Weekend Workshops   

*CERAMICS NOTE: Tuition includes one 25lb bag of clay for each student registered. Students should be able to lift 25lbs of clay. Tuition also covers use of shop tools and shop glazes, and some underglazes as well as kiln firings; however, students should anticipate fees for purchasing additional clay, specialty underglazes, and tools unless otherwise noted.

Additional 25lb bags of clay and introductory tool kits are $25 each and must be purchased online; show your receipt to the instructor to receive your purchase.  Or clay and tools can be purchased locally at retail stores.

Open Studio Hours: Enrolled ceramic students will be allowed limited open studio access—1 hour prior to the start of their class and 1 hour immediately following the end of their class. Additional limited open studio hours will be discussed in each class  and will be posted on the studio doors at the beginning of the session. Open studio time is intended for practicing techniques and projects covered in class; no outside work is allowed. Students are expected to observe open studio hours and follow guidelines for clean-up when working in the studio

Explore the world of handmade brushes in this two-day workshop. We will use a combination of hand and power tools to craft brushes with varying uses—from cleaning your workbench, dusting shelves, decorating ceramics, painting, and much more. We will work with a variety of plant and animal fibers, discuss their uses, and learn multiple methods of solidly constructing brushes. The workshop will be focused on learning the fundamentals, while encouraging students to think creatively. All materials will be provided by instructor; please bring a lunch both days.

What does it take to make a ring? Construction of handmade rings will be the focus of this two-day course in metal. Students will be introduced to the basic techniques of working with non-ferrous metals (copper, brass, and silver), basic hand tools, forging, forming, silver-soldering using a torch, surface embellishment, and finishing techniques. In two days, students should expect to walk away with at least two finished projects. NOTE: Please bring a bag lunch. Bilingual instruction is available. Includes a materials kit for simple projects covered in class; see *METALS SUPPLIES NOTE.

*Metals Supplies Note: Tuition for metals classes covers basic studio supplies, chemicals, and access to tools and equipment.  Some classes include a limited supply kit unless otherwise noted.  Students should anticipate additional fees for other tools, metal, and findings for their samples or projects. Please see website for specific supply list.

*Jewelry/Metals Open Studio Open studio time will be permitted prior to and immediately following class time; limited outside of class for open studio time will be discussed in class.

*SAFETY NOTE: All metals classes require a strong ability to comprehend and follow directions, with full understanding of all safety protocols, requirements, and restrictions due to the tools and equipment used in studio processes. Students should possess good upper body strength and strong hand-eye coordination. Individuals who cannot meet these requirements should not register for metals classes, as this is essential for both personal and class safety.

Learn to stitch a four-hole stab binding, yotsume toji, along with other binding variations (tortoise shell, hemp leaf and kangzi) using traditional Japanese tools and Japanese paper. Discussion about the history of papermaking in Japan including the hand printed papers of Chiyogami and Katazomi-shi. Students will experience first-hand the traditional way to back paper or cloth for the cover, learn traditional folding techniques for the inner binding threads or kayori, and how to fold the pouch-like pages.

Up your correspondence game, make your own unique cards just in time for holiday greetings. Discover the basics of letterpress printing and get hands-on experience in this two-day workshop. Learn to set wood and metal type, as well as printer’s cuts with images and print on a cylinder press. Students will design their own card, print take-home pieces for themselves, and contribute to a collaborative card swap. Includes materials; please bring a bag lunch.

Learn the tools and processes for working with flat glass to create a stained-glass panel. Cutting glass, soldering, and fabrication using the copper foil technique will be covered. All tools including grinders, cutters, and soldering irons, as well as some foil, solder, and glass will be provided for small projects. You may provide colored glass of your choice, additional supplies will be available for purchase from the instructor during class. Please bring a bag lunch.

Learn the basics of table making by building an end table for your home. You will have the opportunity to laminate a hardwood top, cut tapered legs, and join table aprons to legs using simple joinery methods. The class will give you hands-on experience with both power and hand tools, including the table saw, band saw, jointer, thickness planer, drill press, router, hand planes, card scrapers, and chisels. Includes some materials; see link below or website for a list of items needed and please bring a bag lunch.

This workshop offers a non-traditional, fresh approach to an old traditional medium. Learn how to create vivid pastel paintings by exploring basic techniques and a variety of underpainting formulas. Students will learn the versatility of using soft pastels by pushing the medium using various art mediums, tools, and supports. Prerequisite: Some drawing experience is helpful. Includes some materials; see link below or website for a materials list.