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@andersonranch.org with your NCECA membership information upon registering and we will apply the discount to your tuition. You are also welcome to call 970-924-5089 to register. *Since the welcome dinner and lunches are included in workshop tuition (at a cost of $130 per week), a 20% discount is applied after subtracting the cost of these meals. **Please note, this discount must be approved upon registering and cannot be applied retroactively. NCECA discount does not apply to Advanced Mentored Studies programs or Destination Workshops, nor can it be combined with any other discount, scholarship or special offer. 

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.

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Anderson Ranch Campus

Upcoming Workshops

  • 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.

Jun 23 - Jul 4, 2025
9AM-5PM

Pouring Pots

Seth Green

Tuition $2,010
Code C0405-25

The focus of this wheel-throwing/hand-building workshop is on learning how to make a variety of different spouts for pouring pots such as teapots, pitchers, and ewers. Time is dedicated to form-making demonstrations on the wheel as well as spout, lid, and handle assembling techniques. Students have the opportunity to make simple plaster press molds and paper templates in addition to using the wheel to make spouts. Ultimately, the workshop gives participants the skills they need to confidently take their pouring pots to the next level in their future making opportunities.

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  • O

    Open to All

    Students of any skill and knowledge level.

  • Ages 13-17

Jun 23 - 27, 2025
9AM-3PM

Wheel Throwing for Teens

Molly Altman

Tuition $725
Code C0407-25

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 decorate their vessels with the Italian technique of maiolica, a white glaze that serves as a canvas for painting decoration.

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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.

Jun 23 - Jul 4, 2025
9AM-5PM

Personal and Poetic: Contemporary Ceramic Totemic Sculpture

Yana Payusova

Tuition $1,910
Code C0406-25

Students spend two weeks creating a large-scale totemic sculpture assembling hand-built forms. Thematically, this workshop investigates the importance of materiality to recollection and personal narrative, as well as the emotional tension within memory, materiality, and identity. Students are introduced to a variety of surface decoration techniques and approaches.

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