Adult & Teen Clay Classes
Ceramics Level 1
Classes are 6 weeks | 2.5 hours per week | $250 + $25 Studio Fee | Limited to 6 students
This class is for adult students (ages 18+) with little to no experience in ceramics. In this series, you’ll learn the basic methods of working with clay including important terminology, tools, handbuilding techniques, surface decoration techniques, and have an introduction to throwing on the wheel.
Students will have the opportunity for open studio time during Foundry open hours if needed. Students will typically complete around 3-5 pieces to fire and glaze, all finished pieces will be available for pick-up 2-3 weeks after the classes. If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Sessions
Wednesdays | 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Winter | January 8 – February 12
Early Spring | March 12 – April 16
Ceramics Level 2 Prerequisite required
This class is only open to students 18+ that have taken Ceramics Level 1 and want to continue to build on their skills. In this session, students will continue to build on techniques learned in Ceramics Level 1. Students will also have the opportunity to tackle lidded forms, pouring forms, and sets of multiples. Glazing will be covered in more detail and the firing process will be discussed in depth. Class syllabus is subject to change depending on students' goals.
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.
Wednesdays | 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Spring | May 7 - June 11
Clay Wall Vase
Friday, March 21 | 11:30am to 1:30pm | $45
Join Christine Tavares for a fun and creative workshop where you'll learn how to hand-build a unique and functional wall vase! Using slabs of clay, you'll create a vase that lays flat against your wall, making it perfect for displaying bunches of wildflowers, propagating plants, or showcasing a small potted plant. This class is for adult students (ages 18+) of all skill levels. You will glaze your piece the same night, and finished pottery is ready for pick-up in 2 weeks but sometimes it takes a little longer. All supplies provided. Dress to be messy! If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Adult Introduction to Wheel Throwing
Friday, April 18 | 11:30am to 1:30pm | $50
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 around 3-5 pieces to fire. You pick your colors, and Christine will glaze it for you. Usually pottery is 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. All supplies provided. Dress to be messy! (This is a one-day class). If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Adult Introduction to Wheel Throwing
Saturday, May 10 | 11am to 1pm | $50 - Limit 6
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 around 3-5 pieces to fire. You pick your colors, and Christine will glaze it for you. Usually pottery is 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. All supplies provided. Dress to be messy! (This is a one-day class). If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
From Clay to Cup: A Demonstration with Nina W. Tarr
How to Make a Mug from Start to Finish | Wednesday, May 21 | 11 am to 12:30 pm | $20 – Limit 20
Join Nina W. Tarr for an exclusive visiting artist demonstration and conversation at the Foundry Art Centre. Nina will take participants on a journey from start to finish on the making of a ceramic mug. From wedging the clay to glazing the finished mug, Nina will narrate and demonstrate each step so that future ceramic artists will feel confident in their creating. Bring your favorite mug and explore with the group why it is your favorite. All registrants will be entered into a raffle to take home one of Nina’s mugs as well! Registration is limited so grab your seat before it is gone! If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Nina W. Tarr is an American ceramics artist who primarily makes functional stoneware pottery in her home studio in Empire, Michigan She seasonally at Center Gallery in Glen Arbor, Michigan and Higher Art in Traverse City, Michigan. Most of her work is created on the wheel, but she integrates elements associated with hand building.
Nina began making pottery at the East Lansing Community Center in Michigan, has participated in programs at more than six studios in the Midwest. She has taken intensive workshops from Cynthia Bringle at Penland School of Crafts, Matt Long at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Jeff Oestrich at the Glen Arbor Arts Center and Liz Zlot-Summerfield also at the Glen Arbor Arts Center. Her primary mentor has been John Huston who is the Master Potter at the Glen Arbor Arts Center.
Before becoming a potter, Nina was a Professor of Law who spent much of her career at the University of Illinois College of Law as well as other law schools. She is a passionate teacher who enjoys breaking down complex skills into manageable lessons for her students.
Nina now spends part of her year in Creve Coeur, Missouri and looks forward to periodically teaching at the Foundry Art Centre. Nina will join us this fall to teach Wheel 1: An Introduction to Throwing on the Potter’s Wheel. Details and registration information coming soon!
Rectangular Planter
Friday, May 30 | 11:30am to 1:30pm | $45
Come play in the mud at the Foundry Art Centre as you create your own rectangular planter! Whether it be succulents, herbs, or tropical plants, your plant babies will love the new home that you create for them in this workshop. You’ll roll up your sleeves and get dirty with clay as you learn the process of hand building with clay slabs. You will form, decorate, and glaze your piece all in one night. Your fired and finished planter will be ready for pick-up two to three weeks after the workshop. This class is for adult students (ages 18+) with little to no experience in ceramics. All supplies provided. Dress to be messy! If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
New to the Foundry – Monthly Community Clay Studio Memberships
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 34” x 14” 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).
Monthly membership to the Foundry Art Centre Community Clay Studio is $125 per month.
*If you are new to the Foundry Clay Program, please call Christine Tavares for more information. (636) 255-6188
Teen Clay Classes
Teen Introduction to Wheel Throwing
Saturday, April 12 | 11am to 1pm | $45
Just for teens, this workshop will introduce the basic skills of throwing on the potter’s wheel including centering, opening, pulling, and shaping. Each student will use their creativity to create small cups and bowls. Students will typically complete around 3-5 pieces to fire. Students will glaze their favorite pieces, and finished and fired work will be ready for pick-up in 2 weeks (sometimes it takes a little longer). This class is for teen students (ages 13+) with little to no experience in ceramics.
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
