multiple pieces together, finishing their multi-faceted forms with handheld grinders and sanding equipment to create smooth, clean surfaces. These versatile techniques can be used to fabricate steel sculptures and complex objects of any scale for both indoor and outdoor display.
This is a level II class and and welding experience is needed.
Thursdays 9:00am-12:00pm
Dates: October 22 - December 17
Instructor: James Makely
Location: Main (3750 Canfield St)
Cost: $725
Ages: 16+
Forging a Skillet (part 1 of a 2-part class)
4-week All level Blacksmithing
Introducing our first ever two-part blacksmithing class! These back-to-back 4-week Metal classes are meant to be taken together to create a matching skillet and spatula, but students are more than welcome to take just one if that suits better.
Over the course of four weeks learn to forge a 10 inch carbon steel skillet! Use torch cutting, and forging your make the skillet with the opportunity to customize the handle.
This class has no prerequisites and is specifically set up for absolute beginners to this art form.
Tuesdays 6:00-9:00pm
Dates: October 20 - November 10
Instructor: Stuart Shirley
Location: Main (3750 Canfield St)
Cost: $415
Ages: 16+
Forging a Spatula (part 2 of a 2-part class)
4-week All level Blacksmithing
Introducing our first ever two-part blacksmithing class! These back-to-back 4-week Metal classes are meant to be taken together to create a matching skillet and spatula, but students are more than welcome to take just one if that suits better.
Forge a spatula or other kitchen cutlery over a few weeks! This class will expand on forging techniques to utilize fullering tools, spreading with the cross peen, punch and drifted holes and drawing out material.
This class has no prerequisites and is specifically set up for absolute beginners to this art form.
Tuesdays 6:00-9:00pm
Dates: November 17 - December 15
Instructor: Stuart Shirley
Location: Main (3750 Canfield Street)
Cost: $415
Ages: 16+
Multi-Studio Crossover Classes
Holiday Decorations in Clay, Wood, Glass & Metal
Ready to deck your halls? Groundworks has you covered! We're offering a brand new multi-studio crossover class that will help you get your holiday cheer on by hand-crafting some holiday objects to bring the joy of the season to your home.
Over the course of eight weeks, you will spend time in four of our studios: Clay, Wood, Glass, and Metal making a series of seasonal objects and learning a whole bunch of fun and approachable techniques in each of those art forms. In Clay, you'll spend two days learning hand-building and glazing; in Wood, you'll learn to make things on the bandsaw and lathe; followed by two days in Glass learning about fusing and flamework. We will finish up with two days in the Metal Studio where we will do some welding and a little bit of blacksmithing. Ho ho holy cow that's a lot of fun!
Thursdays 6:00-9:00pm
Dates: October 22 - December 17 (No class November 26)
Instructor: Chris Westbrook
Location: Main (3750 Canfield Street)
Ages: 16+
Cost: $500 (includes all tools and materials)
Curious about what else we offer?
See the whole course catalog for each studio by clicking on the icon below.
