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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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.
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IV
Level IV
Students have advanced skills and knowledge of the ceramics field. Students are highly motivated, have a minimum of five years experience in the field and have a portfolio of their artwork. Typical students are academics and professional artists.
Sep 8 - 12, 2025
9AM-5PM
Summer Studio Session: Ceramics Week 2
Joanne Seongweon Lee
Tuition $1,285
Code C1522-25
Anderson Ranch’s Studio Sessions provide artists the opportunity to work on independent projects while receiving mentoring and critique sessions with Anderson Ranch artistic staff. Each participant receives an assigned studio space, orientation and access to equipment. This program affords artists the experience enjoyed by national and international artists who access our state-of-the-art studios. Participants may expand their practices, take artistic risks, try new techniques or complete works for exhibition. *Studios are open 24 hours a day with limited use of equipment due to safety requirements. Applicants must submit project proposals or portfolios for approval. Contact Betsy Alwin, Director of Ceramics and Expanded Media to apply: [email protected]
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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.
-
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.
Sep 8 - 19, 2025
9AM-5PM
Off the Table: Sculptural Pottery
Luc Hammond-Thomas
Tuition $1,910
Code C1520-25
This course is designed for students to learn and practice methods of hand-building and encourage them to think out of the box to further expand their visual pottery vocabulary and studio practice. Through various hand-building techniques such as slab-building, pinch pots, coil building, low relief, and impressions, students develop the skills to evolve their work and make it truly unique. Students learn to complement this work with a variety of surface techniques including mid range glazes, color terra sig, water etching, bisque slip, and tape resist. The session ends with a demonstration on creating pedestals and displays using made and found objects, transitioning the work off the table and into the sculptural realm.
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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.
-
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.
-
IV
Level IV
Students have advanced skills and knowledge of the ceramics field. Students are highly motivated, have a minimum of five years experience in the field and have a portfolio of their artwork. Typical students are academics and professional artists.
Sep 15 - 19, 2025
9AM-5PM
Summer Studio Session: Ceramics Week 3
Joanne Seongweon Lee
Tuition $1,285
Code C1623-25
Anderson Ranch’s Studio Sessions provide artists the opportunity to work on independent projects while receiving mentoring and critique sessions with Anderson Ranch artistic staff. Each participant receives an assigned studio space, orientation and access to equipment. This program affords artists the experience enjoyed by national and international artists who access our state-of-the-art studios. Participants may expand their practices, take artistic risks, try new techniques or complete works for exhibition. *Studios are open 24 hours a day with limited use of equipment due to safety requirements. Applicants must submit project proposals or portfolios for approval. Contact Betsy Alwin, Director of Ceramics and Expanded Media to apply: [email protected]