Meeting Times

• Thursday 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Description

In-person class at Fox Chapel Area High School.

No class Thursday, February 5.

NEW! For beginners as well as anyone with experience handbuilding with clay. 

Join professional potter Karen McKee this winter for a new hands-on series that lets you get creative, experiment with surface designs, learn the basics of handbuilding or refine your craftsmanship, and take home functional art you'll love. 

In this guided workshop, you’ll enjoy small group lessons and demonstrations while also receiving hands-on, individualized guidance from a professional potter. Karen will guide you in creating beautiful, functional tumblers and vases.

• New to handbuilding? Lessons will focus on handbuilding basics of preparing clay slabs, slipping and scoring for strong joints, and shaping attractive and functional pieces.
• Previous handbuilding experience? Lessons will focus on ways to refine your craftsmanship and elevate your skills to the next level.
• All students will learn:
  • Proper application of glaze and glazing techniques
  • Texture, pattern, and surface design
  • Creative details to incorporate that make pieces uniquely yours

Due to limited kiln availability this winter, the workshop provides an opportunity for you to focus on your craftsmanship and also learn new surface decoration techniques to apply to your carefully-crafted creations. The structure of this class will differ slightly from past pottery series:

• Students will complete up to 10 finished pieces, sized between 3" × 3" and 12" × 12".
• There will be one bisque firing after Week 4.
• Week 5 will focus on surface decoration and glazing techniques.
• One glaze firing will take place after Week 6. 

All clay, glazes, and firing costs are included in the class fee and based on this number of pieces. To ensure fairness and kiln space for all participants, additional pieces cannot be fired or held for future sessions.

FCAAE uses a clay that is microwave-, dishwasher-, and oven-safe — so you’ll go home with lasting pieces you can enjoy every day.

Class-Specific Notes

Your class fee includes a 25 lb bag of clay, all glazes and firings for the 10 pieces you create this winter.

No class Thursday, February 5.

New Students must have their own 8 piece clay tool kit. Various manufacturers and vendors offer kits with the required assortment of tools. Please make sure your set has all the items shown here.

• Your instructor created a limited number of 8 piece clay tool kits from her personal inventory of clay tools - available the first night of class for $10. If you wish to purchase one of these kits, email director@fcaae.org and let us know to reserve one for you.