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Ceramics

Most ceramics classes at Brookfield Craft Center are categorized as high fire or low fire classes. These terms refer to the temperature at which the clay is fired in the kiln, but also defines the types of clay, glazes and techniques used and aesthetics achieved in each class. Throwing refers to using the potter’s wheel to form shapes while hand building refers to slab, coil and pinch techniques.

LOW FIRE

Earthenware is considered a low fire clay, and is fired in our electric kilns. Glazes retain stability at lower temperatures, so you can achieve bright colors and detailed designs. Lower temperatures also mean that the clay does not fully vitrify (or fuse), so that the glazes are what give low fire ceramics their waterproof qualities. Historically, low fire clays have been red, like terracotta. Now low fire clays are also readily available in light and white colors

HIGH FIRE

Stoneware and porcelain are high fire clays, and are fired in our outdoor gas kilns. As hard as stone, these clays fire to be strong and waterproof. Because the clay fully vitrifies (or fuses), it can be made into thin and delicate pieces and still remain strong. Ceramicists have less control of the end result of high fire glazes, creating unique, one-of-a-kind surfaces.

Click here to view PAST CERAMICS CLASSES

In Session and Upcoming Schedule at a Glance

Jan 23-Mar 12 Mon 6-9p Contemporary Ceramic Scuplture Sarah Bernhardt

Jan 24-Mar 13 Tues 10a-1p Low Fire Ceramics Lisa Scroggins

Jan 24-Mar 13 Tues 3-6p Throwing on the Wheel Clare Lewis

Apr 14 Sat 10a-5p Slipcasting Ceramic Tiles Lisa Muller

May 5 Sat 10a-5p Happiness is a Warm Extruder Hayne Bayless

Contemporary Ceramic Sculpture (evenings)

Tuition $460.00

All Levels (Beginners welcome)
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Sarah Bernhardt

CL0312 Jan 23 - Mar 12, 2012, 8 Monday evenings, 6-9 pm (Ceramics Barn)

Clay has acted as a medium for human expression for millennia. This course poses the question, “What does it mean to sculpt in the context of our contemporary world?” Whether fragile and detailed or stark and monumental, ceramic sculpture is a limitless field. Instructor Sarah Bernhardt will encourage and inspire students to explore a spectrum of sculptural techniques in clay. Use slab rolling, wheel throwing, handbuilding, extruding, carving, surface design and glazing methods to form figurative, abstract, decorative, site-specific, minimalistic, fantastical or narrative ceramic sculptural forms. A studio/materials fee of $15 covers your first bag of clay and is due at time of registration. Additional clay, glazing and firing fees will depend on the scope of individual projects. New students are encouraged to purchase a pottery tool kit for $15.

Low Fire Throwing and Handbuilding

Tuition $460.00

All Levels (Beginners welcome)
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Lisa Scroggins

CL0112 Jan 24 - Mar 13, 2012, 8 Tuesday mornings, 10am-1pm (Ceramics Barn)
[no class held one week during session]

Students at any skill level can choose to wheel throw and/or handbuild with low fire clay. Beginners will learn basic skills to express themselves through ceramics. Handbuilding methods of hand rolling, slab rolling, coil and pinch will be explored. Beginner throwers will be coached to center clay on the wheel and pull it to take shape. Students with ceramics experience will work on projects of their choosing and advance their skills and techniques and to achieve individual goals. Paint brushed underglazing techniques will be explored on bisque fired pieces. A studio/materials fee of $38 is due at time of registration and covers the cost of one bag of clay, underglazes and glazes. Additional clay will be available to purchase during class. New, beginner-level students are asked to purchase a basic pottery tool kit for $15. Firing fees are dependent upon the kiln space required per piece.

Throwing on the Wheel

Tuition $460.00

All Levels (Beginners welcome)
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Clare Lewis

CL0212 Jan 24 - Mar 13, 2012, 8 Tuesday afternoons, 3-6pm (Ceramics Barn)

If you’re a beginner who has always wanted to throw pottery on the wheel or a more experienced student who wants to improve, then this hands-on class is for you. Through numerous demonstrations and individual coaching, beginners will learn to throw the basic forms of cylinders, bowls and plates. Finishing techniques such as trimming and glazing will be covered as well as other decorating techniques to bring your own personal style to your work. Experienced students who have mastered the basic forms and are looking to learn more advanced throwing techniques will explore various ways to bring your own unique expression to your work. A studio/materials fee of $15 is due at time of registration and covers the cost of one bag of clay. Additional clay will be available to purchase during class. New, beginner-level students are asked to purchase a basic pottery tool kit for $15. Firing fees are dependent upon glazes used and kiln space required per piece.

Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Networking and Presentation Tips for Artists

Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Networking and Presentation Tips for Artists

Tuition $35.00

REGISTRATION CLOSED

All Levels (Beginners welcome)
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Camilla Cook

SM0212 Feb 18, 2012 (12pm - 2pm) Sat afternoon (River Room, Mill Building)

Artist consultant and independent curator, Camilla Cook, will speak about basic marketing materials and techniques for visual artists. She will explain how to write a successful Bio, Artist Statement & Resume and explain why each is important. She will also identify various opportunities to increase your exposure including: tips on networking, building a mailing list, unlocking the Internet's potential, and applying for exhibitions, grants and residencies. After the talk, the floor will be open for specific questions and discussion topics.

Writing an Artist Statement

Tuition $90.00

All Levels (Beginners welcome)
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Camilla Cook

SM0312 Mar 3, 2012 (12pm - 4pm) Sat afternoon (River Room, Mill Building)

What is an Artist Statement and why is it necessary? Stumped and overwhelmed by the task of putting your visual process into words? Join artist consultant and independent curator, Camilla Cook, as she demystifies the process in a nurturing environment. You will develop your ideas through a brainstorming session and series of guided steps. Using the notes of one volunteer as an example, the group will go through a complete editing process together. Then Camilla will spend one-on-one time helping individuals craft their own unique versions. Bring a journal/notebook and a pen/pencil. Also bring rough notes about your artwork and/or past Artist Statement versions (or attempts), if you have them.

Writing on the Wall: Social Media for Artists

Writing on the Wall: Social Media for Artists

Tuition $35.00

All Levels (Beginners welcome)
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Heather Lawless

SM0412 Mar 17, 2012 (12pm - 2pm) Sat afternoon (River Room, Mill Building)

The principles of networking haven't changed in decades, but the social scene is all new. Whether you are apprehensive, dragging your feet, or ready to embrace social networking online, this seminar will introduce you to the world of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and more. Learn all the tips and tricks of how to gain a following, expand your art's audience and get your name out into the world without having to shamelessly self-promote. Social networking is about building a community of like-minded people and sharing ideas, but it is also a science. Are you aware that there is a right and a wrong time of day to announce your upcoming exhibit? Did you know that you can tweet like you're out on the town while you're really fast asleep? Are you wondering what the heck a tweet is? Learn the nuances of privacy settings, the dirt on posting copyrighted original artwork, and the outright importance of social networking in the business of art.

Photographing Your Work

Tuition $110.00

All Levels (Beginners welcome)
Unsure if this class is appropriate for your skill level? Contact us and find out.

Joe Larese

SP0112 Apr 1, 2012 (10am-5pm) Sun (River Room, Mill Building)

Do photos never do your art justice? Present your work in the best light by learning simple digital photography tips with this one-day workshop. Professional photographer and fine craftsman, Joe Larese, is here to help non-professionals take clear, well lit photographs of your handwork. The course will introduce students to tabletop studio photography, which will allow you to photograph your work for documentation and marketing purposes. Demonstrations will include professional lighting techniques with inexpensive store-bought fluorescent lamps and reflecting materials, making a photo studio framework for supporting backgrounds and lights, and understanding digital camera settings. Students should bring one of your pieces to be photographed during hands-on exercises, your digital camera (if you own one), a tripod (if you own one) and your camera’s manual.

Happiness is a Warm Extruder

Tuition $185.00

All Levels
Hayne Bayless

CL0612 May 5, 2012 (10a-5p) Saturday (Ceramics Barn)

Brookfield Craft Center welcomes master potter Hayne Bayless to our ceramics studio. Spend the day with Hayne and fellow enthusiasts for a hands-on workshop on handbuilding. Students will explore extrusion and slab techniques as they relate to making functional stoneware. Myths will be busted and secrets revealed. Hayne's approach is to let the process show in the work, keeping in mind that by keeping out of clay’s way, the material will reveal its true nature and the results will remain fresh and lively. Learn unconventional forming methods and unusual approaches to surface decoration. Topics will include cutting stencils from Tyvek, colored slip inlay and stretched slabs, liquid latex resist and deer-tail brushes, fashioning tools out of common materials and modifying existing ones to suit specific needs, and how to make custom extruder dies. A $5 studio/materials fee is due at time of registration. Current BCC ceramics students who have already purchased clay may use their own supply. New students are asked to purchase a bag of clay for $15. Space is limited, so don't wait to register.

Click here to view PAST CERAMICS CLASSES