EDUCATION

Tile Making for Everybody

Have a project in mind or want to learn the secret behind creating flat, visuallyengaging decorative or functional tiles? This is the course for you! Spend ten weeks exploring the possibilities of creating dimensional tile-work with methods like sgraffito, resists, decorating with slips and glazes, relief, and tricks for creating multiples. Instructor Elizabeth Coleman will offer demonstrations to equip you to start your project, whether that be creating accent tiles for a backsplash, decorative wall pieces, or to simply inspire and give you a jumpingoff point. Learn to integrate planning, design, and skill to build a composition or colony of ceramic tiles tailored to your imagination. All skill levels and experiences with clay are welcome.

H3: Fridays, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Instructor: Elizabeth Coleman June 16 – August 18

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

Special Topics Classes

Novelty in Wheel-Thrown Ceramics

We all love the classics: mugs, bowls, plates and bottles. But is there more that we can make out of clay? In this intermediate/advanced class we will explore how to create novel designs using the potter’s wheel. We will both look at historical curiosities, modern innovations, and contemporary avantgarde examples to help us push our boundaries in wheel thrown ware. Our focus will be on functional ceramics, but sculptural pieces will be shared and discussed in some lessons. We will look at novel forms, original embellishments, innovative finishes, and more.

T1: Mondays, 6:30 – 9;30 pm

Instructor: Erin Holt

June 12 – August 14 (no class Juneteenth, June 19)

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

Soda-Firing Methods

Join teaching artist Clarice Allgood in the studio and dive deeper into the techniques and materials to get the most from the soda kiln’s kiss of fire. Load and fire three kilns on three firing dates and critically examine the results of each firing. Successive firings ensure that you will have the opportunity to understand the nature of atmospheric firing and, in turn, capitalize on the process by the end of the quarter. Explore more advanced forming and decorating techniques to take full advantage of what the kiln has to offer. Plan to participate in all kiln loadings, and in at least one unloading. This class is designed to provide an experiential learning opportunity for students who are keen to develop their approach to atmospheric firing. Previous soda-firing experience is not required. Primarily intended for those who are at advanced levels of construction—throwers and handbuilders welcome. Due to the size of the kilns and the firing process, this class is intended for smaller works like cups and bowls, all work must be smaller than 12” in diameter.

Tentative firing schedule: Kiln loadings: July 11, August 1 and 15 Firing and unloading schedule will be discussed during class.

Studio meetings all other weeks.

T2: Tuesdays, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Instructor: Clarice Allgood

June 13 – August 15 (no class July 4th)

Fee: $320 + $100 lab fee (5% member discount)

Special Topics Workshops

Great Goblets

Interested in learning a unique and different way to approach pinch pots? In this workshop you will learn how to make a goblet in a couple different ways. The first half will be dedicated to construction and the second half will focus on the surface. Explore a variety of textures and colors using carving techniques and colorful engobes.

X1: Saturday, July 22, 10 am – 2 pm

Instructor: Olivia Gallenberger

Fee: $60 (5% member discount)

Kiln Repair 101

Do you have an old kiln sitting in your garage that doesn’t reach temperature and you just don’t know what to do with it? This is the workshop for you! Head out to an innovative new space in New Richmond, Wisconsin—Potter’s Without Kilns—for a two-day electric kiln repair workshop with Mark Lusardi. On day one you will be guided through the process of diagnosing a kiln and on day two you will gain technical skills as you learn how to replace elements, relays, and more! By the end of this two day workshop you will have helped transform a kiln back into a tool that is ready to fire work.

X2: Saturday and Sunday, July 29 and 30, 10 am — 2 pm

Instructor: Mark Lusardi

Fee: $170 (5% member discount)

GET WILD: Harvesting and Processing Local Wild Clay

Join Minnesota native, Amy Joy Hosterman for a weekend adventure in wild clay hunting, harvesting, and the science of clay. Hosterman is the ceramics director of the Visitor Center Artist Camp in Ewen, MI, the owner of Stinky Cheese Ceramics LLC, and Creative Director for nonprofit Outdoor Art Education Exchange (formerly Art Shape Mammoth) in Colorado.

In this two-day workshop you’ll learn how to locate, identify, harvest, and process your own wild clays and natural additives. You’ll also learn how to conduct basic tests, both in the field and back at the studio, to determine their suitability for use in your practice. Discuss soil science and sedimentary geology as they relate to finding and identifying clay deposits in your area, and compare the properties of a variety of wild clay samples that Hosterman has collected from across the country.

On Saturday, spend time off-site hunting for local wild clay and natural additives, interpreting local soil profiles, and getting hands-on experience of assessing clay for usability. Perform field tests and collect your own samples to bring back to the studio at NCC. Back in the studio, process collected materials for use in ceramics, and mix test batches of clay bodies using your collected clays and additives. Students will leave equipped with basic knowledge of how to locate, process, and utilize wild clay, and will leave with their own small batches of wild clays to continue their experiments after the workshop. This workshop is best suited for those who have an understanding of the stages of clay, building methods, and material components. Students will need to provide their own transportation to the off-site location on the first day; the location will be within 30-45 minutes of NCC and will be sent to participants closer to the workshop.

X3: Saturday, August 12, 10 am - 3 pm, & Sunday, August 13, 10 am - 1 pm

Instructor: Amy Joy Hosterman

Fee: $175 (5% member discount)

Project Workshops

No previous experience required! NCC will provide all materials and tools for these workshops.

Clay for Couples Pottery Workshops

Looking for a unique date activity that is sure to impress your partner? Look no further than this NCC original—Clay for Couples. Sign up with your significant other and learn the secrets of throwing pottery on the wheel in a fun and relaxed environment. Already attended a session? Sign up again and take your skills to the next level. The $90 fee includes instruction and materials for two adults. Pots will be ready to pick up after approximately two weeks.

X4: Sunday, June 25, 10 am – 1 pm

X5: Sunday, June 25, 2 pm – 5 pm

X6: Sunday, July 23, 10 am – 1 pm

X7: Sunday, July 23, 2 pm – 5 pm

Instructor: Lucy Yogerst

Fee: $90 per couple, per session

Crafternoon and Crafterdark Pottery Workshops

Bring your creative friends, and make a few new ones, as you learn the secrets of throwing pottery on the wheel. This three-hour workshop is a fun and messy introduction to clay. The $45 fee includes instruction and materials for one adult. Students can expect to make 2 – 4 pots and will decorate them using colored slips and textures. Your pots will be ready to pick up after approximately two weeks.

X8: Saturday, June 17, 12 pm – 3 pm

X9: Saturday, June 17, 5 pm – 8 pm

X10: Saturday, July 29, 12 pm – 3 pm

X11: Saturday, July 29, 5 pm – 8 pm

Instructor: Moz Rude

Fee: $45 per person, per session

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS FOR FAMILIES

For all family classes, children must be accompanied by an adult. Neither children nor adults will have access to open studio time during the quarter. Weekend workshops are open to all skill levels, ages 6 and up for handbuilding workshops and 9 and up for wheel-throwing; there are no exceptions to stated age requirements.

Family Wheel

Sit behind a potter’s wheel and sink your hands into clay. Learn basic skills like centering, opening, and pulling the clay to make bowls and cylinders. Decorate your projects with colored slip. Ages 9+; all skill levels welcome.

Saturday, June 24

Instructor: Eileen Cohen

F1: 10 am – 1 pm

F2: 2 – 5 pm

Fee: $60 for two people, $25 for each additional participant

All Decked Out

Learn handbuilding skills to create a project that connects you to the outdoors when you kick back and relax on a deck or patio. Make personalized plates or trays to serve your favorite patio foods. Decorate your creations with colored slips. Ages 6+; all skill levels welcome.

Saturday, July 8

Instructor: Eileen Cohen

F3: 10 am – 1 pm

F4: 2 – 5 pm

Fee: $60 for two people, $25 for each additional participant

Buzz!

Think about pollinators as you design a cup or mug for your favorite beverage. Learn how to use templates to handbuild forms and different ways to decorate as we tie in the theme of pollination. Decorate your creations with colored slips. Ages 6+; all skill levels welcome.

Saturday, August 5

Instructor: Eileen Cohen

F5: 10 am – 1 pm

F6: 2 – 5 pm

Fee: $60 for two people, $25 for each additional participant

Clay For Youth

Pottery Punch Card for Teens

Teens may purchase eight, 2-hour classes, to be used on any Saturday, 10 am - 12 pm*. Classes will cover the fundamental techniques of throwing basic forms on the potter's wheel and creating surface decoration using glazes, slips, and applied elements, with varied demonstrations and projects for advanced students. Create a series of functional pots with high-temperature clay bodies. Previous experience is not required. Students may attend on a drop-in basis and the complexity of projects will depend on multiple consecutive classes. Great for students and families with busy schedules. Wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty; NCC will provide the tools and the clay. Your eight class sessions expire six months after the date of purchase. Students do not have access to open studio time. For ages 13 to 17.

Y1: Saturdays, 10 am - 12 pm

Instructor: Erin Holt

Student Fee: $265 (5% member discount) 4 additional sessions: $135 (5% member discount)

PLEASE NOTE:

Students may begin as soon as they register. Students must sign up for sessions in advance online. *Classes will meet every Saturday unless otherwise posted. Class may not take place due to holidays or NCC events.

ART@HAND CLAY FOR OLDER ADULTS

ART@HAND is NCC’s series of accessible programs for enjoyment of the ceramic arts. Intended for individuals 55 years old or greater (and their families), ART@HAND offers lectures, tours, workshops, and handson activities. ART@HAND specializes in meeting people where they are at, this year in their homes, and we are offering distance led workshops.

Seven McKnight Artists Drop-in Workshop

Visit NCC for an afternoon of claycentric fun—featuring a handbuilding activity/making station during our

McKnight Summer Open House. Drop in for this free hands-on activity any time between 1 and 4 pm! There will be 30-minute sign-up sessions on the day of the event.

Saturday, July 15, 1 – 4 pm

Sizzling Summer Sets

Yeah, we know it’s hot out, so let’s make the most of these dog days of summer and create a series of sets of functional objects to welcome the cooler days ahead. A set of mugs for your morning coffee, a set of bowls for your favorite pasta dish, or why not a set of salt & pepper shakers to ensure the months ahead are filled with just the right amount of seasoning. Employ various handbuilding techniques to create functional sets of clay art!

23AAH7: Sunday, August 30, 10 am – 12 pm