Pottery Classes in Hickory NC

CVCC Potters’ Workshop announces summer session of workshops and seminars.


Two Week Intensive Workshops:

Beginning and Intermediate Wheel Throwing with Preston Tolbert
June 2 – June 13, 2014 Monday thru Friday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
This two week intensive workshop is designed for the beginning through intermediate potter. Students will learn a variety of turning techniques to create utilitarian forms using the potters' wheel. Topics include clay bodies and preparation, tools and equipment, centering, turning basic to intermediate forms, trimming, surface design, slips and glazes, and firing.

Raku Pottery with Preston Tolbert
June 16 – June 27, 2014 Monday thru Friday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Experience the excitement of Raku, an ancient Japanese method of glazing and firing pottery. This two week intensive workshop will include using the potters wheel as well as hand building techniques to create unique clay pieces. The last three classes are devoted to students glazing and firing pieces in a Raku kiln. The experience is spontaneous and dramatic as the pieces emerge from the fire. This class if for the beginner as well as the experienced potter.

Catawba Valley Pottery & Clay with Steve Abee
July 7 – July 18, 2014 Monday thru Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
This two week intensive workshop will explore the making of functional pottery using local Catawba Valley clay that reflects the style of the Catawba Valley Pottery tradition. Our focus will be to create vessels such as jugs, jars and pitchers that are inspired by the tradition. Basic wheel throwing experience is required.

Scratching the Surface with Raine Middleton
July 7 – July 18, 2014 Monday thru Friday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Fresh ideas for surface design and decoration will expand your creative expression. In this two week intensive workshop we will explore options for decorating pottery that will spice up the surface in new and interesting ways. Learn about or continue to practice sgraffito using terra sigillata. This workshop is open to anyone with basic wheel throwing or handbuilding experience.

Intensive Wheel Throwing with Po-Wen Liu
July 21 – August 1, 2014 Monday thru Friday from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
The focus of this two week workshop will be on developing and improving your wheel throwing skills. Students will be introduced to different techniques to create functional forms. We will also cover surface decoration techniques such as chattering, carving, slip trailing and inlay. This workshop is open to anyone with basic throwing experience.

Handbuilding & Surface Decoration with Shelly Johnston
July 21 – August 1, 2014 Monday thru Friday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Now you have a handbuilding class under your belt, how about trying some advanced projects and new approaches to glazing and decorating your work? In this two week intensive workshop you will learn how to make tiles, lanterns, planters or flower vases, all with new surface treatments. Students will do work without the use of the potters' wheel. Enroll now and explore new possibilities!


Five Week Workshop:

Beginning Pottery: Handbuilding & Throwing with Evelyn Arnold
May 27- June 26, 2014 Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Beginning Pottery is an introductory course designed to give students a hands-on artistic experience using clay. You will learn a variety of techniques including hand building and wheel throwing. You will also gain experience with various decorating and glazing techniques.

One Day Seminars:

Using Your Electric Kiln with Po-Wen Liu
June 28, 2014 Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Are you wondering about how to get the most out of your electric kiln firings? This is a perfect seminar for anyone new to firing their own work in an electric kiln. This one day seminar will discuss how to program, load and fire electric kilns for bisque and glaze. We will also cover general maintenance and simple kiln repairs. Lunch will be provided.

Basic Glaze Mixing with Po-Wen Liu
July 12, 2014 Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
This is a must attend seminar for anyone firing their own work. At some point your glaze didn't turn out and you weren't sure why. Topics to be covered include ingredients and materials classification, use of scales, recipes, materials storage, safety, sieves, temperatures and atmospheres and basic glaze testing. No prior knowledge or experience is required. The workshop will take you from knowing nothing to being comfortable mixing glazes. Lunch will be provided.



For more information or to register, visit cvcc.edu/Potters_Workshop
To Register by Telephone, Contact Cheri Toney at 828-327-7037


Sincerely,

Evelyn Arnold

Workshop Coordinator

CVCC Potters' Workshop

5845 Walnut Grove Lane, Hickory NC 28602

828-327-7000 ext: 4032

web: Potters' Workshop or email: earnold@cvcc.edu