Clay


Hand Workshop Art Center
1812 West Main Street
Richmond, VA 23220
804-353-0094

Clay Classes

  • Advanced Handbuilding
  • Advanced Handbuilding (Continued)
  • Clay for the House and Garden
  • Exploring Glaze Techniques
  • Pottery for Everyone
  • Pottery I
  • Pottery I (Continued)
  • Pottery II
  • Pottery II (Continued)
  • Introduction to the Wheel
  • Introduction to the Wheel (Continued)
  • Beginning Wheel Throwing
  • Intermediate/Advanced Wheel Throwing
  • Lidded Forms
  • Box Making
  • Tile Making
  • Maskmaking: Capturing Personality and Expression
  • Animal Passion
  • Glaze Technology
  • Ceramic Molds and Casting

Note: Materials fees are due upon registration.


Advanced Handbuilding
Intermediate/Advanced
Designed for students who have completed several pottery classes, this course focuses on handbuilding, with an emphasis on individual instruction for students wanting to pursue independent directions in clay. The class focuses on aesthetic considerations, from construction to final glazing. Previous handbuilding experience required.

  • Richard McCord
    Tuition: $225 (members $210)
    Materials Fee: $20
    12 Fridays, January 21 – April 15
    9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Advanced Handbuilding (Continued)

  • Richard McCord
    Tuition: $85 (members $75)
    Materials Fee: $20
    4 Fridays, April 29 – May 20
    9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Clay for the House and Garden
All levels
The fundamentals of ceramics are covered as students explore design possibilities for creating objects both functional and sculptural for the house and garden. Handbuilding techniques, including drape molding, slab construction, and extrusions are emphasized. Students with previous experience can also incorporate wheel-thrown forms.

  • Richard McCord
    Tuition: $225 (members $210)
    Materials Fee: $20
    12 Thursdays, January 20 – April 7
    9:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Exploring Glaze Techniques
Intermediate/Advanced
Learn all the tricks of surface decoration and manipulation during this short course on glaze application.

  • Richard McCord
    Tuition: $140 (members $125)
    Materials Fee: $20
    6 Thursdays, April 21 – May 26
    9:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Pottery for Everyone
All levels
This class emphasizes the fundamentals of pottery for the beginning student. Through assigned projects, students learn techniques in handbuilding, wheel throwing, decorating, and glazing. Open to anyone age 10 and above, this is a great class for the entire family. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Tuition: $165 (members $150)
Materials Fee: $20

  • Section A – Susan Quinnild
    8 Sundays, January 16 – March 6
    1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
  • Section B – Susan Quinnild
    8 Sundays, April 3 – May 22
    1:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Pottery I
Beginning/Intermediate
This course emphasizes the fundamentals of pottery for the beginning student. Through assigned projects, students learn techniques in handbuilding, wheel throwing, decorating, and glazing. No previous experience required.

Tuition: $225 (members $210)
Materials Fee: $20

  • Section A – David Camden
    12 Mondays, January 24 – April 11
    9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
  • Section B – Richard McCord
    12 Mondays, January 17 – April 4
    6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
  • Section C – Richard McCord
    12 Wednesdays, January 19 – April 6
    6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Pottery I Continued
Tuition: $140 (members $125)
Materials Fee: $20

  • Section A – David Camden
    6 Mondays, April 18 – May 23
    9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
  • Section B – Richard McCord
    6 Mondays, April 18 – May 23
    6:30 – 9:00 p.m
  • Section C – Richard McCord
    6 Wednesdays, April 20 – May 25
    6:30 – 9:00 p.m

Pottery II
Intermediate/Advanced
Students are challenged to create multi-piece and sculptural forms. The class also explores various decorating and firing techniques. Some wheel-throwing experience is required.

Tuition: $225 (members $210)
Materials Fee: $20

  • Section A – David Camden
    12 Mondays, January 24 – April 11
    12:30 – 3:00 p.m.
  • Section B – Richard McCord
    12 Fridays, January 21 – April 15
    6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Pottery II Continued
Tuition: $140 (members $125)
Materials Fee: $20

  • Section A – David Camden
    6 Mondays, April 18 – May 23
    12:30 – 3:00 p.m.
  • Section B – Richard McCord
    Tuition: $85 ($75 members)
    Materials Fee: $20
    4 Fridays, April 29 – May 20
    6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Introduction to the Wheel
Beginning
This class is perfect for the student who has always wanted to throw on the wheel. Students learn the basics of wheel throwing and create functional clay forms such as plates, bowls and cups.

Tuition: $225 ($210 members)
Materials Fee: $20

  • Section A – Susan Quinnild
    12 Tuesdays, January 18 – April 5
    10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Section B – Susan Quinnild
    12 Saturdays, January 22 – April 16
    10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Introduction to the Wheel Continued

  • Section A – Susan Quinnild
    Tuition: $140 ($125 members)
    Materials Fee: $20
    6 Tuesdays, April 19 – May 10
    10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Beginning Wheel Throwing
Beginning/Intermediate
This class is for students who have a specific interest in learning to throw on the wheel. The instructor emphasizes basic throwing techniques and students learn to make cups, bowls, vases and other functional forms. Students also learn basic glazing techniques as well as Cone 6 electric and Cone 10 reduction firing.

Tuition: $225 (members $210)
Materials Fee: $20

  • Section A -Pamela Rennolds
    12 Wednesdays January 12 – April 6 no class March 16
    9:30a.m. – 12:00p.m.
  • Section B -Pamela Rennolds
    12 Thursdays January 13 – April 7 no class March 17
    6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Intermediate/Advanced Wheel Throwing
Intermediate/Advanced
Open to students with some throwing experience, this course encourages students to build on their throwing skills. From cups and saucers to more complex thrown and altered forms, students continue to develop their throwing and decorating vocabularies. The instructor demonstrates glaze application and decorating techniques. This course emphasizes Cone 10 reduction firing.

  • Pamela Rennolds
    Tuition: $225 (members $210)
    Materials Fee: $20
    12 Tuesdays, January 11 – April 5 (no class March 15)
    6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Lidded Forms
Intermediate/Advanced
From casseroles to sugar bowls, this six-week throwing intensive focuses on lidded forms. The emphasis is on creating lids that fit the form technically and aesthetically. At least four lid styles are demonstrated. Basic throwing skills required.

  • Pamela Rennolds
    Tuition: $140 (members $125)
    Materials Fee: $20
    6 Tuesdays, April 19 – May 24
    6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Box Making
All levels
Using both soft and stiff slabs, as well as other handbuilding techniques, students make boxes. Special attention is given to surface decoration. Students use terra cotta clay and learn to make and use terra sigillata. Get off the wheel and explore a different direction!

  • Pamela Rennolds
    Tuition: $140 (members $125)
    Materials Fee: $20
    6 Wednesdays, April 20 – May 25
    9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Tile Making
Intermediate/Advanced
This class covers the basic steps to creating stoneware tiles for any project, but focuses on making tiles for a small tabletop of the student’s choice. The class also covers underglazes, slips and basic glaze concepts.

  • David Camden
    Tuition: $225 ($210 members)
    Materials Fee: $20
    12 Wednesdays, February 2 – April 20
    6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Maskmaking: Capturing Personality and Expression
All Levels
Whether an animal or human face learn how to make wall-mounted sculpture “interactive.” Students will do one project learning various techniques for surface decoration and enhancement. Basic handbuilding skills will help but this class is open to beginners as well as those with experience in clay.

  • Jim Valentine
    Tuition: $150 (members $135)
    Materials Fee: $20
    8 Fridays, February 11 – April 8 (no class March 25)
    1:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Animal Passion
Basic clay skills required
Do you have a passion for animals, wild or domesticated? This is a clay class that will help you express that interest and create unique wall-mounted and free-standing animal figures. Students will be introduced to various methods of handbuilding as well as surface treatments and low-fire glazing. You’ll need basic clay tools, pictures of animals, and a sketch book

  • Cary Loving
    Tuition: $125 (members $110)
    Materials Fee: $20
    6 Thursdays, April 7 – May 12
    6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Glaze Technology
Basic clay skills required
Students will learn how to create cone 6 oxidation glazes “from scratch” . This class will provide a simple approach to understanding and making reliable glazes, as well as a basis for further experimentation. Raw materials will be included in the materials fee.

  • Cary Loving
    Tuition: $125 (members $110)
    Materials Fee: $25
    6 Thursdays, February 3 – March 10
    6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Ceramic Molds and Casting 
Intermediate/Advanced
In this two day techniques workshop, students will learn how to make 1 and 2 piece plaster molds for casting wax or ceramic elements for use in their art. Students will learn how to prepare objects for casting and how to use plaster, earthenware ceramic slip and paraffin wax to make sculpture and functional objects. Students should bring 3 small plastic buckets and a container of Vaseline, all other materials supplied.

  • Fiona Ross
    Tuition: $100 (members $85)
    Materials fee: $20.00
    2 Saturdays, May 14 and 21
    10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.