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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O
Open to All
Students of any skill and knowledge level.
Aug 18 - 29, 2025
9AM-5PM
Explorations in Kiln-Formed Glass and Ceramics
Kelly Witmer
Tuition $2,010
Code C1216-25
This two week workshop is a deep dive into ways of manipulating glass in the kiln, exploring techniques such as fusing, slumping, draping, and casting. Students use hand building techniques to create ceramic forms which are then combined with glass to create sculptural or functional work. Through experimentation, they learn the basic rules of kiln-formed glass, making discoveries along the way.
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O
Open to All
Students of any skill and knowledge level.
Aug 18 - 22, 2025
9AM-5PM
Patterns of Kinship: Connecting to Ancestry Through Surface Design in Clay
Malene Barnett
Tuition $1,390
Code C1215-25
This immersive surface pattern workshop explores the deep connections between heritage, identity, and design. Inspired by Barnett’s book, Crafted Kinship, this class guides students through creating meaningful patterns rooted in their ancestry and cultural history. Through hands-on work in clay, students uncover symbols, stories, and motifs passed down through generations, transforming them into a personal visual language. Together, students draw inspiration from personal experiences and subjects of interest, using surface design to honor and celebrate our collective creative heritage. Perfect for makers seeking to infuse their work with cultural significance.
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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.
Aug 25 - Sep 5, 2025
9AM-5PM
Patterned Vessels
Matt Repsher
Tuition $1,910
Code C1317-25
This workshop focuses on how to develop intricate patterns on vessel forms. Demonstrations begin with wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques and quickly move into surface treatments using inlaid colored slips on greenware. Using these techniques as a foundation, students experiment with patterns to create multi-layered and creative surfaces. All work is made in cone 5 clays and glaze fired using a clear glaze in the electric kilns. Students are encouraged to bring sketches and source materials that relate to forms and patterns. Students can choose wheel-throwing and hand-building.