WINTER SEMESTER 2024

Adult Ceramics Classes

NOTE: The Art Center is no longer charging a separate materials fee with the registration for a ceramics class. Ceramics tuition fees now include: class instruction, use of equipment, and the firings of works produced in class. The only additional material to purchase is clay, which is available at the Front Desk. Optional pottery tools are also available.

6598 Great Beginnings: The Ultimate Introduction to Clay
Instructor: Peter Syak
Mondays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Want to get your hands dirty and have a blast in the process? Great Beginnings is the class for you! Let’s make plates and cups with saucers, build vases, perfume bottles, a box or two, and perhaps a bit of sculpture. We will even try our hand at the potter’s wheel! This class will feature a little bit of everything, a bunch of fun, and a supportive environment.
8 sessions: 1/29–3/18
Tuition: member $373, non-member $403

6655 NEW! Back to the Basics: Refining Your Wheel Throwing Skills
Instructor: Emma Tabachnick
Mondays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Whether you’re a new potter looking to explore the fun and exciting world of wheel throwing or a more experienced potter looking to refine and improve your skills, this class is the one for you! Students will focus on building technical skills such as centering, pulling, and trimming that will help them become a better potter. The instructor will go over some basic forms like cylinders, bowls and plates to create a variety of pieces. Limited class size for maximum instruction.
10 sessions: 1/8–3/11
Tuition: member $511, non-member $541

6505 Dynamics of Throwing Functional Pottery
Instructor: Melissa Krishnamurthy
Mondays, 12:30–3 PM
This class is for those eager to experiment! The focus will be on finishing techniques, expanding on simple forms, and using a variety of methods.
10 sessions: 1/8–3/11
Tuition: member $473, non-member $503

6506 Introduction to Wheel Throwing
Instructor: Jessica Garber
Mondays, 12:30–3 PM
Enter the world of wheel-thrown pottery! Learn how to throw on the wheel, trim, and apply surface decorating techniques, including carving and glazing options. Students will learn how to create beautiful vases, bowls, and plates. Limited class size for maximum instruction.
10 sessions: 1/8–3/11
Tuition: member $511, non-member $541

6635 Magic in the Machines: New Projects with Ceramic Equipment
Instructor: Peter Syak
Mondays, 3:30–6 PM
The ceramics studio has all sorts of great equipment including extruders, a slab roller, and wheels. It also contains textures, gadgets, and hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered and become part of your designs! In this class, we will explore ways to utilize the underappreciated studio assets to create both sculptural and functional ceramic items. Along the way, we will seek out ways to develop your personal style and make our machines your friends. This class will give participants the opportunity to push clay and imagination to the limit as we create everything from perfume bottles and vases to chalices and architectural features.
8 sessions: 1/29–3/18
Tuition: member $373, non-member $403

6521 Potentials in Pottery
Instructor: Melissa Krishnamurthy
Mondays, 6:30–9 PM
Come and create beautiful pottery! Learn how to make functional and sculptural forms in clay through instructor demonstrations and personal experimentation. The focus of this class will be handbuilding techniques such as slab, pinch pot, coil, and free-form design. Use of studio equipment such as the slab roller and extruder will be included. While emphasis will be on handbuilding techniques, some instruction for wheel throwing will also be offered if requested.
10 sessions: 1/8–3/11
Tuition: member $473, non-member $503

6528 Functional Pottery: Strategies & Techniques
Instructor: Melissa Krishnamurthy
Tuesdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Ever dream of drinking coffee out of a mug you made yourself or admiring flowers in a vase of your own design? Learn a variety of ceramic techniques to make your own functional pieces of pottery. Design and decoration methods including texturing, coloring with slips, and glazing will also be covered.
10 sessions: 1/9–3/12
Tuition: member $473, non-member $503

6656 Wheel Throwing for Beginners
Instructor: Denise Banaag
Tuesdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
From mugs to bowls, the possibilities are endless when creating on the pottery wheel! In this class, students will learn all of the basics: how to throw, open, pull, and trim clay to make functional vessels. Demonstrations will include how to make handles and add other embellishments to your thrown objects. The instructor will also teach basic glazing techniques. Limited class size for maximum instruction.
10 sessions: 1/9–3/12
Tuition: member $511, non-member $541

6540 Clay Creations: Handbuilt Ceramics
Instructor: Shelley Rosen Howard
Tuesdays, 12:30–3 PM
Whether you are new to ceramics or an experienced clay artist, this class will let you explore the various methods of designing, constructing, and finishing handbuilt ceramics. Heavy emphasis will be placed on creating a solid foundation of handbuilding techniques with time for experimentation. Wheel throwing is an option and self-guided projects are always welcome. Students will be encouraged to push boundaries and explore different ways to decorate and finish their pieces including adding found objects.
10 sessions: 1/9–3/12
Tuition: member $473, non-member $503

6633 Tile-tastic! Slab-Rolled Tile Creations
Instructor: Melissa Krishnamurthy
Tuesdays, 12:45–3:15 PM
The slab roller makes creating large, uniform flat clay slabs a breeze. Slabs can then be cut into tiles for a wide array of functional and decorative pieces. Take a deep dive into the versatility of tiles while making projects such as wall sculptures, clocks, house number plaques, and more by utilizing the slab roller. This class is designed for intermediate and advanced ceramics students.
10 sessions: 1/9–3/12
Tuition: member $473, non-member $503

6550 Introduction to Wheel Throwing
Instructor: Jessica Garber
Tuesdays, 6:30–9 PM
Enter the world of wheel-thrown pottery! Learn how to throw on the wheel, trim, and apply surface decorating techniques, including carving and glazing options. Students will learn how to create beautiful vases, bowls, and plates. Individual attention will be given to each student to enhance their learning experience.
10 sessions: 1/9–3/12
Tuition: member $473, non-member $503

6551 Set the Table: Wheel-Thrown Kitchen & Table Ware
Instructor: Emma Tabachnick
Tuesdays, 6:30–9 PM
This class will focus on functional pottery such as bowls, plates, mugs, and other kitchen goods. Focus will be on form, function, design, problem-solving, and consistency. Work on building skills such as centering, pulling, trimming, finishing, and glazing. Students will develop an attention to detail while developing their own unique style. Self-driven projects are welcome. Some wheel throwing experience is recommended. Limited class size for maximum attention.
10 sessions: 1/9–3/12
Tuition: member $511, non-member $541

6488 Wheel-Thrown Pottery
Instructor: Beatrice (Jao-O) Chang
Wednesdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Study fundamentals and forms of wheel-thrown pottery as you receive step-by-step instructions for both traditional and experimental processes. You will experiment with decorative elements such as surface pattern, texture, and glazing.
10 sessions: 1/10–3/13
Tuition: member $473, non-member $503

6658 NEW! Individualized Projects in Clay
Instructor: Jessica Garber
Wednesdays, 12:30–3 PM
In this class, students will have the opportunity to enhance in their wheel throwing skills by working on a series of individualized projects and will receive personalized instruction. Students will be encouraged to enjoy the creative aspects of clay to make each project uniquely their own. Project ideas will be demonstrated in order for students to build their skill levels throughout the semester.
10 sessions: 1/10–3/13
Tuition: member $473, non-member $503

6534 Beginner/Intermediate Wheel Throwing
Instructor: Emma Tabachnick
Wednesdays, 7–9:30 PM
In this class, learn all of the basics of pottery from throwing on the wheel to trimming and applying decorative surface techniques. Learn how to create beautiful vases, bowls, and plates that can be functional. Limited class size for maximum attention.
10 sessions: 1/10–3/13
Tuition: member $511, non-member $541

6657 NEW! Pottery for Beginners
Instructor: Anthea Brown
Thursdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Here’s your chance to start working on the pottery wheel! If you’ve never touched clay or it’s been years since you have, this is the class for you. Students will learn the fundamentals to make cylinders, bowls, and plates that can be functional AND beautiful pieces.
10 sessions: 1/11–3/14
Tuition: member $473, non-member $503

6564 It’s Personal: Special Projects in Clay
Instructor: Peter Syak
Thursdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Do you have a project inside you that is yearning to get out? Can’t figure out how to get started, or worse, you have hit a snag? Perhaps you saw something cool and want to try to make it yourself. This is the class for you! Instructor Peter Syak will offer specialized instruction and his technical expertise to help you figure out what you want to create and will then help you build it. This will be a unique experience, part workshop, and part learning laboratory. This class is limited to six students so each will receive ample individual attention.
8 sessions: 2/1–3/21
Tuition: member $373, non-member $403

6573 The Joy of Handbuilding
Instructor: Peter Syak
Thursdays, 12:30–3 PM
Discover the joy and versatility in creating ceramic objects. You will explore various handbuilding techniques such as slab construction, slump molding, coil building, pinch forming, and tile making.
8 sessions: 2/1–3/21
Tuition: member $373, non-member $403

6572/6599 Throwing with Lisette Bedoya
Instructor: Lisette Bedoya
6572 Thursdays, 12:30–3 PM
6599 Saturdays, 10:15 AM–12:45 PM
Concentrate on your throwing skills with one of the Art Center’s most energetic instructors! Learn fundamentals such as centering, opening, and pulling the clay. Surface decoration and glazing will also be covered.
6572 10 sessions: 1/11–3/14
6599 10 sessions: 1/13–3/23 (no class on 1/20)
Tuition: member $473, non-member $503

6587 Taking It to the Next Level: Advanced Wheel Throwing
Instructor: Lisette Bedoya
Thursdays, 6–8:30 PM
Are you ready to step up your wheel throwing game? Through demonstrations and hands-on practice, students will work through a series of projects designed to introduce new skills to add to their throwing repertoires. Topics such as throwing lidded forms, multiple component forms, and various surface embellishments will be covered. This class is for advanced students who are proficient in basic wheel throwing.
10 sessions: 1/11–3/14
Tuition: member $473, non-member $503

6606 Ceramics for the Ultimate Potter
Instructor: Lisette Bedoya
Saturdays, 1–3:30 PM
Continue your growth as a ceramic artist. We will fine-tune our wheel throwing skills by mastering wall thickness, pottery design, and function. Explore different surface and finishing techniques. For intermediate to advanced students.
10 sessions: 1/13–3/23 (no class on 1/20)
Tuition: member $473, non-member $503