The course will be structured around 3 projects; 3 throwing-focused sessions and 3 focused on trimming/assembling/finishing plus 1 day for glazing.
Weeks 1-2: Goblets
We will begin to break down more complex forms into parts, building on what we already know. Students will throw cups, bowls, and stems/small closed-forms to later be trimmed and assembled into goblets.
Week 1 - overview of throwing basics, demo throwing goblet parts with focus on how to throw closed-forms. Depending on skill level/interest, students can choose to invest more time in refining their cup/bowls, or practicing closed-forms/exploring different stem shapes.
Week 2 - refresher trimming demo and goblet assembly demo. If students did not get around to throwing a stem last week, they have the option to hand-build one today instead.
Weeks 3-4: Lidded Vessels
Students will learn how to throw and fit lids to vessel forms.
Week 3 - demo throwing a jar with a gallery and a lid. Students will learn how to use calipers to measure widths and adjust their lids/vessels to fit while the clay is still wet.
Week 4 - lid trimming demo and quick knob/handle demo. Students trim and assemble their lidded vessels.
At the end of class, I will task students with "homework" to come up with 2-3 ideas for their final, individual project. I will also suggest some ideas + have some of our great library books for students to flip through for inspiration as well.
Weeks 5-6: Individual Projects
Students choose a project of their own to focus on for the final two weeks of class. I ask them to have 2-3 ideas in mind so I can help them choose the best option based on their ability and the limited time we have. Their "project" could also be a continuation of the past four weeks, or just general throwing practice- it's really what they want to make it.
I will do my best to help students achieve their projects and hope this open-ended structure will spark inspiration and provide everyone an opportunity to envision and make something they are specifically interested in + observe a variety of new processes. The structure of these classes will largely depend on the projects the students choose. I expect to be demoing a handful of new forms, either way.
Week 5 - throwing day
This will be our last "wet" wheel day of the class to ensure that everything is dry enough for a bisque the following week. If students feel like they need more throwing time for their projects, they may attend open studio (this goes for any prior week as well)
Week 6 - trimming/assembling/finishing day
If students are wanting to use underglazes, today is also the day for that (they may decorate projects from previous weeks as well).
Students may attend open studio on Wednesday, Oct 14 to finish projects, too. I will plan to run a bisque this weekend unless everything is ready to go in on the 14th. I'll assess at the end of class on Tuesday and coordinate with Natalie on that.
Week 7 - glazing day
waxing/glazing demo & final day of class :)
Expect up to 2 weeks to pick up fired work.
Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and be ready to to start throwing!
Clay, glaze and firing costs are included. The CAC has basic throwing tools for you to use. We can provide details on what to buy if you would like your own.
