When life seems all a bit too serious and you just need to get your hands dirty and play in the mud it is time you join Claire Simone-Becq through this 6-week hand-building class. Re-live your childhood Play-Doh dreams with equipment suited for grown-ups i.e. giant pasta extruder, slab rollers, etc.

The workshop will be an introduction to the fundamentals of forming clay vessels and sculpture by hand. Each week you will learn new basic hand building techniques, as well as processes for decorating, glazing and finishing to create projects such as bowls, hanging plant pots, serving dishes, plates, vases, wall hangings, mugs, cups and small sculptures. Forming techniques will include pinching, coiling, slab rolling, sculpting, carving and attaching. Decorative techniques will include sgraffito, the use of textures, and painting with coloured slips. By the end of the six weeks, you will have the option to work on your own projects using the new knowledge you have learned. Your imagination is the limit in this class!

Common Questions

What should I bring?

If you have any trimming tools you may bring those to class. If you do not have your own tools, you may borrow some from our studio. If you would prefer to own your own we have starter tool kits for sale by our instructors or you may purchase one from Ceramics Canada. One free bag of clay is included with the purchase of your class and additional clay is available for sale if you run out.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothing that you won’t mind getting clay on. Most clays do not stain and can wash out, however if your class is working with iron rich clays then staining may occur. The studio has aprons available for all students to wear while working. We recommend long hair be tied back and jewelry be removed before class begins.

How does the glazing and firing of my work, work?

Glazing and firing of your work is included in the class fee. We allot each student a large board to fill with work. If you want to fire additional work that exceeds your board dimensions, we will charge you our standard firing cost (which is our metered electrical cost). This fee is included in the cost of additional clay purchased from us.

What about health and safety?

Each participant in the class is required to keep all surfaces clean of clay and glaze and to clean all areas including the floor around his workstation thoroughly before they leave. This is to minimize any risks caused by breathing clay and glaze dusts. Please note, Workshop abides by a zero tolerance policy and is committed to providing a harassment-free space for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race or religion.

Practice Hours

All classes include 1 free hour of practice time before and after class (non-mandatory). Students may stay beyond 1 hour after class provided the equipment is not needed by our members or another class. We also welcome you to come in throughout the week for practice hours if you desire, but ask a few things of you:

Please be finished and have cleaned up your area by at least one hour before the next class starts.
Practice hours not available while other classes, workshops, or events are scheduled in the space.
Always send an email to info@workshopstudios.ca letting us know when you are coming in so we can give you the access code if necessary and keep track of practice hours.

The class calendar can be found here.

Cleanup

Classrooms must be left in clean condition. Students are responsible for following workshops cleaning protocols which are as follows: pottery wheels cleaned, floor around wheels wiped, dry rag washed and draped over upside down stool, aprons wiped down with large yellow sponge, floor around sinks and clay bags cleaned, and wedging tables washed off.

Clean up should be done with a wet sponge or a mop. Avoid sweeping or vacuuming in the ceramics studio. You’ll raise a ton of tiny particles that remain airborne for days.

Outside Materials

We ask that Level 1 students do not bring clays or glazes purchased elsewhere into class. Ceramic materials require specific temperatures and conditions to fire properly, so you run the risk of damaging your classmates’ work and the kiln when introducing materials that are not approved by the studio. Additional clay can be purchased from Workshop if needed and includes the cost of firing the additional work you’ll be making with it.

Cancellations

Classes cancelled within 48h of start date are subject to refunds only if a replacement is found for your signup. Classes cancelled anytime prior to 48h from start date are subject to a 5% cancellation fee. Classes are subject to cancellations by Workshop in the case of low enrolment.

How do I get to Workshop?

Our location can be a bit confusing, so we included a map to help you find us. We are located on the south side of the building. When you go down Alyth Road turn right when you see the large Workshop Studios sign. Our entrance can be found at the door left of Blue Hydrangea. You may park anywhere in our lot and additional overflow parking is available on Alyth Road.

Please do not park in Blue Hydrangea’s marked stalls or in the fire-lane.

Hand Building - Level 1 - Tuesdays - 6 Sessions (#87H)