Summer Classes & Workshops

We have finally arrived at the longawaited summer season, and it’s time to relax your routines, and revel in the warmth and energy that these months bring. And, it’s a perfect opportunity to take a trip to the NCC studios for some uninterrupted time in clay. During summer daytime hours, many of NCC’s studios will have a bounty of Clay Campers making discoveries of their own in clay, but the evenings, weekends, and open studio hours are dedicated to you. Our summer class roster—a mix of signature classes with the added flavor of some special topics and a brand-new handbuilding course, and intriguing workshops—is sure to satisfy and sustain your clay cravings through the summer months. Our diverse cast of expert makers and teachers are ready to usher you into an energetic season of new discoveries in clay.

Take advantage of the open studio time offered to NCC students as you practice skills and incorporate classroom demonstrations into your own work. Adult students will have access to the studios during weekday evenings once Clay Camps wrap up, generally 4:30 – 9 pm, and 9 am to 9 pm access on weekends (subject to other NCC events and programming). Our education staff will happily assist you in finding the appropriate class via phone or email: 612.339.8007 x309 or education@ northernclaycenter.org.

NCC's COVID-19 protols will continue to evolve. Please visit our website for the most up-to-date information.

We encourage you to register early as our in-person classes will fill up quickly. If the class you are interested in fills up too quickly please reach out to education@northernclaycenter.org and ask to be added to the waitlist of your preferred class.

Education Access Scholarships

Applications open Tuesday, April 25

To address and help bridge financial barriers to ceramic education, NCC is implementing new scholarship options for our education programming. This will open access to the ceramic arts and welcome all who wish to learn, grow as an artist, and participate in the ceramic arts community.

We offer two scholarship options:

• a full-tuition scholarship open to artists and learners who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color

• a half-tuition scholarship open to artists and learners experiencing financial need

Students are eligible to receive only one scholarship per session. We will do our best to offer students one of their top three choices of in-person class or workshop. Once enrolled, all scholarships are non-refundable and non-transferable. Scholarship students are committed to their selected class, and the scholarship cannot be applied to a different class or term. Should a selected class cancel due to low enrollment, students will have the option to transfer classes. Previous recipients can apply multiple times per year, though priority will be given to new applicants.

Within a week of your application, you will be notified of the status of your application and will be aided in registration from there should you receive the scholarship.

Introductory

Want to learn the basics of making clay art? Get your hands dirty during five weeks of instruction, and practice in these introductory classes that focus on the basics of building and glazing techniques. These classes will have plenty of guidance for beginners, making them ideal if you have little or no experience with clay and want to test your interest. We recommend that you take an introductory class two or more times (within one quarter, or over consecutive quarters) to build your skills and prepare for Wheel or Handbuilding 201 classes and beyond. Wear old clothes, and bring an old towel, a bucket no larger than one gallon, and a beginner’s set of tools to the first class. Tool kits are available for purchase at NCC. Lab fee includes one bag of clay (25 pounds), all glazing materials, firings, and open studio access.

Wheel 101 for BIPOC Individuals

This class teaches the basics of wheel throwing in a space dedicated to individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or a Person of Color and intends to foster a safe, creative environment and introduction to clay for BIPOC folks.

I1: Mondays, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Instructor: Paola Evangelista

June 12 – July 10 (No class Juneteenth, June 19)

Fee: $140 + $20 lab fee (5% member discount)

I2: Mondays, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Instructor: Paola Evangelista

July 17 – August 14

Fee: $180 + $20 lab fee (5% member discount)

Land of Round Pots— Wheel Throwing 101

I3: Wednesdays, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Instructor: Moz Rude

June 14–July 12

Fee: $180 + $20 lab fee (5% member discount)

I4: Wednesdays, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Instructor: Moz Rude

July 19 – August 16

Fee: $180 + $20 lab fee (5% member discount)

I5: Thursdays, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Instructor: Z Kaplan

June 15 – July 13

Fee: $180 + $20 lab fee (5% member discount)

I6: Thursdays, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Instructor: Wendy Eggerman

July 20 – August 17

Fee: $180 + $20 lab fee (5% member discount)

I7: Saturdays, 10 am – 1 pm

Instructor: Claire O’Connor

June 17 – July 15

Fee: $180 + $20 lab fee (5% member discount)

Also check out our series of one-day project workshops listed on page XX—ideal for makers with little or no previous experience.

Three Graces—Handbuilding 101

Learn the basic skills for creating ceramic sculpture and handbuilt pottery through a series of projects and demonstrations. This class will introduce the three foundational methods of handbuilding—coiling, pinching, and slab-building—to provide the base for any project you might imagine.

I8: Mondays, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Instructor: Olivia Gallenberger

June 12 – July 10 (No class Juneteenth, June 19)

Fee: $140 + $20 lab fee (5% member discount)

I9: Mondays, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Instructor: Olivia Gallenberger

July 17 – August 14

Fee: $180 + $20 lab fee (5% member discount)

Wheel

We recommend that students begin their study at NCC with an introductory experience in clay, such as our Project Workshops or five-week classes (above). Beginner Throwing—Wheel 201 will take your skill set to the next level and deepen your understanding of clay to prepare you for Wheel 301 and advanced special topics classes. Our education staff will happily assist you in finding the appropriate class, via phone or email: 612.339.8007 x309 or education@northernclaycenter.org.

Beginner Throwing—Wheel 201

Take the next step on your journey with the potter’s wheel to build on your foundations and discover the secrets of making great pots. Improve your skills and learn new techniques for throwing forms such as cylinders, bowls, vases, and more, using the pottery wheel as a tool. You will learn surface treatments such as glazing, staining, and slipping, and be introduced to firing procedures. Dress for mess, bring an old towel, a bucket no larger than one gallon, and a beginner’s set of pottery tools to the first class. Tool kits are available for purchase at NCC. These classes are designed for those with some previous wheel-throwing experience, who have taken one or two Land of Round Pots sessions, or equivalent, and who feel comfortable navigating basic forms on the wheel.

W1: Wednesdays, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Instructor: Lucy Yogerst

June 14 – August 16

Fee: $360 + $40 lab fee (5% member discount)

W2: Fridays, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Instructor: Jennica Kruse

June 16 – August 18

Fee: $360 + $40 lab fee (5% member discount)

Intermediate Throwing—Wheel 301

Take your skills to the next level as you learn additional techniques for throwing more complicated forms. Refine your skills and continue to define your voice in clay. Each section has a specific focus but leaves room for personal interests and development. Each course will also include more information about surface decoration, firing procedures, and the differences between low- and high-temperature clay bodies and glazes. Designed for those who have taken several Wheel 201 classes or equivalent who are looking to refine their techniques and further develop their voice in clay.

W3: Tuesdays, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Instructor: Kevin Caufield—Focus on Quality & Larger Forms

June 13 – August 15 (no class July 4)

Fee: $320 + $40 lab fee (5% member discount)

W4: Thursdays, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Instructor: Leile Denecke—Focus on Form

June 15 – August 17

Fee: $360 + $40 lab fee (5% member discount)

W5: Saturdays, 10 am – 1 pm

Instructor: Claire O’Connor—Focus on Lidded Forms

July 22 – August 19

Fee: $180 + $20 lab fee (5% member discount)

Handbuilding

Match the relaxed pace of summer in the studio as you embrace the s-lo-w philosophy of handbuilding. This rhythm of working with clay invites your attention in new ways, and will broaden your understanding of clay processes. Challenge your knowledge of making this summer, and explore new color palettes, processes, and fresh approaches to a familiar material.

Coil Concentration

During this 5 week class, devote attention to your technical and artistic development of coil building. As an optimally versatile and dynamic way to handbuild, the sky's the limit with achievable uniqueness and endless possibilities of form. Join this class to learn and practice multiple coil construction techniques as you work through a variety of project prompts. Focus on function and/or sculpture and learn to direct and control your coiling as you play with scale and form. Explore a variety of surface decoration from engobes, stains, and glazes. Use this class as a space to experiment and be imaginative. This class is best suited to those who have previous experience, but beginners will be nurtured.

H1: Wednesdays, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Instructor: Olivia Gallenberger

June 14 – July 12

Fee: $180 + $20 lab fee (5% member discount)

Livin’ Large: Modular Handbuilding

Join Erin Paradis, 2019 Jerome Ceramic Artist Project Grant recipient, for ten weeks of dreaming—and building big—in clay. Create the larger works, functional