Glaze & Surface: Exploration & Chemistry

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of glaze and surface. This comprehensive course combines the creativity of surface design with the technical depth of glaze science, offering the most detailed and hands-on glaze experience we’ve ever shared.

Over the session, you’ll learn how to mix glazes from raw materials, understand the chemistry behind colour and texture, and practice safe, consistent mixing techniques. We’ll explore how to test, adjust, and document your results as you create your very own colour line blend — uncovering the subtle transformations that occur in the kiln.

Alongside the science, you’ll delve into artistic surfacing approaches, layering your test results through painting, resist, transfer, and texture. With two dedicated glaze days, you’ll have ample time to experiment, refine, and truly discover how glaze interacts with your forms.

This course is ideal for makers ready to deepen their understanding of materials and open up new creative possibilities in their own practice. You’ll leave with a foundation in glaze chemistry, a personalized set of test results, and a richer understanding of how to bring expressive surfaces to life.

All materials, test tiles, and glaze ingredients are provided.

Please note: this class is intended for students looking to improve their understanding of glazes in their own practice. Glazes made in this class are not suitable for use in our regular classes. If you'd like to test commercial glazes, they will be discussed but you will need to provide your own materials.

About the Instructor — Mindy Andrews

A practising ceramic artist and longtime educator, Mindy works primarily in porcelain, chasing light, translucency, and nature-inspired surface. An AUArts (ACAD) ceramics alum, Medalta resident, and recipient of the Alberta Craft Council’s Award of Achievement, she brings a rare blend of glaze chemistry fluency and gentle, artist-led guidance to every class.

Common Questions

Minimum age / Can I register my child for this class?

The participant must be at minimum 16 years old to be registered and attend class unaccompanied. With wheel-throwing, we do allow participants as young as 15 to register as long as an adult is also registered separately to the same class, and accompanies the child to every class. Our instruction is centred around teaching adults. If a minor is less developed than an adult, they may find our instruction methods and pace challenging. We do not guarantee any accommodation of instruction geared to minors.

Workshop is a mature environment where there are very hot kilns in unrestricted production areas; mature art that can contain challenging matters such as profanity, nudity, and mature & challenging subjects; responsible consumption of legal substances such as alcohol in both common areas and private studios, and marijuana outdoors; and lively discussion that is not censored for young ears. By registering a minor, you are agreeing to the risks and environment that they will be entering. If you are registering as a minor, you confirm that a guardian has reviewed this warning and has consented to you registering.

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 are included in the class fee and in the fee of any additional clay purchased.

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 dust.

Cleanup

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

Clean-up should be done with a wet sponge or a mop. Avoid sweeping in the ceramics studio as it will cause tiny hazardous clay dust particles to become airborne.

Outside Materials

Students are not allowed to bring clay or glaze 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. Any damage to kilns caused by unauthorized outside materials will be billed to the student (FYI: kilns cost upwards of $5,000).

Cancellations

Classes cancelled within 48h of the start date are subject to refunds only if a replacement is found for your signup. Classes cancelled anytime prior to 48h from the start date are subject to a 5% cancellation fee to cover our processing fees. Classes are subject to cancellations by Workshop in the case of low enrolment. If classes are cancelled by Workshop, you will receive a full refund, including processing fees.

If I miss a class, can I make it up another time?

We are unable to offer make-up classes. For students who know in advance that they will be missing a class, we encourage them to check in with their instructor ahead of that absence to know what they will be missing and how to be on track for the following week by putting in some additional practice hours.

What about Workshop being a safer space?

Everyone has the right to feel safe and included at Workshop Studios regardless of age, ancestry, colour, family status, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, mental disability, physical disability, place of origin, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or source of income.

Workshop Studios does not tolerate abusive or discriminatory behaviour. Such behaviour is grounds for removal from the studio and may result in the cancellation of future registrations or a permanent ban.

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

Any harassing behaviour which creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment is unacceptable conduct. Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

Verbal behaviour: Jokes, slurs, derogatory remarks, abusive language
Physical & visual: Unwanted touching, staring, filming or photographing
Visual displays: Derogatory items, posters, photographs, drawings
Verbal advances: Any unwanted or unwelcome verbal contact

If you feel you have been subject to any harassment, discriminatory behaviour or other abuse, please contact a Workshop Staff member. All communication is strictly confidential. We will work with you and if needed, with your consent, with an independent mediator to address the issue.

Anyone exhibiting these behaviours can be asked to leave at any time by Workshop staff. By signing up to this workshop, you agree to read and follow our Safer Space Policy.

Glaze Science & Surface Design - 8 Sessions