Clay Classes
Clay Creations: A Comprehensive Ceramics Class
Tuesdays, July 7 – August 18 from 12:30 to 3:30 pm
$275 + $25 Studio Fee
Limited to 7 students
In this six week class, ceramic artist Madison O’Keefe will guide students in a creative exploration of clay. This class is for adult students (ages 18+) with little to no experience in ceramics. Students will learn foundational hand building skills such as pinch, coil and slab, surface decoration, wheel throwing basics, as well as important ceramics terminology and glazing techniques. Students will typically complete around 8-10 pieces to glaze and fire. Students will have the opportunity for open studio time during Foundry open hours if needed.
If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Love @ First Throw
Monthly on First Fridays 5:30 – 7:30 pm | August 2, September 4, October 2, November 6, | $110 per couple
Looking for a fun and creative night out? Join Christine Tavares at the Foundry Art Centre during First Fridays for Love @ First Throw… a playful clay experience in our community clay classroom.
Whether you're bringing a partner or a friend, you’ll have a chance to get your hands dirty, try the pottery wheel, and create something uniquely yours. No experience necessary, just bring your sense of adventure! Students will typically complete 2 pieces to fire (one for each of you). You pick your colors, and Christine will glaze it for you. Pottery is usually ready for pick-up in 2 weeks but sometimes it takes a little longer. This class is for adult students (ages 18+) with little to no experience in ceramics. (This is a one-day class). When registering, only one name is needed to secure a spot for you + one). If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Adult Introduction to Wheel Throwing
Thursday, July 30 | 11 to 1 pm | $60
Are you ready to throw down? After this workshop, you will be! Christine Tavares will guide you in the basics of how to throw on the potter's wheel by learning how to center, open, pull and make small cups and bowls. Students will typically complete 2 pieces to fire. You pick your color, and Christine will glaze it for you. Pottery is usually ready for pick-up in 2 weeks but sometimes it takes a little longer. This class is for adult students (ages 18+) with little to no experience in ceramics. (This is a one-day class). If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Build a Custom Clay Vase
Saturday, August 29 | 2 to 4 pm | 18+ | $60
Join us for a fun and creative clay workshop where you will learn the art of hand-building a unique vase! This workshop is perfect for beginners and seasoned potters alike. Ceramic artist Maddie O’Keefe will guide you through various hand building techniques such as coiling, slab building and surface decoration. You will have the opportunity to express your creativity and design your own personalized piece. Come unleash your inner artist and discover the joy of pottery! You pick the glaze colors, and Maddie will glaze your piece for you. Your finished pottery is usually ready for pick-up in 2 weeks but sometimes it takes a little longer. This class is for adult students (ages 18+) with little to no experience in ceramics. If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Creative Coaster Making
Saturday, September 5 | 2 to 4 pm | 18+ | $50
Get ready to dive into a world of creativity at our lively clay coaster-making workshop! Join ceramic artist Maddie O’Keefe for a fun-filled, hands-on experience where you’ll unleash your artistic flair and craft your very own unique coaster set from clay. This workshop is perfect for beginner and seasoned potters alike. You will explore exciting patterns, vibrant underglaze colors and captivating textures to transform your coasters into stunning functional art pieces that will brighten up your home décor. You pick the glaze colors, and Maddie will glaze your coasters for you. Your finished pottery is usually ready for pick-up in 2 weeks but sometimes it takes a little longer. This class is for adult students (ages 18+) with little to no experience in ceramics. If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Clay Creations: A Comprehensive Ceramics Class
Tuesdays, September 8 – October 13 | 12:30 to 3:30 pm | 18+ | $275 + $25 Studio Fee
This six-week class is for adult students (ages 18+) with little to no experience in ceramics. In this series, students will receive a foundational introduction to working with clay as an artistic medium. Students will explore basic hand-building (pinching, coiling, slab construction) and wheel-throwing techniques, alongside glaze application and surface decoration methods.
Students will have the opportunity for open studio time during Foundry open hours if needed. Students will typically complete around 8-10 pieces to fire and glaze. If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Advanced Ceramics
Wednesdays, September 9 – October 28 | 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm | 18+ | $300 + $25 Studio Fee
This eight-week class is for adult students (ages 18+) with a strong foundation in ceramics*. These students will focus on refining technical mastery in clay construction such as advanced wheel-throwing and hand-building, while emphasizing individual artistic expression and conceptual development.
Students will have the opportunity for open studio time during Foundry open hours if needed. Students will typically complete around 8-10 pieces to fire and glaze. If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
*A prerequisite of at least one session of “Clay Creations” is required. Contact Christine Tavares for more information.
Adult Introduction to Wheel Throwing
Thursday, September 24 | 11:30 to 1:30 pm | Ages 18+ | $60
Are you ready to throw down? After this workshop, you will be! Christine Tavares will guide you in the basics of how to throw on the potter's wheel by learning how to center, open, pull and make small cups and bowls. Students will complete 2 pieces to fire. You pick your colors, and Christine will glaze it for you. Your pieces are usually ready for pick-up in 2 weeks but sometimes it takes a little longer. This class is for adult students (ages 18+) with little to no experience in ceramics. (This is a one-day class). If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Pottery and Petals - A Two-Part Workshop
Saturday, October 10 from 2 to 3:30 pm and Wednesday, October 28 from 6 to 8 pm** | Ages 18+ | $125
Join Education Coordinator Christine Tavares in this creative two-part workshop as she leads you in creating your own ceramic vase using hand building methods. Artists of all skill levels will design, shape, and add texture to their functional vase. You pick the color, and Christine will glaze your vase for you. This is designed to complement a second workshop on Wednesday, October 28 at 6 pm where florist Christine Lautrentius of Blushing Blooms Designs will take you through the steps in creating a beautiful fall floral arrangement for your amazing vase! This class is for adult students (ages 18+) with little to no experience in ceramics or floral design. If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able. ** This is a 2-part workshop**
Build a Custom Clay Vase
Saturday, October 17 | 11 am to 1 pm | 18+ | $60
Join us for a fun and creative clay workshop where you will learn the art of hand-building a unique vase! This workshop is perfect for beginners and seasoned potters alike. Ceramic artist Maddie O’Keefe will guide you through various hand building techniques such as coiling, slab building and surface decoration. You will have the opportunity to express your creativity and design your own personalized piece. Come unleash your inner artist and discover the joy of pottery!
You pick the glaze colors, and Maddie will glaze your piece for you. Your finished pottery is usually ready for pick-up in 2 weeks but sometimes it takes a little longer. This class is for adult students (ages 18+) with little to no experience in ceramics. If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
From Slab to Fab – Build a Charcuterie Board
Thursday, October 22 | 11:30 am to 1 pm | $55
Come play in the mud at the Foundry Art Centre and create your own clay charcuterie board! Foundry Education Coordinator Christine Tavares will guide you in creating this viral serving piece using hand building methods. You will learn the process of compressing and shaping a clay slab. You will then have the freedom to get as creative as you would like and add texture or simple customizations to make the slab your own.
You pick the color, and Christine will glaze your piece for you. Your fired and finished charcuterie board will be ready for pick-up about 4 weeks after the workshop (but sometimes sooner). This class is for adult students (ages 18+) of all skill levels. All supplies provided. If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Special Note: The piece that you are creating in this workshop is somewhat fragile. While we will provide you with all the necessary knowledge and support to successfully create your masterpiece, we must acknowledge that unforeseen challenges may arise. It's important to remember that even if you meticulously follow every instruction, there is always a chance that your piece may encounter an issue during the kiln firing process. Christine will do her best to ensure success!
Creative Coaster Making
Saturday, October 24 | 11 am to 1 pm | 18+ | $50
Get ready to dive into a world of creativity at our lively clay coaster-making workshop! Join ceramic artist Maddie O’Keefe for a fun-filled, hands-on experience where you’ll unleash your artistic flair and craft your very own unique coaster set from clay. This workshop is perfect for beginner and seasoned potters alike. You will explore exciting patterns, vibrant underglaze colors and captivating textures to transform your coasters into stunning functional art pieces that will brighten up your home décor.
You pick the glaze colors, and Maddie will glaze your coasters for you. Your finished pottery is usually ready for pick-up in 2 weeks but sometimes it takes a little longer. This class is for adult students (ages 18+) with little to no experience in ceramics. If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Introduction to Wheel Throwing
Saturday, November 14 | 2 to 4 pm | Ages 18+ | $60
Are you ready to throw down? After this workshop, you will be! Christine Tavares will guide you in the basics of how to throw on the potter's wheel by learning how to center, open, pull and make small cups and bowls. Students will complete 2 pieces to fire. You pick your colors, and Christine will glaze it for you. Your pieces are usually ready for pick-up in 2 weeks but sometimes it takes a little longer. This class is for adult students (ages 18+) with little to no experience in ceramics. (This is a one-day class). If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Monthly Community Clay Studio Memberships
(Full – Contact Christine Tavares about the waitlist)
Monthly Community Clay Studio Memberships allow pottery enthusiasts the opportunity to work independently in a fully equipped clay studio at their own pace. Members will have full access to the pottery wheels, equipment, tools, and glazes. Twenty-five pounds of white mid-fire clay is included with a monthly membership. Members will also be granted a shelf space of their own on which to keep projects in process, personal tools, etc.
Clay Studio Members will have the opportunity to be in studio as much as they desire during the Foundry Art Centre’s open business hours (Tuesday-Saturday 10 am to 5 pm). While it is a rare occurrence, the Community Clay Studio may be closed to members occasionally for large classes or special events. Members will be given access to the Open Studio Calendar and closures will be posted with plenty of notice so that plans can be made accordingly.
Bisque and glaze firings will happen weekly, and glazed pottery is usually ready for pick-up in 1-2 weeks (sometimes it is longer depending on the class schedules at the Foundry).
**If you are new to the Foundry and our Clay Program, please contact Christine Tavares before registering for a monthly membership**
Monthly Community Clay Studio Memberships
Full – Contact Christine Tavares about the waitlist
Monthly Community Clay Studio Memberships allow pottery enthusiasts the opportunity to work independently in a fully equipped clay studio at their own pace. Members will have full access to the pottery wheels, equipment, tools, and glazes. Twenty-five pounds of white mid-fire clay is included with a monthly membership. Members will also be granted a shelf space of their own on which to keep projects in process, personal tools, etc.
Clay Studio Members will have the opportunity to be in studio as much as they desire during the Foundry Art Centre’s open business hours (Tuesday-Saturday 10 am to 5 pm). While it is a rare occurrence, the Community Clay Studio may be closed to members occasionally for large classes or special events. Members will be given access to the Open Studio Calendar and closures will be posted with plenty of notice so that plans can be made accordingly.
Bisque and glaze firings will happen weekly, and glazed pottery is usually ready for pick-up in 1-2 weeks (sometimes it is longer depending on the class schedules at the Foundry).
**If you are new to the Foundry and our Clay Program, please contact Christine Tavares before registering for a monthly membership**
Tween and Teen
Tween & Teen FUNdamantals of Pottery An Introduction to Wheel Throwing
Ages 8-12, & 13-17 | $150 + $20 Studio Fee | 3 weeks | Saturdays, August 29 – September 12 | 11 am to 12:30 pm | Ages 8-14 | $125 + $25 Studio Fee
In this 3-week class, Maddie O’Keefe will introduce students to the FUNdamentals of creating art on the potter’s wheel. Students will learn the basic skills of creating work on the wheel including centering, opening, pulling and shaping. Maddie will also introduce finishing techniques such as trimming, adding handles, and glazing. This class is for ages 8-13 with little to no experience in ceramics. If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Kids
Spooktacular Clay Luminaries
Saturday, October 10 | 11 am to 12:30 pm | Ages 7-12 | $45
Learn to make adorable and spooktacular clay lanterns at the Foundry Art Centre! Foundry Education Coordinator, Christine Tavares, will lead your child step by step in using hand building techniques to bring their luminaries to life! Students will create and then glaze their lanterns in one class, and finished pieces will be ready to pick up 2-3 weeks later. If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Holiday Ornaments – Family Edition
Saturday, November 14 | 11 am to 12 pm | Child and Caregiver | $45 per Pair
The holidays are right around the corner, and this family workshop is just in time! A child and adult caregiver will learn slab techniques to create and decorate 8 -10 merry & bright clay ornaments perfect for trimming the tree or gift giving. Families will create and glaze their ornaments in one class, and the finished pieces will be ready to pick up 2-3 weeks later - just in time for the Holiday season. *Price Covers Both Participants*. If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
REFUNDS & CANCELLATIONS
Limited seats available and advanced registration required so sign up today to secure your creative seat. The Foundry Art Centre does not make up or refund classes if a student misses a class. Accommodations can be made for cancellations 14 days prior to the date of the workshop. Please contact program coordinator Christine Tavares with any concerns.
For more information contact Christine Tavares, Program Coordinator, at ctavares@foundryartcentre.org
