Grow and Play with Clay

Join us for some fun experiential learning in the medium of water-based stoneware clay. With us, students will have the opportunity to advance in dexterity, spatial reasoning, and problem solving through participation in playful step-by-step projects. Each class period there will be a new guided project with wiggle room for personal creativity and flair! Traditional hand-building techniques such as pinching, coiling, and slab-building will be taught along with colorful surface techniques. Our projects vary every session, allowing for participants to return with their friends and learn the power of practice by building upon their abilities while exploring new ideas.
PERSONAL ATTIRE: 
Clay and ceramics studios can be messy business. Please make sure your child wears clothing you (and they) don’t mind getting dirty. We do not recommend students wearing flip flop or slip on shoes. We do recommend close toed shoes. Staff and faculty do not provide snacks. Bringing a water bottle is encouraged. 
MATERIALS:
All materials and tools are provided for this class. 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]

TECHNIQUES AND SKILLS: 
- Pinching 
- Coiling 
- Slab-building
- Hollow building
- Intuitive formation 
- Planned formation 
- Joining parts
- Glazing and other surface treatments
- And more!
CORE COMPETENCIES:  
- Shaping clay in 3 foundational methods. 
- Combining building methods.
- Timing and clay consistency. 
- Forming strong bonds between parts. 
- 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: 
- Lidded forms
- Rocket ships
- Mini planters
- Mini monsters
- Dioramas
- Fishbowl Scenes
- Masks / Portraits 
- Food Maquettes
- Inventions based on prompts 
- Domestic / functional - Plates
- Domestic / functional - Cups
- Domestic / functional - Bowls
- Domestic / functional - Boxes
- Domestic / functional – Planters

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. Students should be escorted in and out of the building by parents as the parking lot gets very busy.

INSTRUCTOR:
This class is taught by Molly Wireman. Learn more about our instructor sat https://www.visualartinstitute.org/art-faculty

DROP-INS:

We recognize that families may not always be able to commit to weekly class attendance. To ensure proper planning and staffing, all modified schedules must be arranged in advance through our front office. Families are required to provide a clear attendance schedule for their child, and tuition will be prorated accordingly based on the approved schedule.

Trial classes and drop-in attendance are available on a limited basis and must also be scheduled in advance with the front office. We do not accommodate same-day, unscheduled drop-ins.

Failure to arrange attendance or drop-in requests ahead of time may result in the student being unable to participate in 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! 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]