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

• June 6, June 7, June 13
Concrete Planters
with Kim Kuzina

• August 18 - 22
Sectional Throwing for Maximal Effect
with Richard Aerni

Workshops in Weaving/Basketry/Fibers

• May 3
Cellulosic Fiber Dye
with Janney Simpson

• May 17 & 18
Fiber, Wire & Beads
with Cheryl Tuttle

• July 25 & 26
Sewing with Handwoven Fabric
with Sharon Baker Kelly

Workshops in Jewelry

• June 28 & 29
A Mildred Weiner Workshop
Hinge Sampler
with Christopher Darway

Weaving - Cellulosic Fiber Dye
with Janney Simpson

This workshop will focus on painting warps, wefts and skeins suitable for knitting as well as weaving. Participants will also learn how to set up for two color gradation dyeing. Spontaneous color blending and experimentation will be the focus of the workshop. All dyes used will be ProChem MX Reactive dyes suitable for all cellulose fibers, including cotton, linen, rayon, tencel, bamboo, ramie, hemp, paper and basket reed. The dyes will be provided, but students should bring their own prepared fibers for dyeing.

Fibers: Sec. W101. Janney Simpson
1 session; Saturday
May 3
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tuition: $75.00 Materials Fee: $5
Materials Fee: $40

Fiber, Wire & Beads
with Cheryl Tuttle

Through the use of demonstration, discussion, and instruction, students will create a necklace using beads, wire, and fiber. Techniques will include: wrapping with wire, adding beads to wire crochet, adding fiber, and peyote stitch. Design, inspiration, materials, and structural integrity will be discussed. Students should bring found objects that may be appropriate for a pendant or attachment. Example: wood, glass, bone, pottery, buttons, feathers, etc. Students should also bring magnifying glasses if needed for close up work (seed beads).

Fiber, Wire & Beads 
Jewelry: Sec. J101. Cheryl Tuttle
2 sessions; Saturday & Sunday
May 17 & 18
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tuition: $100.00
Materials Fee: $25.00

Concrete Planters
with Kim Kuzina

Students will learn the process for creating large decorative garden sculptures using concrete. The interior structure of these projects allow them to be substantial in size, yet remarkably light-weight. Concrete is a wonderfully durable medium and can last for a very long time through all kinds of weather. A variety of effects can be achieved using different mixes, methods and coloring. Each student will complete an 11" x 11" x 6" planter, or a comparable heart-shaped planter. The techniques learned can apply to a number of sculptural forms.

Pottery Workshop: Sec. P101. Kim Kuzina
3 sessions
Friday, June 6, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 7, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday, June 13, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Tuition: $110.00
Materials Fee: $25.00

A Mildred Weiner Workshop
Hinge Sampler
with Christopher Darway

Unhinged, screw loose, and popped a gasket? Funny how human conditions relate to mechanics. If you are missing a screw, see a psychiatrist. For a loose hinge, take this workshop with Chris Darway. Students will produce samples of 3-4 (maybe more) types of hinges over the course of this weekend workshop. Using Darway’s signature "kits" of supplied parts, the class will plow through the projects and produce working samples that can be adapted to your own designs. This class is open to intermediate and advanced students: one year of metalsmithing experience is required.

A Mildred Weiner Workshop
Hinge Sampler
Jewelry: Sec. J101. Christopher Darway
2 sessions; Saturday & Sunday
June 28 & 29
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tuition: $185.00
Materials Fee: $25.00

Sewing with Handwoven Fabric
with Sharon Baker Kelly

The process of choosing fibers and structures for weaving is both joyous and challenging, and creating one-of-a-kind wearable sculpture is an enviable art! Students will learn the basics of cutting, stabilizing and sewing handwoven fabric of all weights and fibers. Pattern selection for fit and style will be covered, along with some tricks of the trade to make sewing easier. Students will create a notebook of seams and finishes, as well as create a tote bag or pillow using your own handwoven scraps, coordinating bias strips, and fusible interfacing. A sewing machine in clean, working order, and a familiarity with sewing basics is required.

Weaving Sewing with Handwoven Fabric
Weaving: Sec. W101. Sharon Baker Kelly
2 sessions; Friday & Saturday
July 25 & 26
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tuition: $185.00
Materials Fee: $15.00

Sectional Throwing for Maximal Effect
with Richard Aerni

Richard will teach ways to develop extreme forms and large scale works using plaster and bisqueware bases for sectional work on the wheel. Methods of working in this manner will be demonstrated, and participants will then design and create their own forms using this approach. Plaster working techniques and bisqueware forms will be demonstrated as well. Aspects of glazing and decorating large and complex forms will be discussed, with a focus on spray glazing. Participants are encouraged to bring ideas for design and construction as well as a selection of bisqueware to glaze during the workshop. Materials extra. See cover photo.

Pottery Workshop: Sec. P102. Richard Aerni
5 sessions; Monday - Friday
August 18 - 22
Tuition: $490.00