Clay Classes
BEYOND BASIC HANDBUILDING
Instructor: Rosalie Midyette
An intermediate level class – basic handbuilding experience is necessary. Coiling, soft and hard slab construction and extruding techniques are just the beginning. Students will be challenged to create complex forms using basic skills, exciting templates and embellishing designs with multiple parts, layered textures or slips. Decisions regarding concept and design will determine the flow of each class. Projects may include boxes with drawers, woven baskets, or functional sculpture inspired by nature and animals. Studio time outside of class is strongly suggested to build skills as well as finish class projects. Class fee includes one 25 lb. bag of clay and use of specialty tools needed during class.
Mondays [6 weeks] May 16 – June 27 [skip May 30]: 6:30-9:30pm
Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Completion of Handbuilding 101 or equivalent.
Class fees by level: NC State Students – $100 Public – $170 Register for this class»
[Class includes a PUNCH CARD and eligibility for a CLASS PASS]
CONTINUING WHEEL
Instructor: Heather Rhymes
So you’ve conquered the basics and you’re ready for more — Continuing Wheel is the next level of pottery wheel instruction. Projects include refining skills used for pulling handles, turning matching and consistent forms, small plates, and lidded jars. This class will not review introductory level wheel skills, such as centering and raising cylinders, so please be ready to work beyond the basics! Practice time outside of class is strongly suggested to finish class projects. Class fee includes one 25 lb. bag of clay.
Thursdays [6 weeks] May 19 – June 23: 6:30 – 9:30pm
Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction to the Potter’s Wheel class or equivalent and confident, basic wheel skills; centering, raising cylinders, working with 2 pounds of clay or more on the wheel..
Class fees by level: NC State Students – $100 Public – $170 Register for this class»
[Class includes a PUNCH CARD and eligibility for a CLASS PASS]
EXTRUDED PLANTERS [Workshop]
Instructor: Laura Korch
Dedicate a warm summer Saturday in our cool studio to spicing up your favorite indoor or outdoor greenery with new, custom planters! Design and create with your own style in mind, just what those plants deserve. Utilize our Brent and North Star clay extruders in the studio to manipulate clay into one large planter or a few small planters. Supply fee includes two 25 lb. bags of clay (which includes firing) and use of studio tools needed during class.
Notes: Participating students that do not hold a studio membership will be contacted individually for glazing appointments, post bisque firing, by the studio manager.
Section A: Saturday, June 4; 10:00am – 5:00pm [one hour lunch break from 1 – 2pm]
Section B: Saturday, June 18; 10:00am – 5:00pm [one hour lunch break from 1 – 2pm]
Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Completion of the Handbuilding 101 class or equivalent.
Class fees by level: NC State Students – $95 Public – $135 Register for this class»
HANDBUILDING 101
Instructor: Laura Korch
An introductory level class – no experience necessary. Pinching, coiling, soft and hard slab construction and extruding are the main methods of hand-building that this beginner level class introduces. You will create functional as well as sculptural forms, such as cups, mugs, bowls and lidded boxes. Surface decoration through slips, stains, and wax, as well as glazing, will be a significant aspect of this class. Studio time outside of class is strongly suggested to build skills as well as finish class projects. Class fee includes one 25 lb. bag of clay and use of specialty tools needed during class, plus use of a storage locker for the duration of the class.
Tuesdays [6 weeks] May 17th – June 21 12:30-3:30pm*
Skill Level: Beginner
Prerequisites: None
Class fees by level: NC State students – $105 Public – $175 Register for this class»
[Class includes a PUNCH CARD and eligibility for a CLASS PASS]
INTRODUCTION TO THE POTTER’S WHEEL
Instructors:
Section A – Sherry Nicholson
Section B – Jake Goodnight
This class is designed to introduce students to working in our clay studio and covers the This class is designed to introduce students to working in our clay studio and covers the fundamentals of clay preparation, throwing, and finishing. ITTPW can also serve as a great refresher course of basic wheel skills: wedging, centering, raising, trimming, and glazing. This class is also perfect for anyone looking for a little help before moving on to the next level! Have you spent some time behind the pottery wheel but aren’t feeling quite centered yet? Register and learn to feel confident when raising and shaping walls into vase forms, mugs and bowls. Practice time outside of class is strongly suggested to develop throwing skills. Class fee includes one 25 pound bag of clay plus use of a storage locker for the duration of the class.
Section A: Mondays [6 weeks] May 16 – June 27 [skip May 30]: 6:30 – 9:30pm
Section B: Tuesdays [6 weeks] May 17 – June 21: 6:30 – 9:30pm
Skill Level: Beginner
Prerequisites: None
Class fees by level: NC State Students – $105 Public – $175 Register for this class»
[Class includes a PUNCH CARD and eligibility for a CLASS PASS]
*Note: Parking on campus weekdays prior to 5:00pm requires a Visitor Parking Permit [$10 daily].
QUILTING WITH CLAY: NERIKOMI 101
Instructor: Amie Hodges
Discover the magic of Nerikomi. Nerikomi is a Japanese handbuilding technique which uses colored clay to create a pattern. Learn how to color clay using mason stains as well as experiment with different techniques of creating patterns. After creating your clay patterns you will then use them to create an object or vessel. Supply fee includes one bag of clay (25 pounds), mason stains, and use of specialty tools and glazes.
Notes: You will want to wear clothes that you can get dirty for at least the first couple of classes as mason stains will stain clothes. You may also want to bring latex gloves for mixing mason stains in the clay if you don’t want their hands to be stained as well.
Thursdays [6 weeks] June 16 – July 21; 6:30 – 9:30pm
Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction to Potter’s Wheel class, Handbuilding 101 class, or equivalent.
Class fees by level: NC State Students – $110 Public – $170 Register for this class»
[Class includes a PUNCH CARD and eligibility for a CLASS PASS]
Register for classes
See Crafts Center registration guidelines and instructions »
Cancellations
Most of our classes fill quickly so there is often a wait list. Late notice cancellations require considerable processing and labor to try and fill the reserved seat. Therefore, cancellations under 10 days are not able to be refunded unless we can fill the space.
• If cancellation occurs 10 or more days prior to the start of a class, a 75% refund of payment will be issued; 25% of payment is assessed for processing charge.
• If cancellation occurs less than 10 days prior to the start of a class, a refund cannot be issued unless the space can be filled. If the space is able to be filled, a 50% refund of payment will be issued.
If you find you need to cancel out of a class you have registered for, you must drop the class via Reporter», our new online registration system
Cancellation requests will not be accepted at the main desk or via phone or email.
Absences
To receive an optimal experience and get the most out of the class, attendance is important as there are no provisions for make-up sessions for missed classes.
Wait Lists
Names are accepted on waiting lists via Reporter» after a class is full until the day the class begins. Wait lists are only valid for the current semester’s class – wait lists are not carried over to the next semester.