Pathfinders Academy

Art in May | Ceramics | Tuesdays | Spring

Days: Tuesdays

Time: 3:30-5:00 pm.

Location: Pathfinders Lower Learning Lab (217 North 10th Street, Santa Paula, CA)

Program Description: Ceramics

Students will learn how to work with ceramic clay using a variety of tools and techniques. In this hand building class we will learn the basics of building clay vessels and sculptures without the use of a wheel. Each session will focus on different techniques and styles; we will start by making a pinch pot. Pinch pots are some of the oldest archaeological artifacts found on the planet, and are created by using your hands to shape the clay. From here we will learn how to roll and manipulate clay coils and slabs to build simple vessels (cups or bowls). With this technique we will learn scoring and slipping techniques for properly connecting wet-to-wet clay. Our final project will involve the slab building technique. Here we roll out clay to an even thickness, then cut shapes, fold, bend, and otherwise manipulate the clay to then join together to form a finished project. Each project will use low-fire earth clay and glaze. All pieces must be fired in the kiln (sometimes twice!) before they can be sent home.

All materials will be provided. 10 students or less in each class.