Wheel Throwing for Teens

This class teaches unique pinch forming methods that resemble how clay is pulled up on the wheel. Through patience and practice, students learn how to achieve scale and bold form, and move beyond the usual 3" pinch-formed pot to pinch up to 5lbs of clay, growing a pot from one ball without adding or subtracting material. Creating both functional and sculptural objects, we engage in the merging of ideas and form, of merging inside and outside, and of subtle metaphor. Glazing and firing will be mid-range oxidation.

Investigate new materials and approaches to building sculpture in this two-week exploratory workshop. Students discover innovative ways to combine different materials, creating dynamic mixed-media sculptures. This workshop experiments with adding different materials to students’ work — such as clay, steel, and found objects — while considering how each adds formal information and intensified content. A rigorous studio environment gives access to a variety of new materials and fresh ways of approaching students’ studio practice. The workshop is open to students working in any media who are looking to try something different and add new skills to their toolbox.

In this workshop, students learn the terminology associated with wood firing, and gain understanding of what happens during the firing and cooling processes. Participants are guided through observation systems such as the fire triangle and stoke scale, and learn how to move heat via interval stoking, and spicing up anemic wood ash via "watering your wood." Participants gain confidence making decisions during the wood firing process while creating new work and gaining valuable technical experience in wood firing.