This is a great class for beginners to intermediate throwers or anyone just getting started with clay and wants to focus on the pottery wheel. In this class I will introduce techniques for throwing cylinders, cups, and bowls. We will be focusing on the fundamentals of centering, opening the form, and lifting a wall. This class is for beginners but is great if you want to advance your skills and your repertoire even if you have thrown on the wheel before. We'll cover wedging clay, throwing, shaping and trimming on the wheel, surface decoration and glaze application.

Class size is limited to eight to allow for individual instruction time. 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.

Includes access to open studio hours.

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.  

Are you curious about clay? Are you looking for a creative outlet? Come and explore the world of clay. This 6-session class will introduce you to the MCAC ceramic studio and the basics of hand building. You will explore the world of pinch pots, coil construction and the intricacies of slab building.  You will be supplied with all the materials needed to complete your projects. Learn basic techniques that will unleash your creative potential.  Come and see what the world of pottery is all about.  

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

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

Guest registration allowed for this option.

Join instructor Alanna Veitch for this six-week ceramics course and learn new techniques to take your sculpting to the next level. This is a sculpting class for intermediate to advanced students. 

Enrollment in this class provides access to MCAC's kilns and our full range of ceramic glazes. Enrolled students may also work on their own during open studio hours, at no additional charge. 

Class size is limited to nine to allow for individual instruction time. Early registration is encouraged; seats typically sell out in advance. Experienced potters are welcome to join this class to experiment and learn new techniques. Student work is fired on-site by our ceramics studio assistant, allowing everyone to take home finished pieces. 

Join instructor Claire Hedden for this advanced six-week ceramics course.  In this course you will be introduced to multiple techniques on the pottery wheel. 

The MCAC will have an open studio option during the Fall for our advanced ceramic students. This session on Friday nights is open to ceramic students 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 time will be proctored by our Ceramic Instructor Kirsten Heteji. This is not an instructed time but you will have access to supplies, resources and the advanced experience of Kirsten & of the community of ceramicists at the MCAC.

The fee includes access to firing, glazes, 10 lbs of clay, a shelf at the MCAC and access to open studio during our open hours.

No guest registration allowed for this option

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. 

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. 

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

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.

During this 3-session workshop you will have the opportunity to learn how to throw a closed form and turn it into a pumpkin.  You must be able to center your clay and throw a bowl to sign-up for this workshop. The skill that will be the focus is how to close a form. 

All materials will be provided.

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

Join Dale Evans, MCAC Painting and Watercolor Instructor, Wednesday afternoons in taking traditional watercolor in different directions. Combining techniques using mixed media, larger formats, and multiple images to create something beautiful. This class is open to intermediate to advanced water colorists, previous experience is recommended.

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

The MCAC will have an open studio option during the Fall for our advanced ceramic students. This session on Friday nights is open to ceramic students 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 time will be proctored by our Ceramic Instructor Kirsten Heteji. This is not an instructed time but you will have access to supplies, resources and the advanced experience of Kirsten & of the community of ceramicists at the MCAC.

The fee includes a shelf, kiln firing, clay body, and glazes also includes access to open studio hours.

Cozy up and stay warm through the fall with your own crafted pumpkin mug!

Join our instructor Sarah as she guides you through the process of throwing, altering, and decorating a perfect pumpkin mug. Perfect for soups, ciders, and all the fall treats!

Does not include a shelf at the MCAC or access to open studio hours.

Guest registration allowed for this option.

Let's get spooky and make some ghoulish monster mugs in the spirit of Halloween. We will spend our first session building and creating the mugs. The second session will be adding color and glazing them. They will be ready for pickup the following week.

*All materials including clay, glazes, tools and kiln firings included in fee.

Does not include a shelf at MCAC or access to open studio hours.

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

Interested in Pastels? Wondering where to start and how they work? Then join instructor Mandy Roeing for this Sunday afternoon workshop at the MCAC. Mandy will teach you all the techniques to start your pastel journey and each student will create and leave with a small piece of art. This is a great workshop for teens and adults. All materials provided by the MCAC.

*Please feel free to bring your own drinks and snacks to this workshop.     

*All materials are provided

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 and access to open studio hours. Guest registration allowed for this option.

In the spirit of Dia de los Muertos, we will be decorating skull piggy banks with repeating colors and patterns. Join MCAC Instructor Alanna Veitch for a Sunday Evening decorating a bisque skull bank. Sugar skull, mosaic skull, creepy skull its up to you!   This is open to all experience levels. Work will be fired at the MCAC and will be available for pick up a week after the second session.

*All materials including  glazes, tools and kiln firings included in fee.

does not include a shelf at MCAC or access to open studio hours.

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. 

fee includes access to firing, glazes, and 10lbs. of clay, a shelf and access to the studio during our open hours.

No guest registration allowed for this option.

Drawing syllabus.pdf

Click the link above to get your syllabus

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.

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