Classes
Enroll now for February 16 through March 29 Session
All classes include additional Open Studio hours (Tues 1-3 and Fri, Sat, Sun 1-4) to practice on your own.
All materials and supplies are included.
Call us at (415) 272-9932
Monday 6 – 8 PM Class
$249 for six weeks
Intermediate Wheel Throwing
Intermediate Wheel Throwing for adults is for those who are already comfortable with centering clay on the wheel and making basic forms. In this class we will introduce handles, lids, and modifying wheel thrown forms with additional techniques. I feel you will be challenged but enjoy learning lidded and altered forms as soon as possible. This class still provides an introduction to basic studio knowledge and continued instruction in glazing. This class is usually repeated a few times as students advance.
Tuesday 1 – 3 PM Class
$249 for six weeks
All Levels Wheel Throwing
All Levels Wheel Throwing for Beginning through Advanced levels.
All Levels Wheel Throwing for adults beginning through advanced levels. Due to small class size, we can offer enough individual attention to teach multiple techniques to everyone. This is a great class for those who had a class awhile ago or intermediate potters just getting back into it. We cover an introduction to basic studio knowledge and continued instruction in glazing. Students can repeat a few times as they advance.
Tuesday 6 – 8 PM Class
$249 for six weeks
Ceramic Sculpture – Ecole des Beaux Arts
This is the class Ellen taught at the Ecole des Beaux Arts (National Art Academy) in Aix en Provence, France. Ceramic Sculpture methods include coiling, slabs, geometric and organic forms. The forms may be functional like bowls, platters and cups or vases. Other forms may be purely sculptural. These forms may come from drawings or other research, natural forms you’ve gathered from nature or found objects you wish to use as inspiration. Whether you are a beginner or intermediate level, sign up for this class to explore the many other ways that you can work with clay. Basic studio knowledge will be covered as well as introduction to colored slips and glazing techniques. This class is usually repeated a few times as students advance.
Wednesday 10 – Noon Class
$249 for six weeks
All Levels Wheel Throwing
All Levels Wheel Throwing for Beginning through Advanced levels.
All Levels Wheel Throwing for adults beginning through advanced levels. Due to small class size, we can offer enough individual attention to teach multiple techniques to everyone. This is a great class for those who had a class awhile ago or intermediate potters just getting back into it. We cover an introduction to basic studio knowledge and continued instruction in glazing. Students can repeat a few times as they advance.
Wednesday 1 – 3 PM Class
$249 for six weeks
Ceramic Sculpture – Ecole des Beaux Arts
This is the class Ellen taught at the Ecole des Beaux Arts (National Art Academy) in Aix en Provence, France. Ceramic Sculpture methods include coiling, slabs, geometric and organic forms. The forms may be functional like bowls, platters and cups or vases. Other forms may be purely sculptural. These forms may come from drawings or other research, natural forms you’ve gathered from nature or found objects you wish to use as inspiration. Whether you are a beginner or intermediate level, sign up for this class to explore the many other ways that you can work with clay. Basic studio knowledge will be covered as well as introduction to colored slips and glazing techniques. This class is usually repeated a few times as students advance.
Wednesday 6 – 8 PM Class
$249 for six weeks
Intermediate Wheel Throwing
Intermediate Wheel Throwing for adults is for those who are already comfortable with centering clay on the wheel and making basic forms. In this class we will introduce handles, lids, and modifying wheel thrown forms with additional techniques. I feel you will be challenged but enjoy learning lidded and altered forms as soon as possible. This class still provides an introduction to basic studio knowledge and continued instruction in glazing. This class is usually repeated a few times as students advance.
Thursday 6 – 8 PM Class
$249 for six weeks
Beginning Wheel Throwing – University of Michigan
This class was taught by Ellen to first year students at University of Michigan. is for adults that want to learn how to make pottery, cups, bowls, plates on the Potter’s Wheel. If you have never tried this before, or maybe it has been awhile since you took another class, this is the best class to sign up for. You will learn basic studio knowledge, learn to center clay on the wheel and create cups, bowls, and plates. You will learn the basics of glazing to finish your work. My teaching methods help you achieve confidence in beginning pottery during your first 6 week session.
Saturday 10 – Noon Class
$249 for six weeks
$189 for ages 11 – 16
Beginning Wheel Throwing – University of Michigan
This class was taught by Ellen to first year students at University of Michigan. is for adults that want to learn how to make pottery, cups, bowls, plates on the Potter’s Wheel. If you have never tried this before, or maybe it has been awhile since you took another class, this is the best class to sign up for. You will learn basic studio knowledge, learn to center clay on the wheel and create cups, bowls, and plates. You will learn the basics of glazing to finish your work. My teaching methods help you achieve confidence in beginning pottery during your first 6 week session.
Open Studio Hours
Open Studio Hours are included with each of the above classes so you can come in and practice what you learned in class. This will give you about 2 hours of practice in addition to your class time at no extra charge. All studio equipment is available but no formal instruction is taking place. This is the very best way to make the most out of your class experience and help you to achieve the results you want. You must be registered in one of the above classes to attend Open Studio hours.
Open Studios Tuesdays, 1-3pm, and Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays 1 – 4pm.
Classes
Enroll now for July 7 through August 16 Session
All classes include additional Open Studio hours (Fri, Sat, Sun 1-4) to practice on your own.
All materials and supplies are included.
Call us at (415) 272-9932
Our classes rotate throughout the year so that each time slot moves from beginner to more advanced classes.
We are taking a vacation during the end of June - Summer Session two runs from July 7 - August 16th
Monday 6 - 8 PM
$249 for six weeks
Platters and Serving Bowls
Celebrations throughout the year highlight serving bowls, platters, and special plates from the potter's repertoire. These were always on the list of my production pottery at Sun Valley Center for the Arts in Ketchum Idaho. Specific forms will be demonstrated and taught over the next six weeks. It's fun, freeing, and extremely gratifying to explore these forms.
Tuesday 1 - 3 PM
$249 for six weeks
All Levels Wheel Throwing
All Levels Wheel Throwing for adults beginning through advanced levels. Due to small class size, we can offer enough individual attention to teach multiple techniques to everyone. This is a great class for those who had a class awhile ago or intermediate potters just getting back into it. We cover an introduction to basic studio knowledge and continued instruction in glazing. Students can repeat a few times as they advance.
Tuesday 6 - 8 PM
$249 for six weeks
Mixed class with some students choosing beginning wheel and some choosing hand building projects.
Beginning Wheel Throwing
This class was first taught by Ellen to first year students at University of Michigan. It is for adults that want to learn how to make pottery, cups, bowls, and plates on the Potter's Wheel. If you have never tried this before, or maybe it has been awhile since you took another class, this is the best class to sign up for. You will learn basic studio knowledge, learn to center clay on the wheel, and create cups, bowls, and plates. You will learn the basics of glazing to finish your work. My teaching methods help you achieve confidence in beginning pottery during your first 6 week session.
Handbuilding with Slabs and Coils
I realized very early that pottery made on the wheel wasn't going to get me to the ideas I wanted to express. Then I had to develop techniques in hand building that could get me there. After getting my MFA in Michigan, I took a teaching job near Chicago. I first exhibited my slab work in juried shows and small gallery shows in Chicago. One of those led to a commissioned project for a large mural!
I enjoy teaching students to start with an idea and then get the clay to create that idea, sticking closely to their desired outcome and not giving way to letting the clay decide what it will be. This introduces the idea of having a mental concept and a vision for a piece before you begin. Then students will be presented with techniques for creating in clay using hand building forming methods. It will be their choice to do each assignment with slabs or coils. Direction will be given in coming up with an inspiration or idea for the project and then the techniques to carry out that vision.
Wednesday 10 - Noon
$249 for six weeks
All Levels Wheel Throwing
All Levels Wheel Throwing for adults beginning through advanced levels. Due to small class size, we can offer enough individual attention to teach multiple techniques to everyone. This is a great class for those who had a class awhile ago or intermediate potters just getting back into it. We cover an introduction to basic studio knowledge and continued instruction in glazing. Students can repeat a few times as they advance.
Wednesday 1 - 3 PM
$249 for six weeks
Handmade Ceramic Baskets and Centerpieces
Betty Woodman
Baskets bring a sense of celebration and abundance to pottery. Inspired by artists like Betty Woodman and Zan Barnes, this class explores the joy of creating expressive, sculptural baskets and bowls with graceful curves, high-arching handles, and intricate details.
You’ll learn how to transform standard techniques into innovative pieces. We will emphasize the close attention to drying stages, handle attachments, and glazing techniques that these forms require.
I hope you’ll enjoy this blog article: Baskets, April, May, and June
Wednesday 6 - 8 PM
$249 for six weeks
Dinner Sets
Ellen's students at University of Denver School of Arts loved this class. In this advanced class, you will make a complete set of dinnerware including plates, salad bowls, soup bowls, and bread plates. You will learn how to create artistic sets that will be perfect for everyday use.
Thursday 6 - 8 PM
$249 for six weeks
Beginning Wheel Throwing
This class was first taught by Ellen to first year students at University of Michigan. It is for adults that want to learn how to make pottery, cups, bowls, and plates on the Potter's Wheel. If you have never tried this before, or maybe it has been awhile since you took another class, this is the best class to sign up for. You will learn basic studio knowledge, learn to center clay on the wheel, and create cups, bowls, and plates. You will learn the basics of glazing to finish your work. My teaching methods help you achieve confidence in beginning pottery during your first 6 week session.
Saturday 10 - Noon
$249 for six weeks
Beginning Wheel Throwing
This class was first taught by Ellen to first year students at University of Michigan. It is for adults that want to learn how to make pottery, cups, bowls, and plates on the Potter's Wheel. If you have never tried this before, or maybe it has been awhile since you took another class, this is the best class to sign up for. You will learn basic studio knowledge, learn to center clay on the wheel, and create cups, bowls, and plates. You will learn the basics of glazing to finish your work. My teaching methods help you achieve confidence in beginning pottery during your first 6 week session.
Open Studio Hours
Open Studio Hours are included with each of the above classes so you can come in and practice what you learned in class. This will give you about 2 hours of practice in addition to your class time at no extra charge. All studio equipment is available but no formal instruction is taking place. This is the very best way to make the most out of your class experience and help you to achieve the results you want. You must be registered in one of the above classes to attend Open Studio hours.
Open Studios Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays 1 – 4pm.