Pottery Classes
Hand Building and Throwing on the Wheel
Learn techniques from our experienced instructors, Cynthia Zmetronak and Samantha Booth. All levels welcome!
Program consists of 6 three-hour classes and 1 three hour supervised open studio time (the final class of each session.) Clay is available for purchase. Additional $30 supply fee per session.
The pottery studio has two kilns, wheels, slab roller, and an extruder. Pottery Class Policy may be obtained by contacting the Sandler Center at lesleys@levisjcc.org or 561-558-2540.
Classes are now offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays as follows:
TUESDAYS
October 25, November 1, 8, 15, 29, December 6, 13
Tuesday Session 1A: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm; Tuesday Session 1B: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14
Tuesday Session 2A: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm; Tuesday Session 2B: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
February 21, 28, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4
Tuesday Session 3A: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm; Tuesday Session 3B: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
April 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Tuesday Session 4A: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm; Tuesday Session 4B: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
THURSDAYS
October 27, November 3, 10, 17, December 1, 8, 15
Thursday Session 1A: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm; Thursday Session 1B: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
January 5, 12, 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16
Thursday Session 2A: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm; Thursday Session 2B: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
February 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, April 3*
Thursday Session 3A: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm; Thursday Session 3B: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
*April 3 is a Monday and this will be the studio date for this session
April 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18, 25, June 1
Thursday Session 4A: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm; Thursday Session 4B: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
There are NO make-up times, credits, refunds or rescheduling for missed classes or studio time.
Session Rates:
Regular - $350 Platinum, Gold or Gold Plus - $320
Ceramics Workshops
Dates and pricing as noted below.
Ceramic Decals
Wednesday, October 26, 1:00 pm
Upcycle your current plain white ceramic dishes or add new ones to your collection by adding ceramic decals. During class you will learn:
- Preparation of piece for decal
- Decal application process
- Firing process to create a permanent surface
- Care for finished work
You may bring 2 or 3 white or very light colored finished ceramic pieces measuring 10 inches in any direction or less. Examples of these pieces may include but are not limited to: mugs, plates, bowls or vases. Bringing a small scissor from home for cutting the decals would be helpful. There will also be plain white ceramic pieces available for purchase during the workshop should you choose to decorate a piece available for purchase. Decal packets are included with class that include a variety selection of decals. Firing at the appropriate temperature for the decals also included in the workshop price. A date and time will be arranged for picking up your finished work approximately one week or more after class.
$55 (Minimum of 5 students required)
Making Your Own Linoleum Stamps
Wednesday, November 9, 1:00 pm
Join pottery instructor Cynthia Zmetronak as she demonstrates how she designs and creates the stamps used to make her pottery. Topics will include the materials: linoleum speedy carve and speedball carving tools and how to impress while carving to check your image content. The linoleum block sheets we will be using measure 4 X 6 inches. Bringing an image in this size range is not necessary but can be very helpful if you already have something in mind. After carving, we will impress our carvings on the appropriate size piece of clay to be dried and fired.
$55 (Minimum of 4 students required)
Triaxial Blend 2-Part Workshop
Wednesdays, November 30 and December 7, 1:00 pm
In this workshop, you will learn how to blend 3 premade commercial or studio glazes to create several new glazes. Measuring and testing our new formulas will be part of the class. Due to the necessity to fire our test tiles to gain results, this class will meet twice. The first class will be learning how to make, note and apply test formulas, the second class we will organize and discuss our results. First class 3 hours, second class 1.5 hours
$95 (Minimum of 4 students required)
Ceramic Jewelry 3-Part Workshop
Session 1: Fridays December 9, 16, 23, 10:00 am
Session 2: Fridays February 3, 10, 17, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Make your own ceramic jewelry. Learn how to manipulate clay into a statement pendant, earrings , bracelet or broche. Open to all level students. Class will focus on techniques you can use to make your own individual pieces. Work will be fired twice and ready to take home at end of third meeting.
$60 each session (Minimum of 4 students required)
Basic Glaze Making 2-Part Workshop
Wednesdays, January 4 and 11, 1:00 pm
Learn the basics of making a mid-range cone 6 glaze. Gain a better understanding of glazes and the factors behind them. We will be using scales to measure and mix glaze components. We will be testing our formulas on test tiles. Gloves and masks will be provided and must be worn during class for your safety. You will be working with chemicals. The first class will be learning how to make, note and apply glazes. The second class we will organize and discuss our results.
$95 (Minimum of 4 students required)
Photographing Your Ceramics
Wednesday, January 25, 1:00 pm
Come learn how to style your ceramic art for natural looking, professional quality photos. It’s easy with just a few basics. I’ve grown my business with great photos which have been used in magazines, a pottery ad for Shimpo wheels, and caught the eyes of TV producers for Disney. Learn to take professional photos with your phone for online posting on sites like Instagram and Etsy, for art shows and magazine submissions and make sure your beautiful work shows through. We will cover back drops, composition, lighting, and some simple settings on your phone. Don’t be intimidated, it’s easier than creating the ceramic work itself! Materials An IPhone 10 or equivalent smartphone (or later) with camera. Three to five of your own ceramic pieces.
$40 (Minimum of 6 students required)
Screen Printing On Clay
Wednesday, February 1, 1:00 pm
Come create your very own screen print from your own design. No drawing skills needed. You will make a custom, personalized screen design that you can use to print on your clay. It can be used over and over in your own ceramic art. A beautiful tool that will be all your own and will make designing new ceramic art easy and fun. Please bring photos of nature or simple objects that can be drawn or traced with a black marker.
$100 (Minimum of 4 students required)
Advanced Glazing Techniques 2-Part Workshop
Wednesdays, February 8 and 15, 1:00 pm
Students will learn a variety of techniques such as glaze application, blending and masking using glazes and underglazes. Each student will be provided with two pre-fired tiles and a small cylinder to use for this workshop. One tile will be a practice and reference tile, the second tile will be to create a design using one or more of the techniques learned in the workshop and the cylinder will be used for creating a dripped glaze effect. Students are encouraged to bring a reference photo of a finished glazed ceramic piece they would be interested in talking about. First class - three hour workshop followed by a 1.5hr follow-up one week later to pick up glazed pieces, discuss results and Q&A Open to beginners too!
$95 (Minimum of 4 students required)
Selling Your Art Online With Etsy
Wednesday, February 22, 1:00 pm
Come join us for this class if you’ve ever thought about selling your art online. I can show you how to start your business with a few basic steps. I can share what I have learned with thousands of sales in my own Etsy shop. What to sell, how to write descriptions, and how to set up an Etsy shop for success. Whether you want to list a few things you have made for fun or you’d like to start selling more seriously, this class will cover both. You will need to bring a cell phone, iPad or computer to class.
$40 (Minimum of 6 students required)
22K Gold Luster 2-Part Workshop
Wednesdays, March 8 and 15, 1:00 pm
Have you ever wanted to add real gold to your ceramics but haven’t had the materials or knowledge needed? In this class we will cover everything from *Application, *Tips on successful results *Decorative ideas. Then we will decorate your pottery with 22k gold. Please bring a few completely finished pieces that you would like to add gold to. We will apply the gold during class. **Special masks will be provided for the class. Please make sure you are comfortable wearing a 3M respirator with cartridge. It is mandatory for your safety!
$145 (Minimum of 4 students required)
