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.

C-3 Ceramics Open Studio 

with Alanna Veitch

   Saturdays, 4 sessions

Jan. 11, 18, 25, Feb. 1;

4-7 pm

Fee: $130 for non members

This is for advanced ceramic students only.  All students must pass procedural class before enrolling.

 This time will be proctored by Alanna. 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.

C-1 Ceramic Studio Procedures: January

with Marjorie Hauge

   Sunday, 1 session

Jan. 12;

12-2pm

Fee: FREE!  

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

You have completed our beginning pottery series.

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*

P-1 Open Studio Watercolor Intensive

with Jenni Bateman  

Sundays, 4 Sessions

Jan. 12, 19, 26 Feb. 2;

For Students that have taken the basic/Intro to Watercolors class.

OPEN STUDIO WATERCOLOR with Jenni Bateman Paint your own subject matter with a professional artist on hand to answer questions or help solve problems that come up while you paint. Self-paced yet in a community of watercolor painters! Bring watercolor supplies that you are experimenting with, otherwise all materials are provided.

Students can expect to leave with additional guidance to help you move forward in your paintings

Questions? jennidesigns@gmail.com

You will learn different techniques for throwing functional teapots. Erin will explain design considerations for teapots and techniques to make them as well as various ways to make and attach teapot spouts that do not drip or splatter during pouring. Erin will share a few ways to make handles that fit the design of the form and compliment all the elements of the teapot. You will learn how to make a lid that will not fall off from the teapot during pouring.

This 3 week class will focus on throwing the teapot body and putting all the parts together.

After 3 classes you should leave with 2 completed forms. No specific class time is set aside for glazing.

Image: Alleghaney Medows

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.

Join instructor Claire Hedden for this ceramics course. You will be guided in techniques for throwing at the wheel.

 Build your skills on the pottery wheel by learning how to throw larger vessels, lidded and enclosed forms, different types of handles and spouts, and altering your thrown pots off the wheel.

Students will be able to create larger cylinders and bowls, lidded vessels, and handled mugs and pitchers.

All students must pass the Procedural class. See the requirements at the top of the registration page for the Procedural class.

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.

This two-session class will introduce students to the basics of using opaque enamels on copper. 

Vitreous enamels are ground glass powders that are applied to metal and fused permanently in a kiln. Designs 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, and for anyone who wants to learn about this ancient method of combining glass with metal.

Students will work with opaque enamels to create jewelry or small 2-D tiles and will be introduced to techniques such as sifting, stenciling, sgraffito, glass embellishments and kiln-firing.

Suitable for those with no prior enameling experience.

All tools and materials provided.

PH-1 Using Lightroom 

with Dave Fulghum

Saturday, 1 session

Jan. 18th

An introduction to digital photo post processing in Adobe Lightroom.

Minimal Needs: Something to take notes with.  You may bring one SD card with 4-6 image files in JPG or RAW format to edit in class

C-6 Monday Evening Ceramics Open Studio 

with Marjorie Hauge

   Mondays, 6 sessions

   Jan. 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24;

6:30-9pm

Fee: $195 for non members

This is for advanced ceramic students only.  All students must pass procedural class before enrolling.

 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.

C-7 Intro to Throwing A

with Marjorie Hauge

   Wednesdays, 4 sessions

  Jan. 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12;

3:30-6 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.

C-8 Intro to Handbuilding

with Kirsten Heteji

   Wednesdays, 4 sessions

   Jan. 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12;

6:30-9 pm

Fee: $130 for non members

 

Are you curious about clay? Are you looking for a creative outlet? Come and explore the world of clay. This 4-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. See what the world of pottery is all about. 

Class size is limited to seven to allow for individual instruction time. Student work is fired on-site. by our ceramic studio assistant, allowing everyone to take home finished pieces. 

Included in the fee: A shelf, kiln firing, 10 lbs. of clay, tools, and glazes. 

Prerequisite: No experience necessary

Does not include access to open studio hours.

Guest registration allowed for this option.

C-9 Incense Houses with Kirsten Heteji

   Friday, 1 session

Jan. 24;

6:30-9pm

Fee: $40  for non members

Join MCAC instructor, Kirsten Heteji, for this workshop where you will get to design and create your own Incense burner shaped like a house.

This workshop is for all levels, no prior clay experience is needed. 

Students will leave with a handbuilt house to burn incense

Fee includes all materials needed to complete the project. 

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

This six-session course will provide beginning students with a basic foundation in the art of enameling. 

Vitreous enamels are ground glass powders that are applied to metal and fused permanently in a kiln.  Designs 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, and for anyone who wants to learn about this ancient method of combining glass with metal.  Students will work with both opaque and transparent enamels, learn sifting, stenciling, sgraffito, stoning and kiln-firing techniques, and how to embellish their creations with glass threads and beads.  Students can create pieces such as earrings, pendants, charms or two-dimensional tiles. 

All tools and materials provided. 

It is strongly recommended that students be able to attend the first two sessions without absences.

P-2 Tuesday Evening Painting 

with Jeremy Langston

   Tuesdays, 6 sessions

 Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4;

6:30-9pm

Fee:$150

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. 

If you've ever wanted to create your own jewelry designs or custom metal shapes for enameling, this is the place to start! Students will learn fundamental jewelry and metalworking skills (sawing, piercing, filing, sanding and patination) as they create elegant pieces based on the concept of silhouettes. Finished earrings or pendants will go home with each student, along with the knowledge of tools, materials and techniques necessary for them to continue making jewelry on their own.

It is strongly recommended that students be able to attend the first two sessions without absences.

All tools and supplies needed will be provided.

P-3 Thursday Evening Painting 

with Amy Yeager

   Thursdays, 6 sessions

 Jan. 30, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, Mar. 6;

6:30-9pm

Fee:$150

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 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 skills with us at the McLean Co. Arts Center.

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

C-10 Chia Pets/Sculpture Workshop 

with Marjorie Hauge

   Friday, 1 session

Jan. 31;

6:30-9pm

Fee: $40  for non members

Join MCAC instructor, Marjorie Hauge, for this workshop where you will get to design and create your own pinch pot chia pet or any sculpture. This workshop is for all levels, no prior clay experience is needed.  Students will leave with a sculpture of their choice and the seeds and information to sprout their creation at home.

  

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

What does it mean to have work ready to hang?  How do you photograph your work for the web?  How to create packaging for 2d and 3d artwork.  How to store your art so it doesn't get damaged.

In this two-hour workshop you’ll get the tips you need to work with galleries and art fairs in a professional and responsible way.  

We will discuss both 2-D and 3-D artwork

Presented by Amy Yeager and Jeremy Langston (MCAC's Curator and Eduction Director as well as practicing artists). 

Bring some artwork that is ready to hang or photograph and a pad and paper to take notes with.

There will be an opportunity to purchase frames or mat boards for your work.

Workshop will be held in the Brandt Gallery, MCAC

C-11 Ceramic Studio Procedures: February

with Marjorie Hauge

   Sunday, 1 session

Feb. 2;

12-2pm

Fee: FREE!  

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

You have completed our beginning pottery series.

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.

C-13 Butter Dishes Workshop 

with Kirsten Heteji

   Fridays, 2 sessions

Feb. 7, 21; (skips Feb. 14)

6:30-9pm

Fee: $65  for non members

Join MCAC instructor, Kirsten Heteji, for this workshop where you will create a butter dish.

This workshop is for all levels, no prior clay experience is needed. 

Students will leave with a butter dish or two.

All supplies provided.

  

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

EXCLUSIVE AND RARE OFFERING AT A BARGAIN PRICE!

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.

Class will be held in the Brandt Gallery, MCAC

 P-4 Awash in Gouache

Saturday, 1 Session

Feb. 8th 

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.