Intro to Ceramics

This will be a combination class, in that we will do hand building and throwing. The first 4 classes you will make a new slab item, or item that is extruded, as well as have time to try your hand at throwing.  The class will meet Wednesday evenings April 6, 13, 20, 27 and May 4 and 10 from 7 – 9.  

Week One  – make a vase . We will cover basic ways to decorate a handmade ceramic pot. Topics include applique, sgraffito, underglaze design, slip trailing, among others…Students will make a vase using an extruded tube. Decoration will focus on clay applique, but students are encouraged to explore their own designs. Students will throw 2 balls of clay, of which they can keep one. 

Week Two – make a leaf platter – students will make a slab serving platter, using flora to decorate. The method is much like creating a fossil of leaves and flowers that may be out at the time. Students will throw 2 balls of clay, of which they can keep one, as well as trim pots made from the previous week. 

week three – make a bowl – Students will make a bowl that uses texture as the decoration. The bowl is made on a mold that is finished on the wheel, giving it a wheel thrown appearance.  They will trim their pots from the previous week.  If there is time, half the class will throw on the wheel.

week four – make a plate – students will make a plate that uses sgraffito to decorate the plate. Sgraffito is Italian for “scratch” and the technique involves scratching a design on the surface of the plate. Trim pots made from previous week. The half of the class that did not get a chance to throw the previous week will throw on the wheel. 

week five – get all pots ready for glazing – finish sgraffito plates. 

week 6 – glaze your pots – finish all pots in process

Assuming all pots survive the firing process, which is not always a given, students should have 7 pots to glaze, and potentially take home. The objective of the class is to introduce students to several aspects of pottery and give students an appreciation for the art form.

Adults only please. Please also familiarize yourself with my studio rules. 

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