Information
OVERVIEW
This class will introduce students to the beauty of ceramics and clay sculpting. We will focus on three hand building techniques: pinching, coiling, and slab methods. Students will create at least one functional and/or decorative medium size clay piece while learning various ways to form and manipulate clay. A variety of decorating and finishing techniques will be introduced as well. Students will be able to independently create ceramic pieces beginning with sketched ideas and ending in a finished product. No prior experience required.
SCHEDULE AND CONTACT HOURS
6 Week Course. 24 total contact hours.
Monday 6pm-8pm and Wednesday 6pm-8pm
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
-
How to safely work in a ceramics studio and understand clay properties
-
How to use pinch, coil, and slab hand building techniques to create sculptural forms
-
Construct stable, hollow ceramic sculptures
-
Apply basic surface textures and decoration
-
Understand drying, firing, and glazing processes
-
Complete at least one finished ceramic sculpture
Course Outline
Week 1: Introduction to Clay & Hand-Building Basics
-
Studio orientation and safety
-
Clay properties and preparation (wedging)
-
Introduction to pinch forms and simple sculpture
-
Exercise: Pinch-built sculptural form
Week 2: Coil Building & Form Development
-
Coil construction techniques
-
Joining methods (scoring and slipping)
-
Building volume and balance
-
Project Begins: Coil-built abstract or functional sculpture
Week 3: Slab Construction & Structure
-
Slab-making methods
-
Slab joining and reinforcement
-
Preventing cracking and warping
-
Project Continued: Slab or combined-technique sculpture
Week 4: Surface, Texture & Refinement
-
Additive and subtractive surface techniques
-
Texture tools and found materials
-
Refining form and details
-
Preparing work for drying and bisque firing
Week 5: Glazing & Surface Finishing
-
Introduction to underglazes and glazes
-
Glaze application methods
-
Choosing surfaces for sculptural work
-
Glazing bisque-fired pieces
Week 6: Final Review & Critique
-
Presentation of finished sculptures
-
Group critique and discussion
-
Review of techniques learned
-
Care, display, and next steps in ceramics
Materials Needed
-
Texture tools / found objects
-
Sketchbook
-
Clothing to get dirty
-
Clay (school provided)
-
Basic hand-building tools (school provided)
-
Underglazes and glazes (school provided)
-
Apron (school provided)
Special conditions
General Policies:
- Spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
- 50% enrollment required to run class.
- Registration is complete only after we receive full payment.
- Payments are billed separately through Square Invoicing after online registration is initiated.
- If payment is not received within 2 weeks the registration will be cancelled to allow others to sign up.
- Additional clay is available for purchase.
- When creating your masterpiece, please be aware that over-sized and/or odd shaped pieces may delay the firing process because they don’t fit in the kiln well.
- Clay sometimes cracks while drying or breaks in the kiln. Taking a class does not guarantee the success of your project. While we do our absolute best to prevent such an occurrence, some outcomes simply can't be controlled by our staff.
- You have 45 days after your class to return and pick up your fired piece(s). The studio reserves the right to sell, donate or discard anything left longer.
- Payments accepted: Cash, Check, Zelle, CashApp, Venmo, Paypal, but Credit Cards preferred. $35.00 cash fee for all NSF returned checks.
Refund/Cancellation Policy:
- A $20 processing fee is incurred for cancellations made greater than two weeks prior to class start.
- Cancellations made within the two weeks prior to class start window are not eligible for a refund.
- Cancellations must be made in writing via email elpasoclayguild@gmail.com
- We will transfer your registration to a different class (where space is available) at no additional cost if notified before close of business the previous Friday before the start of the class.
- Missed classes a.k.a. “No Shows” are not refunded and are not eligible for transferring to a different class. Make-up classes are not included. You may schedule a make-up time at $10 per hour outside of the class after attending the first two weeks in class.
- All refunds will be issued by written check mailed to the home address on the registration form.
What’s Included:
- Detailed demonstrations and guidance from instructor.
- Use of studio tools and studio equipment.
- Electric Kiln firings up to Cone 6.
- 25 lbs of clay and studio glazes are included in the class fee. Clay is available to purchase separately thereafter.
Contacts
Email addresselpasoclayguild@gmail.com
Event dates
Location
Clayworks Pottery School, 2323-B Alameda Ave., El Paso, Texas, United States, 79901