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Hands on Tamarack: Ceramic Classes
November 15, 2021 @ 6:30 pm
Hands on Tamarack: Ceramic Classes instructed by Chris Boyd.
This is a 4 week course that will allow students the opportunity to become familiar with clay through hand-building, wheel work*, and decoration. The students will create at least 4 distinct projects, and finish a minimum of 4 pieces.
The ceramic classes will begin on November 15.
Learning Objectives:
1 – Understand physical characteristics of clay through the making cycle.
2 – Build a foundation of basic clay skills: Pinching, Joining Processes, Coil Building, Slab Building, and Wheel work* (Centering, Opening, Etc.)
3 – Surface treatments and techniques.
4 – Finishing work: Glazing, cleaning, and sanding.
1 – Understand physical characteristics of clay through the making cycle.
2 – Build a foundation of basic clay skills: Pinching, Joining Processes, Coil Building, Slab Building, and Wheel work* (Centering, Opening, Etc.)
3 – Surface treatments and techniques.
4 – Finishing work: Glazing, cleaning, and sanding.
Class Schedule and Description:
Week 1 Day 1: 11/15/21
Clay Stamps, Studio Cleanliness & Pinch Pots
Create a “signature” stamp to mark work, and make a pinch pot and texture stamps. We will also go over studio conduct standards
Create a “signature” stamp to mark work, and make a pinch pot and texture stamps. We will also go over studio conduct standards
Day 2: 11/18/21
Underglaze Tray
This will serve as an introduction to slab work, joining, and underglaze techniques. The project will be a serving tray that’s shaped using drape method and decorated with texture from found objects, finally being painted with underglazes for color.
This will serve as an introduction to slab work, joining, and underglaze techniques. The project will be a serving tray that’s shaped using drape method and decorated with texture from found objects, finally being painted with underglazes for color.
Week 2 Days 1 & 2: 11/22/21 and 11/23/21 * This class will be on Tuesday due to Thursday being a holiday.
Coils and Introduction to Wheel
Students will create a slab base and build using coil technique. Beginning of wheel work using 1# clay, including instructions on preparing clay for throwing.
Students will create a slab base and build using coil technique. Beginning of wheel work using 1# clay, including instructions on preparing clay for throwing.
Week 3 Days 1 & 2: 11/29/21 and 12/2/21
Hand-building Tea Set
Students will create a tea set including two cups and a teapot. Students who have advanced in wheel throwing enough may attempt to create this project on the wheel*.
Hand-building Tea Set
Students will create a tea set including two cups and a teapot. Students who have advanced in wheel throwing enough may attempt to create this project on the wheel*.
Week 4 Days 1 & 2: 12/6/21 and 12/9/21
Trimming & Extruding
The final week of the course will focus on trimming wheel work and using the extruder to create functional and decorative pieces. This weeks project will be a jar using the extruder or the wheel*.
Trimming & Extruding
The final week of the course will focus on trimming wheel work and using the extruder to create functional and decorative pieces. This weeks project will be a jar using the extruder or the wheel*.
Each new idea will be demonstrated by the instructor at the beginning of each class. The kiln schedule will be based on drying time of pieces and volume of work with a goal of at least one firing per week. Students will need to have open studio time outside of class to work on techniques and complete complex pieces. Students can schedule up to 2 hours extra per week, and will be required to clean up after themselves.
*Wheel Work not applicable to hand-building-only students
