Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art

Adult Beginning Ceramics - $170
Dates: Wednesdays, October 7th - November 11th
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00pm
Room: Wheel Throwing room
Skill Level: No experience necessary!  

*25-pound bag of clay included. Additional clay needed will be available for purchase.

This 6-week course is designed to introduce students to clay using the potter's wheel. In this class students will create functional tableware. Students will learn the basics with step-by-step instruction on how to throw a cylinder and a bowl. Students will finish forms with trimming, adding handles, knobs and some surface decoration. Students will learn a variety of techniques by being introduced to various decorating and glazing techniques. Please come to class ready to practice, get dirty and have fun! One bag of clay with all glazes and firings are included, additional clay is available for purchase. 

Note: It is recommended that you take this course more than once before you move on to Intermediate Ceramics. 

Instructor: Jake Duty

Jake is originally from Dutton, Montana, and spent his childhood in the country. As a child, Jake was well acquainted with nature and the outdoors — taking many fishing, camping, and hunting trips with his family. His mother being a public-school art teacher, Jake spent many hours in the art classrooms of Brady and Dutton Public Schools where he found a love for the arts.
      Jake discovered wheel-thrown pottery when he took his first pottery class here at Paris Gibson Museum of Art in 2014. After graduating from high school in 2016, he completed a bachelor's degree in Environmental Horticulture Science at Montana State University. He moved to Great Falls in 2023, where he took a horticulture position with Great Falls Parks and Recreation. Having a deep love for both nature and ceramic art, much of his artwork is inspired by the imagery, rhythms, and movement found in nature. Currently, Jake is passionate about creating primarily wheel-thrown functional stoneware and porcelain.