Clay is the way! Break away from the hardness of teen life and have fun with soft and squishy clay. Newbys and those familiar with clay can expect to have plenty of creative freedom. Our experienced instructor (a high school teacher and professional artist) will guide them in their journey. This class will offer teens the chance to learn the basics of throwing on a potter’s wheel and hand-building for those who prefer it. Topics may include, coiling, pinching, and building methods for slab. Wheel lessons will cover techniques in centering, dropping the hole, and raising the walls. Emphasis during instruction will be placed on freedom of expression and exploration. Additional instruction will be woven into lessons to build knowledge in the areas of glazing and surface decoration. We recommend teens take this class a few times. While projects can very, practice and repetition in an instructor led environment are powerful tools for progressing. Students are highly encouraged to support each other and communicate with instructors their course related questions, needs, and curiosities!
This class is taught in English.
We will NOT have class the week of Thanksgiving.
OPEN STUDIO:
Students enrolled in current, regular session ceramics classes, have access to open studio hours within the ceramics area. Hours are posted in the studio by the information area. Sign in is required and while the schedule changes slightly each session, access is unlimited for those over the age of 18. Average weekly access includes 30+ hours outside of class time. All students must become familiar with and follow our clay studio rules which are posted and emailed. Pottery wheel access is, first come, first serve. Students should expect occasional posted closures of some parts of the clay studio for special groups such as birthday parties and corporate retreat classes.
Open studio for teens under the age of 18 is limited to 12-15 hours a week during CORE hours unless a parent is present in the studio with them. No exceptions.
PERSONAL ATTIRE:
Personal apron, closed toed and slip proof shoes. A personal water bottle and clothing you don’t mind getting stained or dirty.
MATERIALS:
Our studio carries all the tools and materials you will need to get started. The first 25lb bag of clay ($48) is automatically added on at checkout. This fee includes glazes, slips, firings, waxes, and supplies. A second bag may be purchased during the term. Outside ceramics materials are not allowed in our studios.
If you have questions about the ceramics facility and/ or classes or if you would like to donate a bag of clay for community outreach classes, you can send an email to: [email protected]
ABOUT OUR CLAY BODIES:
For student use we carry moist, water-based clay in 25lb bags from 2 different regional manufacturers as well as, carefully processed, de-aired pugged recycled clay. We offer 6-8 recipes of varied stoneware clay bodies which are midrange in temperature. Color choices include whites, tans, browns, dark reds, and speckled clays.
CERAMICS CAN BE TRICKY!
While clay is a fun and therapeutic material, it is also quite technical. The learning curve can be steep. Though students often find the technical side fascinating! Unexpected changes and damage to objects made such as warping, cracking, breaking, and glaze defects are common in the learning process. Staff and faculty will do what they can to help prevent technical problems. However, all students should expect that technical hurdles are a part of the learning process and at times even necessary for learning. Not all artwork will survive handling, glazing, and firings. Students are responsible for keeping track of their own artwork. Any unclaimed leftover moist clay, bisqueware, and glazeware may be subject to removal in the following session.
TECHNIQUES AND SKILLS COVERED
- Throwing
- Pinching
- Coiling
- Slab building
- Intuitive formation and planned formation
- Joining parts and problem solving
- Surface treatments
- And more!
CORE COMPETENCIES:
- Shaping clay in 3 foundational methods.
- Wheel based object formation.
- Timing and clay consistency.
- Navigation of technical problems.
- Realizing imagined forms in three-dimensional space.
- Relationship of effort and success to trial and error.
- Impact of practice and peer-to-peer support.
POSSIBLE PROJECTS:
- Cups, mugs, tumblers
- Soup, sauce, desert and salad bowls
- Desert and dinner plates
- ring holder
- spoon rests and sauce dishes
- 1- or 2-piece planters
- vase, wall décor
- abstract sculpture
- varied sculptural forms
- And more!LOCATION:
Visual Art Institute 2900 S 300 W, South Salt Lake, Utah
INSTRUCTOR:
This class is taught by Danielle. Learn more about our instructors at https://www.visualartinstitute.org/art-faculty
DROP-INS:
This class is NOT open for drop-in students. Projects take multiple weeks to complete. We are unable to have people drop-in to this class.
REFUND POLICY:
We are only able to offer refunds up to 2 weeks before the start of class. We do not offer refunds or credits or make-up classes to students who miss class.
TRANSFER POLICY:
We may be able to transfer you to a different class depending on space availability.
CLASS CANCELLATION:
We find that students learn better in larger groups. If we feel the number of registrations is too low to promote a good learning environment, we may cancel the class. In the event we cancel a class, we will reach out to you as soon as possible.
TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:
We try to make our classes as accessible to everyone as possible. We are able to offer a limited number of tuition assistance scholarships each term. You can complete an application on our website or call our office for assistance applying. Applications are available in Spanish and English.
MULTI-CLASS DISCOUNT:
When you register for more than one class, you can receive a discount up to 10% per class!
ADA ACCESSIBILITY & ACCOMMODATIONS:
Our classrooms are ADA accessible. Some courses may involve tasks or activities that may be difficult for individuals with limited strength, difficulty bending over, and sitting or standing for long periods of time. We are happy to work with students to find solutions to make their experience positive and doable. For example, wheel throwing takes arm strength and bending over the wheel. Students may work on hand-building projects instead of throwing. Please reach out to our office to discuss your needs.
DIFFICULTY REGISTERING?
Please call our main office for assistance! 801.474.3796
Participants must be 11 years to 17 years old when the program starts.
Registration starts on 05/18/2025 and ends on 09/24/2025.
Please contact Visual Art Institute if you have any questions.