HOME : WORKSHOPS

There are a variety of workshops given at Wesleyan Potters throughout the year. You may sign up for one by calling our office during office hours, also each class links to a class sign up form, that you may print and mail in to us.

Workshops in Ceramics

• March 19, 20 & 21
  Throwing & Altering on a Slow Wheel
  with Sam Taylor

Weaving/Basketry

• April 23 & 24
  Market Basket
  with Sosse Baker

Workshops in Jewelry

• March 27 & 28
  A Mildred Weiner Workshop
  Resin Workshop
  with Karen Christians

• April 10 & 11
  Etching
  with Gina Dunlap

Throwing & Altering
on a Slow Wheel
with Sam Taylor

The instructor will demonstrate pot making on a Leach wheel, both throwing and altering forms. From cylinders with handles (cups) to cylinders with spouts and lids, he will talk about the "Five Great Rules of Making Pottery" and how and why to break each one. Using the Leach wheel forces potters to go slowly, so Sam Taylor will make as many pots as he can, as slowly as possible. Participants will follow along on electric wheels using similar techniques. Discussion topics may include: boundries and borders, transitions, routes to discovery, repetition, creation, tension, grace, and elegance. Please bring a piece of pottery to the workshop. Using pottery and talking about pottery is integral to the workshop as it is to life. Materials cost extra.

Adult Pottery: Sec. P101. Sam Taylor
3 sessions; Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
March 19, 20 & 21
9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Tuition: $375.00

Market Basket
with Sosse Baker

Just in time for the Farmers Markets! This sturdy basket is woven in a checkerboard pattern with a hand carved black ash handle and skids on the bottom. It measures approximately 15" x 11" and is 8" tall, excluding the handle. Beginners are welcome!

Basketry: Sec. B101. Sosse Baker
2 sessions; Friday & Saturday
April 23 & 24
10:00 am - 3:30 pm
Tuition: $98.00
Materials Fee: $45.00

A Mildred Weiner Workshop
Resin Workshop
with Karen Christians

Add color to your work! You can create textures, colors and patterns without relying on high fired enamels. By employing epoxy resin, you can add wood, bone, paint pigments and sand. Raid your kitchen cabinet for spices like tumeric and oregano. We will fabricate jewelry based on cloisonné techniques with sterling silver wire, sheet and tubing. You will build a palette of amazing colors and textures to build your pieces. Must have good soldering skills (this is an intermediate/advanced workshop). This workshop is funded in part by the Mildred Weiner Fund.

Jewelry: Sec. J102. Karen Christians
2 sessions; Saturday & Sunday
March 27 & 28
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuition: $225.00
Materials Fee: $50.00

Etching
with Gina Dunlap

This hands-on course will explore the technique of etching metal using acids and resists. Etching can produce a rich and varied surface embellishment to create textures, images, and text to enhance any work. Students will learn several methods of creating resists using some innovative materials. Areas covered will include preparing the metal; creating a design by painting with asphaltum and using resist pens and stamps; etching in layers; and various methods of design transfer, including photocopy and PnP heat transfer. You will learn to make printmaking plates for extended use. Precious Metal Clay and Polymer Clay artists will be able to use these plates to make their own work unique. We will also discuss safe use and disposal of acids. Exciting textures can be achieved very quickly using this safe and easy tabletop technology. Etching can be done on a flat sheet and on raised and dieformed pieces. The class is open to all. Metal will be available for purchase.

Jewelry: Sec. J101. Gina Dunlap
2 sessions; Saturday & Sunday
April 10 & 11
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tuition: $165.00
Materials Fee: $20.00