Ceramics: Beginning to intermediate (Mondays)

Welcome to Ceramics!

In this beginning to intermediate class, adult and teens (14+) are invited to learn or expand on the foundations of working with clay. Students can expect demonstrations to support learning methods in pottery wheel throwing (centering, pulling, and vessel formation) and hand-building (pinch, coil, and slab construction). After demonstrations, students may work freely on their own projects with instructor support. Additional instruction will be woven into lessons to build knowledge in the areas of surface techniques, function, design, and expression.

We highly recommend students take this class a few times before moving up. 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 our experienced instructors their questions, needs, and curiosities!

OPEN STUDIO:

Keep in mind this is not a pay to use studio or a production space. We are a non-profit that focuses on visual arts education for all ages. If we have students skipping class and only coming to open studio. That can have a negative impact on the organization as it is not in line with our mission.

Adult students currently enrolled in regular session ceramics classes, have access to posted open studio hours within the ceramics 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.  One must be a current ceramics student to use open studio.

TEENS: Open studio for teens under the age of 18 is limited to 12-15 hours a week during posted CORE hours unless an adult guardian is present in the studio with them.

SAFETY and PERSONAL ATTIRE:

We require that all ceramics students wear sturdy slip proof shoes that cover their toes. We highly advise that all students in the ceramics area not wear flop flops, any form of high heels, cowboy boots or slip on shoes in the ceramics studio. We also recommend wearing clothing that can get stained and dirty. It is also helpful to have a hair claw or tie for long hair. We have studio aprons but feel free to bring your own.

MATERIALS:

Our studio carries all the tools and materials you will need, even some specialized tools! The first 25lb bag of clay ($48) is automatically added on at checkout. This fee includes glazes, slips, firings, waxes, and supplies. A second 25lb bag may be purchased during the term. Outside ceramics materials are not allowed in our studios. Only rare exceptions to this rule are made.

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 is 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 and necessary in the learning process.  Often, students who rely heavily on learning though social media posts or YouTube make a lot of mistakes due incorrect information and lack of context. Gaining a strong foundation in a classroom environment can make for an artist who is:

1. Well rounded 

2. Technically adaptable

3. Deeply informed

4. Safe and able to progress faster

Staff and faculty will do what they can to help prevent technical problems. However, all students should expect that 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.

Staff will work with students to prevent and resolve problems. However, we cannot provide refunds for damaged, lost or stolen artwork.

UNCLAIMED STUFF!

Any unclaimed leftover moist clay, bisqueware, and glaze ware will be disposed of a few weeks into the start of each session. So, if you have something left over, make sure you claim it by gathering your items and putting a note on them. All artwork should be clearly signed with the initials or name of the maker. Having a stamp made can make this easy and fun! Please don’t throw away bisqueware or unfired clay we recycle it!

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 and jewelry holder

-             spoon rests and sauce dishes

-             1- or 2 - piece planters

-             vase, wall décor

-             abstract sculpture

-             varied sculptural forms

-             And more!

THERE WILL BE NO CLASSES THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING!!!!

LOCATION:

Visual Art Institute 2900 S 300 W, South Salt Lake, Utah

Please park on the NORTH side of the building and enter up the ramp to the front office. It is the really colorful side of the building.

INSTRUCTOR:
This class is taught by Madi. Learn more about our instructors at https://www.visualartinstitute.org/art-faculty

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! You must call and register through the front office for this discount.

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 or email us at [email protected]