Clay Classes
Adult
This combined class is for adult students (ages 18+) with varying levels of experience in ceramics.
Level 1 students who have little to no experience will 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.
Level 2 students will continue to build on techniques learned in Ceramics Level 1. Students will also have the opportunity to tackle lidded forms, pouring forms, combination forms (thrown + hand built), large bowls, and matching sets. 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. 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.
Classes are 8 weeks, 2.5 hours per week
$275 + $25 Studio Fee
Limited to 12 students
Wednesdays, September 3 – October 22 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Love @ First Throw
Monthly on First Fridays 5:30 – 7:30 pm | September 5, October 3, November 7 | $100 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.
Pumpkin Spice Clay
Friday, September 19 | 11:30 to 1:00 pm | $45
Cute clay pumpkins? Yes please! Join Christine Tavares for a fun and creative workshop where you'll learn to handbuild your own three-dimensional ceramic pumpkin! Using slab building techniques, you’ll texture the clay and shape it into a beautiful pumpkin design. You will form, decorate and glaze your piece all in one workshop. Your fired and finished pumpkin will be ready for pick-up two to three weeks after the workshop. This class is for adult students (ages 18+) of all skill levels. 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, October 24 | 11:30 to 1:30 pm | $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 2 pieces to fire. 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). If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Foundations in Wheel Throwing with Nina W. Tarr
In this six-week class, artist Nina Tarr will introduce students to the fundamentals of using the pottery wheel to create stoneware pottery. This class is for adult students (ages 18+) with little to no experience in ceramics but more experienced potters are welcome to join! The focus of this six-week session will be on skills such as wedging, centering, pulling forms, surface treatments, trimming, handles, and glaze application.
Each class will begin with a demonstration and the students will then practice. Nina will circulate during the practice time and provide individual coaching. Students will complete small functional pieces such as bowls, cups, and mugs depending on skill level and student interest. Students typically complete 8-10 pieces of finished and glazed pottery to take home. All supplies will be provided. Dress to be messy! 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 is 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.
Classes are 6 weeks, 2 days per week, 3 hours per week
$300 + $50 Studio Fee
Limited to 6 students
Tuesdays and Thursdays, November 4 – December 11 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm each session
Adult Introduction to Wheel Throwing
Saturday, November 1 | 11:30 am to 1:30 pm | $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 2 pieces to fire. You pick your colors, and Christine will glaze it for you. Pottery is 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. (This is a one-day class). If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Let’s Make a Tree
Friday, November 21 | 11:30 am to 1:30 pm | $45
Come play in the mud at the Foundry Art Centre and unleash your creativity this holiday season by creating your very own ceramic holiday tree. Under the guidance of Christine Tavares, you'll learn slab building techniques to shape the clay into beautiful unique tree that reflects your personal style. You will form, decorate and glaze your piece all in one workshop. Your fired and finished tree will be ready for pick-up two to three weeks after the workshop. This class is for adult students (ages 18+) of all skill levels. All supplies provided. Dress to be messy! If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
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 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
Teen Introduction to Wheel Throwing
Saturday, September 20 | 2-4 pm | Ages 13+ | $50
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 2 pieces to fire. 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 teen students (ages 13+) with little to no experience in ceramics. Dress to be messy! If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.
Tween Introduction to Wheel Throwing
Saturday, October 4 | 2 to 4 pm | Ages 10+ | $50
Just for tweens, 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 2 pieces to fire. 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 tween students (ages 10+) 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
Clay Together
Monthly on Thursdays or Fridays at 11 am | September 11, October 9, November 14, December 12 | Ages 3+ | $50 per Pair
Clay Together invites little hands and their grown-up sidekicks to spin, shape, and create together! Designed for children ages 3 & up and their parent or caregiver, this playful pottery wheel class offers a fun introduction to clay, creativity, and collaboration. No experience needed, just a sense of adventure and a willingness to get a little muddy! Couples will complete 1 piece to fire. You pick your colors, and Christine Tavares will glaze it for you. Pottery is usually ready for pick-up in 2 weeks but sometimes it takes a little longer. (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.
Pet Portrait – Clay Edition
Saturday, September 6 | 12 to 1 pm | Ages 7-12 | $40
Foundry Education Coordinator, Christine Tavares will lead students in a fun one hour clay class celebrating pets! Students of all experience levels are invited to participate in this hand building workshop. Students will create and then glaze their portraits in one class. Students will create and then glaze their sculptures 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.
Frightfully Spooky Lanterns
Saturday, October 4 | 11:00 am to 12:30 pm | Ages 7-12 | $40
Learn to make adorable and spooktacular clay lanterns! Foundry Education Coordinator, Christine Tavares, will lead you step by step as you use hand building techniques to bring these 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.
Let’s Make a Mug
Saturday, November 1 | 11:00 am to Noon | Ages 7-12 | $40
Get ready for hot cocoa season by creating your very own ceramic mug! Foundry Education Coordinator, Christine Tavares, will lead you through hand building techniques to create your very own mug. Gift this special creation or keep it for yourself. Students of all skill levels are invited to participate. Students will create and then glaze their mug 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 8 | 11 am to 12 pm | Child and Caregiver | $40 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
