Ceramics
The Cermaics program serves nearly 500 adult students each year in a positive, creative, community atmosphere. The ceramics program offers classes on hand-building, wheel-throwing, raku, glazing, digital embellishments and much more. Students also have the opportunity to participate and learn from visiting artists during workshops that are offered frequently throughout the year.
Course Requirements
Students registering for ceramic classes should be physically capable of lifting up to 25 lbs. Intermediate and advanced students will be required to spend time outside of the scheduled class period to load, fire, and unload kilns (under appropriate supervision). Currently, students registered for an in-person studio ceramic class will only be allowed practice time on the same day their class is scheduled on. Open studio hours will not be available at this time. Students registered for online classes will have assigned times to drop-off and pick-up work from firing as well as for in studio glazing.
Materials List
Classes not listed here will either have required materials in the class description, discuss needed materials during the first class, or the materials will be supplied.
Class details (meeting times, tuition, etc.) are listed below.
Ceramic Class Notes
Tuition now includes one 25lb bag of clay for each student registered. Students should be able to lift 25lbs of clay. Tuition also covers shop glazes, and some underglazes as well as kiln firing; however, students should anticipate fees for purchasing additional clay, specialty underglazes, and tools unless otherwise noted. Additional 25lb bags of clay and introductory tool kits are $20 each and must be purchased online; show your receipt to the instructor to receive your purchase. Or clay and materials can be purchased locally at retail stores.
Open Studio Hours
Open Studio Hours: Enrolled ceramic students will be allowed limited open studio access—one (1) hour prior to the start of their class and 1 ½ hours immediately following the end of their class. Limited open studio time for students to practice will be determined at the beginning of the session; times will be discussed in each class and posted on studio doors. Open studio time is intended for practicing techniques and projects covered in class; no outside work is allowed.
Registration Information - Summer 2023
Classes are open-enrollment to the community. Class registration is a simple process. Read 'How to Register' below to get started. Click here to view all registration policies and guidelines, including information on payments, class withdraws and cancellations, refunds, and more.
- Click the 'Register Now' button below to begin the registration process.
- Click onto 'Sign In' at the top right side of the page.
- To sign in, enter your user name and password. If you do not have an account, you can create one quickly by specifying a user name, password, and email address.
- Navigate to your desired course. Click the 'Add to Cart' button associated with the course.
- After completing the registration process and remitting payment, you will receive an email containing your registration confirmation.
Ceramics Classes - Summer 2023
Course Description
This class will focus on the basic skills of wheel throwing—centering, opening, and pulling clay into shape—followed by learning to form bowls, cylinders, and cups. Students will also learn to evaluate form and how form serves a vessel’s function. NOTE: Sections SP1, SP2, and SP3 will work in mid-range clay and oxidation glazes. Section SP4 will work in low-fire clay and glazes. Class tuition includes one 25lb bag of clay per student; see Ceramic Note*.
Instructor
- Section A: Lyn Woods
- Section B: Matthew French
- Section C: Lyn Woods
- Section D: Lyn Woods
Dates
- Section A: Tue, May 30 – Aug 1 (No class Jul 4) 6:00 – 9:00pm
- Section B: Wed, May 31 - Jul 26 | 9:30am - 12:30pm
- Section C: Fri, Jun 2 – Jul 28 | 6:00 – 9:00pm
- Section D: Mon, Jun 5 – Jul 31 | 9:30am – 12:30pm
Location
Wheelthrowing Studio | McAllister Building
Sessions
9
Tuition - Regular
$340
Tuition - Friends
$325
Course Description
Fundamental handbuilding skills and techniques will be covered including pinch pots, coil building, and slab construction with a focus on fun, artful, and utilitarian forms as well as surface techniques to add decorative elements to make the work truly one-of-a-kind. The class will work in low-fire terracotta clay and glazes; students will learn how to use these materials for the purpose of handbuilding. See *CERAMIC NOTE.
Instructor
Lisa Nigro
Dates
Thu, Jun 1 - Jul 27 | 6:00 - 9:00pm
Location
Handbuilding Studio | McAllister Building
Sessions
9
Tuition - Regular
$340
Tuition - Friends
$325
Course Description
Expand and refine your throwing skills through the forming of bowls, cups, lids, pitchers, and the assemblage of two-part forms. Presentations and discussions will cover how to integrate form with function. This class will use high-fire Balcones clay and gas fired reduction glazes. *See Ceramic Note. Students should have completed at least two Introductory to Wheelthrowing courses.
Instructor
- Section A: Ed Escobedo
- Section B: Heather Hamilton
Dates
- Sat, Jun 3 - Jul 29 | 10:00am - 1:00pm
- Section B: Mon, Jun 5 – Jul 31 | 6:00 – 9:00pm
Location
Wheelthrowing Studio | McAllister Building
Sessions
9
Tuition - Regular
$345
Tuition - Friends
$330
Course Description
Majolica was first introduced to Italy during the 16th century and was heavily influenced by Hispano-Moresque decorated wares of Muslim Spain. Today, Majolica refers to a white, opaque tin-based glaze, composed of frits and tin oxide. Through demonstrations and lectures, students will be introduced to both traditional and non-traditional methods of glaze applications and construction techniques. Handbuilding techniques will be demonstrated and presented; those experienced in wheelthrowing can work independently to create pottery forms but will not be demonstrated in class. The pieces will be fired at low-temperature in electric kilns using a red earthenware clay body. Prerequisite: Students must have completed one handbuilding class or one wheelthrowing class. Class tuition includes one 25lb bag of clay per student; see Ceramic Note*.
Instructor
Maria Gould
Dates
- Wed May 31 - Jul 19 | 1:00 - 4:00pm
- Section B: May 31 – Jul 19 | 6:00 – 9:00pm
Location
Handbuilding Studio | McAllister Building
Sessions
8
Tuition - Regular
$325
Tuition - Friends
$310
Course Description
This class will strive to create pots that optimally showcase and complement the beauty of a plant, as well as provide for its good health. Through lectures, demonstrations and critiques visual aesthetics and functional considerations for different types of plantings will be examined. Pot size can range from very small to very large and planters can be for a single plant or for several. Techniques will primarily cover wheel thrown and altered forms using low-fire clay bodies, but handbuilders are welcome too. Additional techniques to be covered are slab, coil, carving, and relief applications. Planter bases such as saucers, trays, and stands will also be covered. Prerequisite: Students must have completed at least two beginning level wheelthrowing or handbuilding classes. Class tuition includes one 25lb bag of clay per student; see *CERAMICS NOTE.
Instructor
Linda Perez
Dates
Thu, Jun 1 - Jul 27 | 9:30 - 12:30pm
Location
Wheelthrowing Studio | McAllister Building
Sessions
9
Tuition - Regular
$340
Tuition - Friends
$325
Course Description
Independent Study is designed for advanced level students who are self-motivated, technically capable of firing kilns, willing to push their creative abilities, and wish to create a body of work during the term. This class will focus on functional and sculptural handbuilding approaches using Cinco Rojo clay and mid-range oxidation firings. Students should come prepared with a written proposal of the goals or projects they plan to accomplish during the term. The instructor reserves the right to reject proposals that are outside the limitation of the class time and studio. Decoration options will include white and colored slips, underglazes and cone 6 glazes; other options may be acceptable depending on the requirements of each student’s individual project proposal. Prerequisite: Students must have had a minimum of three advanced level classes. Class tuition includes one 25lb bag of clay per student; see *CERAMICS NOTE.
Instructor
Pamela Barclay
Dates
Tue, May 30 - Aug 1 (No Class Jul 4) | 9:30am - 12:30pm
Location
Handbuilding Studio | McAllister Building
Sessions
9
Tuition - Regular
$340
Tuition - Friends
$325
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