Classes at The Guild
Classes are three hours long and typically meet once a week for eight weeks. Tuition covers glaze materials and kiln firing; however students should anticipate additional fees for clay and some tools. In order to attend the lab and use the studio outside of class, you must be currently enrolled in a class. Open studio times are subject to change, but are typically Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday afternoons.

Yahoo, Raku! (Monday mornings)
Focus on handbuilt and thrown forms designed to take advantage of the Raku firing process. Class includes glaze and slip techniques that are unique to Raku. For beginning to advanced students.

Surface Enhancement (Monday afternoons)
This class covers glaze and slip techniques for surface enhancement. We’ll cover stencil, underglaze, wax resist, sgrafitto, and spraybooth techniques. For beginning to advanced students.

Developing a Personal Vocabulary in Clay (Tuesday mornings)
This is an advanced class open to those ho have mastered general throwing and handbuilding. Instruction will cover more advanced throwing, handbuilding and glazing techniques appropriate to functional, sculptural and decorative work fired in high temperature reduction kilns. Students work together in a cooperative atmosphere to enhance their individual goals. For advanced students.

First-Time Potter (Tuesday evenings)
A great introduction to the ceramic arts! Try your hand at a variety of clay techniques before you choose your focus. You’ll learn basic skills in handbuilding and wheel throwing, offering you the opportunity to experiment and discover what you like best. While perfect for the beginner, this class provides continuing students with individualized instruction as they progress at their own pace.

Coffee & Clay "On the Run" (Wednesday mornings)
Drop the kids off at school and join us for coffee while you experiment with clay! This class is designed for beginners, but all levels are welcome. Non-car-poolers are invited as well, as you try your hand at a variety of techniques, decorate your work with glazes and textures, and even make a few mugs of your own. Brief presentations relating to the topic of the week will be provided, and we anticipate plenty of lively group discussions, sure to trigger more creative sparks.

Mix It Up! (Wednesday afternoons)
Have fun creating unique items, such as a vase, bottle, or jar, by "mixing" or combining sections of clay using the various handbuilding techniques of coil, slab, and pinch. While primarily designed to concentrate on handbuilding methods, students experienced on the wheel may incorporate thrown sections into their project, if desired. For beginning to experienced students.

Advanced Handbuilding Techniques (Wednesday evenings)
Explore techniques for assembling and constructing works, including use of thrown parts. This class will foster personal development through creative thinking and skill enhancement. With discussions and demonstrations, students will enhance problem solving abilities while addressing form, function and aesthetics in their work. For experienced students only.

Big Pots! (Thursday evenings)
Learn techniques for combining thrown forms into that lightweight, big pot! Learn about the balance between aesthetic and utilitarian considerations that can determine the difference between a pot you like to use and a pot you love to use. With attention to details, explore wheel throwing techniques that will enable you to "throw large and light". Students should have some wheel experience.

Special Projects (Friday evenings)
From glaze testing and experimentation, to carving and piercing thrown or altered pieces, this class provides individualized instruction to experienced students who want to work independently on constructing their pieces – whether handbuilt or thrown on the wheel. Students can also explore the vast possibilities of surface decoration, utilizing oxides, terra sigillata, and other methods . For experienced students only

Creative Approaches to Working with Clay (Saturday mornings)
This class concentrates on throwing skills for the beginning and intermediate student, and also explores the fundamentals of handbuilding. Beginning students who focus on the wheel will learn the basic skills of centering, opening, and pulling vessels, in preparation for throwing cylinders, bowls and cups. Continuing wheel students will concentrate on improving their throwing skills, and will have an opportunity to form bowls, lids, baking dishes, goblets, mugs and pitchers. Students interested in handbuilding will undertake a variety of projects that utilize slab construction, round and flat coil construction, pinch-forming methods, surface texturing, carving, and other techniques. For beginning and experienced students.

Clayworks (Monday & Tuesday evenings, Thursday & Friday mornings)
Explore new construction techniques, develop, then fine-tune your throwing skills, and learn interesting decorative applications in this ongoing series of classes for adults.　 Individual attention from instructors, interaction with other students, and hands-on demonstrations provide an exciting environment for clay artists, from beginning to advanced students.　
As a beginner, you will experiment with a variety of hand-building methods, learn the basics of glazing, and be introduced to throwing on the potter’s wheel.　 As an intermediate or advanced student, you will be able to take advantage of each individual instructor’s expertise as you expand your skills, experiment with glazing and decorative surface options, and focus on your own specific interests. For beginning to advanced students.

Clay Workshops

Saturday "Clay Collaborations"
Saturday afternoon workshops pair young artists (4+) and teens with parents, grandparents, siblings, or other special family friends to create magical memories while working together on clay projects. Tuition covers 2 people working on one project and includes all tools, supplies, glazes and firings. Additional persons in a group can be added for $25/student. Work will be ready for pickup approximately 2 weeks after the workshop.

Open Studio
Students enrolled in classes are encouraged to practice and/or continue working on specific projects during "open studio" time. Although instructors are not present, the studio environment encourages communication and collaboration if you encounter a challenge while constructing or glazing your work. Attendees may be asked to assist in loading or unloading kilns, as these activities are handled by volunteers in the clay department. Plan to present your Studio Access Card to the studio attendant upon arrival.

Fall 2007 Open Studio Times:
Tuesdays 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. (Children’s classes begin promptly at 4:30)
Thursdays 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. (Children’s classes begin promptly at 4:00)
Fridays 1:00 – 7:00 p.m. (Adult "Advanced Projects" classes begin at 7 pm)
Sundays 1:00 – 7:00 p.m.