-C20-Friday Night Ceramics

Open Studio 

with Alanna Veitch

   Fridays, 4 sessions

Apr. 5, 12, 19, 26;

6:30-9 pm

Fee: $130 for non members

This is for advanced ceramic students only. This session on Monday nights is open to ceramic students with at least a year of classes at the McLean County Art Center AND at least one advanced class with one of our instructors. This time will be proctored by our Ceramic Assistant, Alanna Veitch. This is not an instructed time but gives you access to supplies, resources, and the wonderful, advanced community of ceramicists at the MCAC. 

Student work is fired on-site by our ceramics studio assistant, allowing everyone to take home finished pieces. 

Enrollment in this class provides access to MCAC's kilns and our full range of ceramic glazes, plus tools and 10lbs of clay, a shelf, and access to open studio hours.

-C21-Intro to Throwing 4

with Sarah Hurley

   Saturdays, 4 sessions

   Apr. 6, 13, 20, 27;

9-11:30 am

Fee: $130 for non members

 

Learn how to wedge, center, throw, and glaze your next functional piece of art!  Join Sarah on Saturday mornings as she guides you through the basics of throwing on the wheel. This class is perfect for anyone looking to get their hands on clay for the first time or brush up on their skills.

The fee includes access to firing, glazes, clock mechanism, & 10 lbs of clay, Includes a shelf at the MCAC.

Does not include access to open studio hours.

Guest registration allowed for this option.

-C24-Bird Feeders with Kirsten Heteji

   Sundays, 2 sessions

 Apr. 14th & 28th;

9- 11:30 am

Fee $65 for non members

 

Let’s celebrate spring by making in ceramics! We will make a bird feeder for the springtime birds. This project is great introduction for beginners who want to experiment in ceramics, open to any experience level.

Open to any experience level- hand builders or wheel throwers

Enrollment comes with access to kiln firing and glazes.

Does not include Open Studio access or a shelf.

Join instructor Claire Hedden for this three-week ceramics course. You will be guided in techniques for hand-building a unique vase. 

Class size is limited to nine to allow for individual instruction time. Ideal for intermediate to advanced students.  Student work is fired on-site by our ceramics studio assistant, allowing everyone to take home finished pieces. 

Enrollment in this class provides access to MCAC's kilns and our full range of ceramic glazes, plus tools and 10lbs of clay, a shelf, and access to open studio hours.

C-2 Intro to Throwing B

with Sarah Hurley

   Saturdays, 4 sessions

   May 4, 11, 18, 25;

9-11:30 am

Fee: $130 for non members

 

If you can center the clay on the wheel and pull up the sides, but need more beginner level instruction, this class is for you. Learn to throw various shapes and play with assorted surface techniques as you improve your throwing skills. At the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to take the procedural test where you can go on to any of our advanced classes.

The fee includes access to firing, glazes, & 10 lbs of clay, Includes a shelf at the MCAC.

Does not include access to open studio hours.

Guest registration allowed for this option.

C-22 Ceramic Studio Procedures

with Marjorie Hauge

   Sundays, 1 session

    May 4;

12-2pm

Fee: FREE!  

Familiar with clay but haven’t taken any classes at MCAC?

You are an experienced ceramicist but not knowledgeable about this studio?

Maybe you need a refresher on our updated space.

Join us for a 2-hour introduction to the ceramic studio at MCAC. At the end of the session, after you pass a short quiz, you will be eligible to take any of our advanced courses except Open Studio. That requires 1 advanced class.

Repeats on the first Sunday of each month

The MCAC will have an open studio option for Advanced Ceramic MEMBERS with at least a year of classes at the McLean Co. Arts Center and at least one advanced class with one of our instructors. This is not an instructed time but you will have access to supplies and resources at the MCAC.

What does it mean to establish yourself as an artist?  How do you write an artist statement, promote your artwork, establish pricing, market  to the public, create a website/social media presence, have exhibitions, create a legal business entity, apply for festivals and juried exhibitions, pay taxes, deduct expenses, develop a career, and keep from getting ripped off?  In this three hour workshop you’ll get the strategies you need to position yourself in the marketplace, develop your business plan, and begin the process of finally getting serious about your life as an artist.  

Presented by Doug Johnson (MCAC Executive Director and working artist), Doug Johnson has been a practicing artist for more than 35 years, he has exhibited in Chicago with the Peter Miller Gallery, the Addington Galleries, and the Chicago International Art Exhibition.  His artwork has appeared in the Chicago Tribune Sunday Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, and is in many public, corporate, and private collections.

Lecture will be held in the Brandt Gallery, MCAC

C-3 Flower Workshop

with Marjorie Hauge

   Sundays, 2 sessions

    May 5, 19;

2:30-5:30pm

Fee: $65 for non members

Are you curious about clay? Are you a fan of flowers that can last forever? Come join Marjorie for a flower making workshop! 

You will be supplied with all the materials needed to complete your project. Learn basic techniques that will unleash your creative potential.  

Access to open studio hours does not come with this class.

Guest registration allowed for this option.

C-4 Monday Evening Ceramics Open Studio 

with Marjorie Hauge

   Mondays, 5 sessions

    May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3;

6:30-9pm

Fee: $162.50 for non members

This is for advanced ceramic students only. This session on Monday nights is open to ceramic students with at least a year of classes at the McLean County Art Center AND at least one advanced class with one of our instructors. This time will be proctored by our Ceramic Assistant, Marjorie Hauge. This is not an instructed time but gives you access to supplies, resources, and the wonderful, advanced community of ceramicists at the MCAC. 

Enrollment in this class provides access to MCAC's kilns and our full range of ceramic glazes, plus tools and 10lbs of clay, a shelf, and access to open studio hours.

No guest registration allowed for this option.

In this four-week workshop participants will create a magical little house out of soft slabs with MCAC Instructor Erin Furimsky. These will be inspired by mushrooms, flowers, bark textures, moss, fairies, and gnomes.

This is version 2.0 of this class. Simply because we had so much success and fun last year. I will have a new variation of the base form we made last year so repeat students are welcome.  This class welcomes all levels of makers. If you are new to clay, step-by-step instructions will be shared and if you have some experience, you will have lots of room to challenge yourselves with the craftsmanship and creative details. Homes for tiny woodland creatures

During the first week, we will construct a cylindrical 4x6 inch structure and roof out of soft slabs. These will dry a bit and be ready the following week for you to add all the fantastic details you can imagine. The last week will be spent adding underglaze and glaze to the bisque fired pieces. The finished projects will be available for you to pick up within two weeks.  

Enrollment in this class provides access to MCAC's kilns and our full range of ceramic glazes, plus tools and 10lbs of clay, and a shelf. Does not include access to open studio

P-1 Tuesday Evening Painting 

with Jeremy Langston

   Tuesdays, 5 sessions

  May 7, 14, 21, 28, Jun. 4;

6:30-9pm

Fee:$125

Do you like the idea of being able to paint whatever subject matter you like but have a professional artist on hand to answer any questions that come up while you're painting?

Then this is the class you want! 

Join painters of all levels for an evening of self-paced painting.  You bring in photos that you'd like to paint or set up a still life in person and our instructor Jeremy Langston will guide you with techniques, skills & tips catered to what you're working on.

Your subject matter, your pace, no stress, just fun! 

Come improve your painting skills with us at the McLean Co. Arts Center.

*All materials are provided: paints, brushes, painting surfaces, palettes, palette knives, etc. 

P-2 Wednesday Evening Painting

with Amy Yeager

   Wednesdays, 5 sessions

   May 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5;

6:30-9 pm

Fee: $125 (non members)

Do you like the idea of being able to paint whatever subject matter you like but have a professional artist on hand to answer any questions that come up while you're painting or drawing?

Then this is the class you want! 

Join artists of all levels for an evening of self-paced painting and drawing.  You bring in photos that you'd like to paint or set up a still life in person and our instructor Amy Yeager will guide you with techniques, skills & tips catered to what you're working on.

Your subject matter, your pace, no stress, just fun!  Come improve your painting and drawing skills with us at the McLean Co. Arts Center.

*All materials are provided: paints, brushes, painting surfaces, palettes, knives, etc.

C-6 Intro to Throwing A

with Marjorie Hauge

   Wednesdays, 4 sessions

  May 8, 15, 22, 29;

6:30-9 pm

Fee: $130 for non members

Join us to explore the wonderful world of wheel thrown ceramics. This is a class for beginners to experience our MCAC community, the facility, and the wonder of creating a piece on the wheel. Learn the basics of creating a piece from beginning to end in the 4-week introductory course. No experience is necessary. 

The fee includes access to firing, glazes, & 10 lbs of clay, Includes a shelf at the MCAC.

Does not include access to open studio hours.

Guest registration allowed for this option.

P-3

Watercolor Intensive with Jenni Bateman  

Sundays, 3 Sessions

May 12, 19, 26 

Intensive designed for those interested in trying their hand at watercolor for the first time or a painter who wants to gain additional skills with watercolor. Experience how to mix paint on paper, how to load your brushes, how to translate what you see onto paper, how to build values…and so much more!

P-4

Watercolor Workshop with Jenni Bateman  

Saturday, 1 Session

May 18

Workshop designed for those interested in trying their hand at watercolor for the first time or a painter who wants to gain additional skills with watercolor. Experience how to mix paint on paper, how to load your brushes, how to translate what you see onto paper, how to build values…and so much more!

PH-1 Creativity in Photography

Thursdays, 5 Sessions

May 30, June 6, 13, 20, 27

The Beginnings of Creativity In Photography 

Learn to be creative with your camera by mastering the manual mode. This is a beginning course starting at ground zero.  So dust off that DSLR or Mirrorless camera that you bought with the best intentions and become the photographer you always wanted to be. The class will be lecture format, with in-class exercises and optional homework.  The last class will be a local field trip. 

By the end of the course you should have a basic understanding of the following:

Fundamentals of light

Controlling the exposure 

Shutter Speed 

Aperture and Depth of Field

Focusing techniques 

Camera Lens and Focal Length

Making sense of ISO, megapixels and sensors

Basic Composition 

You will need to bring a DSLR or Mirrorless camera with interchangeable lens systems to each class. You’ll only need 1 lens: preferably a shorter zoom. Please bring your camera’s manual. A digital copy on your phone or tablet will work just fine. And last, but not least, bring something for taking notes.

This course is not for cell phone cameras nor point & shoot cameras. If you are not sure your camera is appropriate, please contact instructor before registering.

Cameras are not provided. *Please bring your camera with you to class

This two-session class will introduce students to the basics of using opaque enamels on copper.  Vitreous enamels are ground glass powders that are permanently fused onto metal in a kiln.  Compositions are built up in layers, each one fired separately.  Enameling is an exciting medium, colorful, durable and rich in design opportunities!  It’s great for 2-D or ceramic artists who want to expand their media horizons, or for anyone who wants to make cool, original jewelry.  We will be learning sifting, stenciling, sgraffito, stoning and kiln-firing techniques and using them to create pieces such as earrings, pendants, charms or a hanging ornament. 

All tools and materials provided.

C-23 Ceramic Studio Procedures

with Marjorie Hauge

   Sundays, 1 session

    June 2;

12-2pm

Fee: FREE!  

Familiar with clay but haven’t taken any classes at MCAC?

You are an experienced ceramicist but not knowledgeable about this studio?

Maybe you need a refresher on our updated space.

Join us for a 2-hour introduction to the ceramic studio at MCAC. At the end of the session, after you pass a short quiz, you will be eligible to take any of our advanced courses except Open Studio. That requires 1 advanced class.

Repeats on the first Sunday of each month

The MCAC will have an open studio option for Advanced Ceramic MEMBERS with at least a year of classes at the McLean Co. Arts Center and at least one advanced class with one of our instructors. This is not an instructed time but you will have access to supplies and resources at the MCAC.

P-5 Project Alcohol Ink on Yupo

with Jenni Bateman  

Monday, 1 Session

June 3rd

3 HOUR workshop designed for those interested in trying their hand at this unique medium with lots of class time devoted to play: mixing inks on YUPO paper, experiment with various ‘stuff’ to create shapes, build on a concept, and complete several paintings. This is such a fun process! TRYitOUT!

C-7 Slab Clock Workshop

with Marjorie Hauge

Fridays, 2 sessions

June 7th, 21st;

1-4pm

Fee: $65 for non members

Join MCAC instructor, Marjorie Hauge, for this 2-session workshop where you will design and create your own slab based ceramic clock. This workshop is for all levels, no prior clay experience is needed. Students will leave with a ticking clock ready to be hung inside or out. All materials required will be supplied.  

Does not include a shelf at the MCAC or access to open studio hours. Guest registration allowed for this option.

C-8 Intro to Throwing A

with Sarah Hurley

   Saturdays, 4 sessions

   June 8, 15, 22, 29;

9-11:30 am

Fee: $130 for non members

 

Join us to explore the wonderful world of wheel thrown ceramics. This is a class for beginners to experience our MCAC community, the facility, and the wonder of creating a piece on the wheel. Learn the basics of creating a piece from beginning to end in the 4-week introductory course. No experience is necessary. No Open Studio

The fee includes access to firing, glazes, & 10 lbs of clay, Includes a shelf at the MCAC.

Does not include access to open studio hours.

Guest registration allowed for this option.

 P3- Awash in Gouache

Saturday & Sunday 2 Sessions

June 8th ,9th

Casein is one of the oldest kinds of paint. Today it is also known as "Milk Paint" and was used extensively by artists before the innovation of acrylic paints. Gouache us an opaque watercolor paint, also called tempera or poster paint. True tempera is made with eggs. Join Dale Evans, MCAC Painting and Watercolor Instructor, for a Saturday afternoon as we explore these forgotten mediums, and create something beautiful.

This workshop is open to all, beginner to advanced can learn techniques, skills and ways to incorporate these mediums into today's paintings.

*All materials are supplied for this class. Please fell free to bring your own drinks and snacks to this workshop.