of art & design
For clay classes and studio use, participants must be age 14 or older. All classes include a pass for access to the clay studio for the current semester. Workshops do not include a studio pass but workshop participants may purchase a studio pass at the level I price.
The studio is
also available for use without taking a class.
More information>
Cancellations: For a refund, the Crafts Center staff must be notified of a cancellation at least 7 days before the class or workshop begins; $10 is non-refundable. If the class or workshop is cancelled by the Crafts Center, you will receive a full refund.
Absences: To receive the best experience and get the most out of your class, attendance at all classes is important as there are no provisions for make-up sessions for missed classes.
For NCSU Students Only - Introduction to the Potter’s Wheel on Friday mornings, A Bright Idea!, and Crafting in the Afternoon: Sessions A & B. Find all the details on the NCSU Students Only page & view more classes especially for NC State Students.
INTRODUCTION TO THE POTTER’S WHEEL
Instructors: Section A - Charlene Poisel; Section B - Dylan Cruse (an NC State student);
Section C - Edge Barnes; Section D - Jo Ellen Westmoreland 
Would you like to learn how to work on the pottery wheel? This class covers the fundamentals of throwing basic forms: wedging, centering, forming and pulling walls to make cylinder forms, mugs, bowls and vases. You then will learn to trim and glaze to create finished pots. Practice time outside of class is strongly suggested to develop throwing skills. Supply fee includes initial bag of clay.
Section A:Monday evenings for 6 weeks, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, beginning
August 26 (skip Sept. 2)
Section B: Tuesday evenings for 6 weeks, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, beginning September 3
Section C: Thursday evenings for 6 weeks, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, beginning August 29
Section D: for NC State students only - Friday mornings for 6 weeks, 9:45 am - 12:15 pm, beginning September 6 (skip Sept. 27, Oct. 4 & 11)
Supply fee (all sections - for first bag of clay)
$18
Class fee (Sections A - C)
I = $49
II = $88
III = $98
Class fee (Section D: NC State students only)
$41
PUT A LID ON IT!
Instructor: Julie Olson
Lids look like the simplest part of a pot but that is far from the truth. In this intermediate to advanced level course you will learn to make your lids fit properly, relate proportionally to the pot, and belong to the piece - extending the line of the pot from the base to the top. Supply fee includes initial bag of clay. For more about Julie and her work, visit www.whiteoakartworks.com.
Wednesday evenings for 6 weeks, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, beginning August 28
Prerequisites: Intermediate level potter’s wheel skills required
Supply Fee (for first bag of clay)
$18
Class fee
I = $49
II = $88
III = $98
WHEEL THERAPY
Instructor: Jennifer Siegel
Looking for some inspiration? Is clay stressing you out? Want to refine your skills? Have a sketch, but are not sure how to create it? Sounds like you need Wheel Therapy. Forget all interruptions, pressures, and issues of the daily grind of life; it’s the greatest tension reliever resulting in great works of art. Join me in the clay studio for stress-free wheel instruction at your pace.
Saturday mornings for 6 weeks, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm, beginning September 7 (skip Sept. 28 & Oct. 12)
Prerequisite: Previous wheel throwing experience required – not a beginner class
Supply Fee (for first bag of clay)
$18
Class fee
I = $41
II = $74
III = $82
FOUNDATIONS OF HANDBUILDING
Instructor: Marina Bosetti
No experience necessary. Begin working with clay by handbuilding a variety of objects such as cups, bowls, plates and vases - all without touching a potter’s wheel! This class introduces students to many handbuilding techniques, including use of the slab roller and extruder, for creating functional and decorative work while preparing them for continuing studio use. Surface decoration and glazing will also be addressed. Practice time outside of class is strongly suggested to develop your skills. Supply fee includes initial bag of clay.For more about Marina and her work, visit her website at www.bosettiarttile.com.
Monday evenings for 6 weeks, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, beginning September 9
Supply Fee (for first bag of clay)
$18
Class fee
I = $49
II = $88
III = $98
EXPLORING GLAZES AND SURFACE DECORATION
Instructor: Edge Barnes
Avoid pesky glazing problems and mistakes! Explore Crafts Center glazes with a focus on the effects of the type of clay, thickness of application, compatibility of combinations, and surface texture. The first, and possibly the second class, will be devoted to glazing pre-made test tiles in white & dark clays - results to be discussed in class after being fired. The tests will be made available to the Clay Studio for reference by Studio members. Remaining sessions will be devoted to learning to make test tiles & reusable firing racks for you own use, and demonstrations & practice in various forms of surface decoration on clay; carving, impressing, slip application, sprigging, to name a few. (If you cannot attend the first two evenings, please do not sign up for this class.) See Edge’s work at www.edgebarnes.net.
Monday evenings for 6 weeks, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, beginning October 21 (skip Nov. 25)
Class fee
I = $49
II = $88
III = $98
COMPOUND FORMS REVISITED
Instructor: Julie Olson
Explore the process of making parts and assembling them into compound forms. Some of the forms we will be making are a vase, silverware drainer and a watering can. Intermediate to advanced throwing skills are a must. No beginners please. Supply fee includes initial bag of clay. For more about Julie and her work, visit www.whiteoakartworks.com.
Wednesday evenings for 6 weeks, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, beginning
October 16
Prerequisites: Intermediate level potter’s wheel skills required
Supply Fee (for first bag of clay)
$18
Class fee
I = $49
II = $88
III = $98
CONTINUING WHEEL
Instructor: Edge Barnes
This class is for students who understand the basics of centering and pulling up and would like to continue exploring their skills. Demonstrations will include small plates, lidded pots, pitchers, handles, etc. Students’ skill levels will help direct this class. Practice time outside of class is strongly suggested to develop throwing skills. See Edge’s work at www.edgebarnes.net.
Tuesday evenings for 6 weeks, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, beginning October 17 (skip Nov. 21 & 28)
Prerequisite: Introduction to the Potter’s Wheel class or equivalent
Supply Fee (for first bag of clay)
$18
Class fee
I = $49
II = $88
III = $98
RAKU FIRING (Workshop) 
Instructor: Conrad Weiser
Bring your pots in the biscuit state, ready to decorate. Glazes will be furnished, but you may bring your own. Workshop does not include a clay studio use pass but participants may purchase one at the Level I price. (All students taking the Raku Firing workshop for the first time at the Crafts Center are required to attend the introductory discussion of techniques and a video that will help you in planning appropriate forms for Raku firing. Note that Raku pots are primarily decorative, not functional or food safe). Visit Conrad’s website at conradwaltonweiser.com.
Introductory session – Saturday, September 14, 9:00 - 11:00 am
Raku Firing – Saturday & Sunday,October 19 & 20, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Supply fee (for glazes, gas & other consummables; does not include clay)
$20
Workshop fee
I = $44
II = $78
III = $87
(discounted studio pass must be purchased separately >more info)
ANIMAL SCULPTURE (Workshop)
Instructor: Gail Lawson
Would you like to learn to sculpt your dog, cat, horse, pet pig, bird, etc.? No experience with clay is necessary. Come prepared with photos from all angles of your favorite subject (full face, each side, back of head showing ears, top of head and under chin if possible). The photos need to be as large and clear as possible for reference. If you do not have a favorite, we will be sculpting the head of a Labrador Retriever from the instructor's photos. We will complete the sculpture in a two day workshop. The size will average 10-12” tall. Unless the animal is very simple, we will concentrate on a head and shoulders sculpture. We will also discuss how to build an urn from the sculpture. Supply fee includes first bag of clay. See example of Gail’s sculptures at www.gaillawson.com/animal_sculptures.htm.
Saturday & Sunday, October 19 & 20, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Supply Fee (for first bag of clay)
$18
Class fee
I = $38
II = $68
III = $76
For NCSU Students Only - Introduction to the Potter’s Wheel on Friday mornings, A Bright Idea!, and Crafting in the Afternoon: Sessions A & B. Find all the details on the NCSU Students Only page & view more classes especially for NC State Students.
CRAFTS CENTER INFORMATION: 919.515.2457