6-WEEK CERAMICS (Intermediate and Advanced)
These pottery classes are for individuals with clay experience.
You feel comfortable centering clay and pulling the walls of a cylinder. You feel comfortable making various objects and they want to further develop skills in the following areas: glazing composition and alternate firing techniques, construction of matching dinnerware pieces, nesting bowls, jars, teapots, and re-recreation of a variety of period pieces. These classes are project focused to build pottery skills and push your creative limits. Each instructor has a unique approach to the teaching process and will guide the course according to their area of expertise.
Are you ready to meet our pottery Master Class teachers? Read more about Mingjie Zhang, Ricky Blanding and Leah May below.
These pottery classes are for individuals with clay experience.
You feel comfortable centering clay and pulling the walls of a cylinder. You feel comfortable making various objects and they want to further develop skills in the following areas: glazing composition and alternate firing techniques, construction of matching dinnerware pieces, nesting bowls, jars, teapots, and re-recreation of a variety of period pieces. These classes are project focused to build pottery skills and push your creative limits. Each instructor has a unique approach to the teaching process and will guide the course according to their area of expertise.
Are you ready to meet our pottery Master Class teachers? Read more about Mingjie Zhang, Ricky Blanding and Leah May below.
These pottery classes are for individuals with clay experience.
You feel comfortable centering clay and pulling the walls of a cylinder. You feel comfortable making various objects and they want to further develop skills in the following areas: glazing composition and alternate firing techniques, construction of matching dinnerware pieces, nesting bowls, jars, teapots, and re-recreation of a variety of period pieces. These classes are project focused to build pottery skills and push your creative limits. Each instructor has a unique approach to the teaching process and will guide the course according to their area of expertise.
Are you ready to meet our pottery Master Class teachers? Read more about Mingjie Zhang, Ricky Blanding and Leah May below.
Welcome Ricky Blanding and Leah May!
Artist Statements:
Ricky Blanding: I've studied ceramics and pottery for 17 years and have been instructing clay and other mediums since 2011. After working at Pewabic Pottery as a fabrication artist, I started my own ceramics studio as well as my composting non-profit, Scrap Soils. I make commission work, sculpture, and small batch pottery. Now I'm growing my buisinesses and am excited to stay connected with artists and people who want to learn more about themselves through clay!
Leah May: Leah holds a degree in Ceramic Technology from Oakland Community College. She currently manages and instructs at Sugar Hill Clay studio in Midtown Detroit, MI. She has exhibited throughout Southeast MI including the Michigan Ceramics Exhibition (MCAA Biennial Exhibition) and received ceramic awards including Best in Show Grosse Pointe MI Art Fair. Previously she apprenticed for several artists, worked as a ceramic technologist, and taught workshops and classes at studios throughout southeast Michigan. Leah is a former board member of Ceramics Community Network and continues to cultivate her passion in all areas of ceramic art.
Mingjie Zhang: During my third year as a biochem major in university of Washington in Seattle, I realized my passion for fine art. Soon after, I moved to the Bay Area in California to pursue my dream of becoming an artist. I studied at Diablo Valley College ( DVC) for 4 years with focus on figurative oil painting. While I was at DVC, I kept finding myself returning to the ceramic studio doing independent studies. Aside from my artwork in ceramics, I would participate as teacher ‘s assistant and lab tech. I showed my ceramic works at the CCACA (2013/14, Davis, California). After moving to Michigan, I had a solo oil painting exhibition at the OCC Auburn Hills in in 2015. https://oaklandcc.wordpress.com/2015/02/26/student-paintings-on-exhibit-at-the-auburn-hills-library/. I also participated 2015 annual Great Lakes region community college art exhibition and won 2nd place.
Pottery Wheel (Guided Study) for Intermediate/Advanced Adults (AGS)
LEVEL: Intermediate – Advanced
Requirements: Students must be at least 16 years-old. Min/Max Enrollment: 4/8 students
Cost: $275 - $325
Time: Weekly classes, 3 hours each, (two-hours guided instruction, one-hour individual practice), AND — access to the wheels/tools for practice during open studio hours.
Description: This class is for individuals with clay experience. They feel comfortable centering clay and pulling the walls of a cylinder, and they want to further develop skills that allow them to construct matching pieces, nesting bowls, jars, teapots, and other pottery challenges. These classes are project focused to build pottery skills and push your creative limits.
What do I need to bring? Bring an apron, an old towel for cleaning your hands, clay tools, a sketch book, and your sense of humor.
What is provided? Each student will also receive 25 pounds of clay, weekly instruction, firing, glazing, and access to open studio for the duration of the six-week class. If a student uses all 25-pounds of clay, additional clay may be purchased. All students have access to CCG Open Studio for the duration of the class.
What is Open Studio? Open studio hours are designated times when students (not the general public) can access the studio to work on projects. During open studio hours, currently enrolled CCG students can:
Hone their pottery skills on the pottery wheel
Use wheels, handbuilding tools, wheel-throwing tools and other CCG resources (slab roller, extruders, tile cutters, glazes, slab and hump molds) for their artistic endeavors
Peruse a growing library of art books, pottery books and magazines
Glaze their pottery pieces with underglazes, brushing glazes, and dipping glazes
Engage with a community of aspiring and established potters about all things pottery
WHEN is Open Studio?
Open Studio is available six days a week. We try to ensure that wheels are readily available to students, Please plan your studio use in advance when possible. Students may reserve wheels in-person on our studio sign-up sheet. Online wheel reservations are coming soon!
Open Studio Hours:
Tuesdays: 5pm-10pm
Wednesdays: 12pm-10pm
Thursdays: 12pm-10pm
Fridays: 12pm-10pm
Saturdays: 12pm-5pm
Sundays: 12pm-5pm
Terms and Conditions:
Full payment is due upon registration. No Refunds.
If classes are cancelled due to studio closures like inclement weather or power outages, the class will resume the following week and the class end-date will be pushed back. If a student misses a class, they are allowed to make-up the class by sitting-in on another class (with permission of the instructor) during the same week. If a student misses multiple weeks of class, they should contact the instructor or studio manager to inquire about make-up opportunities.