ADULT + FAMILY CLAY WORKSHOPS
Workshops are a great way to learn new ceramic techniques. Ranging between beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, we have a class or workshop for everyone! Become a member to receive discounts and early registration!
Check out our Membership Page to see what other perks you can receive. See you in the studio!
BEGINNER SPIN
One-Off Intro to Wheel Workshop
Monday, June 1st, 6pm-8:30pm
or
Tuesday, July 7th, 6pm-8:30pm
Teens and Adults
$65/person
The focus of this intro 2.5hr workshop is to familiarize participants with the process of throwing on the wheel.
We will cover centering, opening, and pulling clay
pieces on the potter's wheel. Because this is just a 2.5 hour introductory experience, the intention is to focus on process. You won’t go home with any finished pieces, but you will have a great evening learning a new skill, getting dirty, and meeting new people. Careful! You might just leave wanting more…
SUMMER FAMILY
CLAY PLAY
Sunday, June 7th
10am-11am
$20/person
Get ready for a hands-on, creativity-filled Family Clay Play Day (created especially for families with young children)! This fun and relaxed event is perfect for all ages—whether you’re a total beginner or love working with clay. Families can gather to shape, mold, and explore their imaginations together while creating unique keepsakes to take home.
Come ready to get a little messy, express your creativity, and make lasting memories! This event is held in our outside studio, under the tent.
Please allow 2-4 weeks for pick-up.
GOLD LUSTER WORKSHOP
With Ishara Sweeney
2 session workshop (must attend both sessions)
Saturday, June 19th from 9:30-12:00pm & Sunday, June 20th , 10-11am
Level: All levels (clay experience required)
$100/person ($70 registration + $30 materials fee)
In this workshop you’ll learn several techniques for applying real gold luster to your ceramic work. Metal lusters are applied as an overglaze, meaning they are painted onto fully glaze-fired pieces and then fired again in a low-temperature firing. During the firing, the liquid medium burns away, leaving a thin layer of real gold fused to the surface of the glaze. Because lusters require good ventilation, this workshop will take place in our outdoor classroom.
Participants must bring: 3–5 fully glaze-fired, finished pieces ready for luster application. Think mugs, cups, small bowls, bud vases (no plates or tiles due to firing space considerations). We’ll complete a dedicated luster firing at the end of the workshop and gather again the following morning to unload the kiln and review the results together.
SODA FIRING WORKSHOP
June 25th - 28th + June 2nd
<<Participants must commit to entire process>>
Day 1 - Thurs, June 25th, 4-6pm (mandatory)
Day 2 - Fri, June 26th, 8am-1pm (mandatory)
Days 3 & 4 - Sat and Sun, June 27th-28th (participants must sign up for 2 shifts)
Day 5 - Thurs, July 2nd, 4-6pm (mandatory)
Cost: $200 for public, $175 for members
(email programs@carbondaleclay.org for member discount code to use at checkout)
This is a full immersion Soda Firing Experience! Participants will learn glazing and atmospheric firing considerations, how to load and seal the kiln, kiln maintenance, adding soda during firing, and how to unload and clean the kiln post-use. Firing up the soda kiln takes a village and is a pretty special process to be a part of. Not to mention the beautiful effect it will give to your ceramics.
Requirements/Materials:
-Must bring 2 cubic feet worth of glazed-ware (ie - bisqued and glazed, but not glaze-fired)
-Natural fiber clothing
-Closed-toed shoes
-A Good Night’s Sleep (there might be some weird hours)
-PMA (Positive Mental Attitude)
-Water and snacks
MAKING MULTIPLES: INTRO TO MOLD MAKING & SLIP CASTING
With Dara Hartman
Saturday, July 18th, 10am-4:00pm (with lunch break)
Level: All levels (clay experience required)
Cost: $175 for public, $150 for members
(email programs@carbondaleclay.org for member discount code)
Want to learn the basics of mold making and slip casting? In this hands-on workshop Dara Hartman will demystify working with plaster and will guide you through a step by step process of creating beautiful molds that can be used for slip casting or press molds. You will learn formulas for calculating the plaster to water ratio, how to remove bubbles, and how to clean up molds for use. We will discuss different types of molds, how they’re used, and why they are made the way they are. Dara will also share how she makes her large scale ceramic quilts through design, mold making, slip casting multiples, and connecting parts. By the end of the workshop you will walk away with a one part mold to use in your practice. So as not to contaminate our studio, this workshop will be held in our outside classroom.
GET YOUR DRIP ON
Glaze Mixing 101 With
Matthew Eames
Classroom Day: August 22nd
10am-5pm (with an hour lunch break)
Mixing lab: Sunday, August 23rd
participants will sign up for a 45 minute slot to mix their glazes
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
This workshop is for clay nerds who want to learn how to create their own glazes from scratch. You know who you are (and we love you!).
Show up with ideas and prepare to have your mind blown with the possibilities. Class on Saturday will guide you through the process of mixing your own glazes. You will choose 3 different dream glazes to mix for your intended use and firing conditions, understand the technical and chemical considerations behind the choice, calculate the ratios for your glaze recipes, and observe mixing demos.
The 45 minute lab on Sunday will let participants mix their 3 glazes and glaze their test tiles. Students will gather once more after their test tiles are fired to share results and swap recipes.
Important: We will provide all participants with 3 high fire test tiles (Cone 10). If you would like to make Cone 04 or Cone 06 glazes, please pre-make and bisque your own test tiles to bring to class. Questions? Contact Matthew Eames at studio@carbondaleclay.org
SOMETHING OLD SOMETHING NEW
With Michael Wisner
Saturday, October 3rd
10am-5pm
Level: All levels (no prior clay experience required)
This hands-on workshop will honor the ancient art of Mexican and Southwest pottery with the intention to inspire contemporary expression. Expect to learn about and experience some of the artistic surface design techniques, tools, and gifts that Michael’s mentors taught to him.
RAKU WORKSHOP
Coming in Fall 2026
$75/person
Requirements/Materials:
-Must bring 2-3 bisqued pieces (not intended for food use)
-Natural fiber clothing
-Closed-toed shoes
-Outdoor clothes for the weather
-Water and snacks (will break for lunch)
-PMA (Positive Mental Attitude)
-Willingness to experiment and let go of the outcome
ENROLLMENT POLICY
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. A student will only be registered for a class upon receipt of tuition payment in full. We cannot guarantee placement into a class until payment is received. Materials and firing fees are included in the tuition.
CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel a registration and receive a refund, you must notify the CCC at least 7 days before the start date of your class. We will refund your payment minus a 10% cancellation fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less than 7 days before the start date of the class. In the event that the Clay Center is forced to cancel a class, a full refund will be issued.