Ceramics
In 1966, American ceramicist Paul Soldner selected the site for what is now Anderson Ranch Arts Center, forming the foundation for a thriving ceramics program. Then and now, Anderson Ranch is a place where students exchange ideas and examine ceramic art and pottery techniques. It has always been a place where seminal moments of growth happen in an artist’s creative and critical thinking. Here, both beginning and emerging artists gain strong fundamental support, while established artists achieve new perspectives and advance their techniques.
The Ranch Ceramics team provides support, feedback and technical problem-solving, giving each artist the freedom to experiment and grow. Our primary focus is on personal advancement through a process of creative discovery.
The Soldner Ceramics Center makes up more than 10,000 square feet in three buildings with 3 studio spaces and 1 kiln yard; Soldner Studio, Long Studio, Sorenson Studio and Lyeth/Lyon Kiln Building. Soldner and Long studios are used for wheel-throwing, hand-building, or general ceramics creativity. Sorenson studio is equipped with five PotterBot 3d clay printers. The Lyeth/Lyon kiln building is equipped with gas, electric, soda and wood kilns for both oxidation and reduction firing at all temperature ranges. The Ranch offers three wood kilns including a gas/wood hybrid kiln, three gas reduction kilns, one soda kiln and eleven high-temperature electric kilns.
Anderson Ranch is happy to extend a tuition discount* in summer one- or two-week adult ceramics workshops** for NCECA members at the student membership level or above. Please email reg@
Joanne Seongweon Lee
Studio Coordinator, Ceramics
Originally from South Korea, Joanne Seongweon Lee received her BFA from New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University with a concentration in Ceramics in 2015. After graduation, she moved back to South Korea for an Artist in Residence program at the Korea Ceramic Foundation: Icheon Cerapia. She completed an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in 2019 and achieved the Franz Rising Start Project Scholarship: Outstanding Performance in Porcelain Design in that same year. After graduating, she finished her Residency at Sonoma Ceramics in Sonoma, California. In 2021, Joanne taught numerous Ceramics courses for various levels at the James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Anderson Ranch Campus
Upcoming Workshops
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Open to All
Students of any skill and knowledge level.
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Ages 13-17
Jun 30 - Jul 4, 2025
9AM-3PM
Wheel Throwing for Teens
Molly Altman
Tuition $725
Code C0508-25
Discover the endless possibilities of clay through pottery’s many creative forms, including bowls, plates, cups, and mugs. This workshop, designed specifically for teens, introduces students to the potter’s wheel. Students start with centering the clay and work their way to the creation of forms. Students learn glazing technique using underglazes and clear glazes.
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II
Level II
Students have a basic understanding of forming techniques, such as throwing and hand building. Students have taken one or two ceramics classes or workshops.
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III
Level III
Students have significant experience with clay forming techniques, such as throwing, hand building and modeling. Students are comfortable with ceramics equipment, such as wheels, extruders and slab rollers. Students are self-starting with some formal training and have taken a minimum of three classes or workshops.
Jul 14 - 25, 2025
9AM-5PM
Clay in Color: Handbuilding with Pigmented Porcelain
Linda Lopez
Tuition $2,010
Code C0710-25
Dive into the possibilities of colored clay bodies in this fun and experimental hand building workshop. Students create harmonious blends of color by mixing stains in clay and then use these to create dynamic sculptures. Through a process of experimenting and testing, students explore abstraction, texture, and color. Demonstrations focus on construction techniques and different methods for using colored clay. Students share and compare our work, discussing visual perception, color, and abstract ceramics. Students build their own catalog of color clay tests and a series of sculptures.
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I
Level I
Students are new to ceramics and have no formal training.
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II
Level II
Students have a basic understanding of forming techniques, such as throwing and hand building. Students have taken one or two ceramics classes or workshops.
Jul 14 - 25, 2025
9AM-5PM
Illuminated: Introduction to Clay 3D Printing and Digital Tools
Jolie Ngo
Tuition $2,010
Code C0711-25
This introductory course to 3D clay printing and digital tools prompts students to investigate the synergy between the handmade arts and technology with the goal of creating a table lamp design. The workshop goes through every step of the process, from preparing clay for successful prints, to designing forms in Rhinoceros 3D, to exploring best practices for operating clay and plastic printers. Students learn different ways of finishing surfaces including airbrush techniques, ultimately completing and wiring a clay printed table lamp that they can take home.