Clay Classes

Beyond Basic Handbuilding

Instructor: Laura Korch

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.

Tuesdays [6 weeks] October 18 – November 22; 12:30 – 3:30pm*

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Completion of Handbuilding 101 or equivalent.

Class fees by level: NC State Students – $105 Public – $170

[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].

Continuing Wheel

Instructors:
Section A – Sherry Nicholson
Section B – Heather Rhymes
Section C – Jake Goodnight

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.

Section A: Tuesdays [6 weeks], August 23 – October 4 [skip Aug. 30]; 12:30 – 3:30pm*
Section B: Thursdays [6 weeks], August 25 – September 29; 6:30 – 9:30pm
Section C: Tuesdays [6 weeks], October 18 – November 22; 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 – $105 Public – $170 +

[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].

Exploring Mason Stains [Workshop]

Instructor: Amie Hodges

A two-day workshop exploring the many different ways to incorporate color into your work without the use of glaze. First learn how to mix powdered pigments called mason stains into soft clay to achieve a range of colors and tones. Then explore many different application techniques such as inlay, nerikomi, and marbleizing to create a wide variety of surface designs. You will use both the handbuilding and wheel studios to create your work. Class fee includes 25 pounds of clay, mason stains, and specialty tools needed during class.

Saturday, September 24; 10:00am – 1:00pm
Saturday, October 1; 10:00am – 1:00pm

Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction to Potter’s Wheel class and Handbuilding 101 class, or equivalent.

Class fees by level: NC State students – $70 Public – $95

[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].

Extruded Sculptures [Workshop]

Instructor: Laura Korch

A giant studio grade play-dough press is at our disposal, a clay extruder. Using a clay extruder, you can utilize various die shapes to create elaborate forms, both hollow and solid. Compositional sculptures will be explored in this class. Learn to enhance your sculptures with discussions about the basic 12 elements, or principles of visual design; Contrast, balance, emphasis, movement, white space, proportion, hierarchy, repetition, rhythm, pattern, unity, and variety. These principles of design work together to create something that is aesthetically pleasing and optimizes the user experience. This class will move in the environment of laughter and experimentation. Leave your expectations and the door and come explore. Class fee includes two 25-pound bags of clay.
Notes: Participating students that do not hold a studio membership will be contacted individually for glazing appointments, post bisque firing, by the studio manager.

Tuesdays [6 weeks] August 23 – September 27; 12:30 – 3:30pm *

Skill Level: All skill levels
Prerequisites: None

Class fees by level: NC State students – $135 Public – $205

[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].

Get Curvy: Building a Spiral – Functional or Sculptural [Workshop]

Instructor: Rosalie Midyette

Building complex curves, undulating forms and silky silhouettes can be daunting but oh-so-satisfying! In this class, you will be encouraged to find the flow by evaluating your connecting lines and stylized texture. Construction will be traditional hand building techniques like slabs, coils, and carving. Supply fee includes one 25-pound bag of clay and use of specialty tools needed during class.

Friday, October 14; 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Saturday, October 15;10:00 – 1:00 pm
Sunday, October 16; 12:00 – 3:00 pm

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Completion of the Beyond Basic Handbuilding class or equivalent

Class fees by level: NC State students – $70 Public – $105

Handbuilding 101

Instructors:
Section A: Laura Korch
Section B: Heather Rhymes

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.

Section A: [6 weeks] Thursdays; August 25 – September 29; 6:30 – 9:30pm
Section B: [6 weeks] Tuesdays; October 18 – November 22; 6:30 – 9:30pm

Skill Level: Beginner
Prerequisites: None

Class fees by level: NC State students – $105 Public – $170

[Class includes a PUNCH CARD and eligibility for a CLASS PASS]

Introduction to Potter’s Wheel

Instructors:

Section A – Donna Breniman
Section B – Jake Goodnight
Section C – Charlene Poisel
Section D – Donna Breniman

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] August 22 – October 3 [skip Sept. 5]: 6:30 – 9:30pm
Section B: Tuesdays [6 weeks] August 23 – September 27: 6:30 – 9:30pm
Section C: Fridays [6 weeks] August 26 – October 7 [skip Sept. 23]: 6:30 – 9:30pm
Section D: Mondays [6 weeks] October 17 – November 21: 6:30 – 9:30pm

Skill Level: Beginner
Prerequisites: None

Class fees by level: NC State Students – $105 Public – $170

[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].

Large Platters

Instructor: Laura Korch

Transform large platters into a real work of art. Final pieces can be hung on your wall for storage maximization when not being used as a special serving piece. Create one of a kind custom large platter utilizing the extruder and slab roller. Bring in inspirational imagery, photos, and details of famous works of art to begin our process. We will work together to organize your imagery in creating the form and shape of your platter. Supply fee includes one 25-pound bag of clay, use of a choice selection of AMACO Velvet Underglazes, and specialty tools needed during class.

Thursdays [6 weeks] October 6 – November 10; 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 – $145 Public – $215

[Class includes a PUNCH CARD and eligibility for a CLASS PASS]

Slab Coils: Functional and Sculptural

Instructor: Rosalie Midyette

Slabs of clay are commonly used for flat, or slightly rounded forms, but slab coiling is an effective technique for making large or complex shapes. You will first roll out a slab and then cut “coils” or “panels to begin building your artwork. You will learn that this is an efficient and sturdy way to start a new project and it is a quick process for gaining height. Demonstrations of slab preparation, attaching, paddling, stretching, and carving will be shown to guide you as you apply new techniques to your own ideas. Class fee includes one 25-pound bag of clay.

Mondays [4 weeks] September 26 – October 17 [skip Oct. 10]; 6:30 – 9:30pm

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Completion of Handbuilding 101 class or equivalent.

Class fees by level: NC State students – $80 Public – $125

Surface Decoration [Workshop]

Instructor: Wei Sun

Want to add your own unique designs to your pottery? This 2-day workshop will cover a wide variety of surface techniques such as carving, stamping, sgraffito, inlay, transfer, resist, brushwork, slip decoration and more. to stamping leather-hard greenware with your designs. Learn about relevant glazing techniques to complete your surface design. During the workshop, you will have the opportunity to practice on their own work.

Notes: You are encouraged to bring your own decoration tools such as knives, carving tools, brushes, etc. though some are available in the studio. You must bring your own leather hard greenware (4-5 leather hard pieces] and bisqueware [4-6 pieces] for hands-on practice during the workshop. Clay used during the workshop must be purchased at the Crafts Center; non-members will need to purchase a bag of clay at the Center prior to the start of class.

Saturday, November 5; 10:00am – 1:00pm
Sunday, November 6; 12:00am – 3:00pm

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Completion of Intro to Potter’s Wheel class or the Handbuilding 101 class, or equivalent.

Class fees by level: NC State students – $25 Public – $50

Teapots [Workshop]

Instructor: Sherry Nicholson

Put the kettle on – let’s have a cuppa! Teapot instruction includes construction of the teapot body, lid, feet, spout, handle, and surface decoration. You will be creating parts in a variety of forms on the pottery wheel, fine tuning your overall design of your ideal teapot. Class fee includes one 25 lb. bag of clay (which includes firing) and use of studio tools needed during class.

Saturday, September 10; 10:00am – 2:00pm
Sunday, September 11; 12:00 – 4:00pm

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Completion of Continuing Wheel class or equivalent. You must be able to consistently turn a 6-inch-tall cylinder form.

Class fees by level: NC State students – $60 Public – $90

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 processing charge of 25% of the registration payment or $25 (whichever is less) will be assessed and the remainder refunded.
• 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.