C-41 Botanical Garden Plates 

with Sarah Hurley

   Friday, 1 session

Apr. 25;

6:30-9pm

Fee: $40  for non members

Join MCAC instructor, Sarah Hurley, for this workshop

where you'll learn how to create three stackable slab plates and press flowers and leaves into the clay to imprint your own design. 

This workshop is for all levels, no prior clay experience is needed.  Participants will leave with a handmade object.

All supplies provided.

  

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

C-32 Ceramic Studio Procedures: May

with Marjorie Hauge

   Sunday, 1 session

May 4;

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 (when possible)

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-2 Monday Evening Ceramics Open Studio 

with Marjorie Hauge

   Mondays, 3 sessions

   May 5, 12, 19;

6:30-9pm

Fee: $97.50 for non members

This is for advanced ceramic students only (18 and older).  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.

Erin and Claire will lead 5 week classes with the same assignments taught in each class. The fun twist is, each week a new challenge is revealed to create. A number of fun skill-building exercises inspired by the Great Pottery Throw Down series will occur during each session. After all the challenges are glaze fired, a date* will be set where all students from both can share the work they made and celebrate. Anyone who understands the fundamentals of working with clay is welcome. Many of the challenges can be solved by throwing or hand building. Bring your creativity, skills, and a fun attitude to this summer class.

*Both Classes will have a joint Pot Luck Event the third week of June! (date subject to change)

Enrollment in this class provides access to MCAC's kilns and our full range of ceramic glazes, plus tools and 20lbs of clay, a shelf, and access to open studio hours for those who have completed the Studio Procedures Workshop already.

C-4 Spring Projects with Kirsten Heteji

Wednesdays, 4 sessions

   May 7, 17, 21, 28;

3:30-6 pm

Open to all experience levels.18+ and older can join

Hop into spring by making some unique projects! We will be hand building berry bowls, watering bells and planters for our outdoor loving needs. These simple projects are great introduction for beginners who want to experiment in ceramics. 18+ and older can join 3 finished works- Berry Bowl, Watering Bell, and a Planter

Included in the fee: A shelf, kiln firing, 10 lbs. of clay, tools, and glazes. Does not include access to open studio hours.

Guest registration allowed for this option.

Erin and Claire will lead 5 week classes with the same assignments taught in each class. The fun twist is, each week a new challenge is revealed to create. A number of fun skill-building exercises inspired by the Great Pottery Throw Down series will occur during each session. After all the challenges are glaze fired, a date* will be set where all students from both can share the work they made and celebrate. Anyone who understands the fundamentals of working with clay is welcome. Many of the challenges can be solved by throwing or hand building. Bring your creativity, skills, and a fun attitude to this summer class.

*Both Classes will have a joint Pot Luck Event the third week of June! (date subject to change)

Enrollment in this class provides access to MCAC's kilns and our full range of ceramic glazes, plus tools and 20lbs of clay, a shelf, and access to open studio hours for those who have completed the Studio Procedures Workshop already.

PH-1 Mastering Manual Mode

Thursdays, 4 Sessions

May 8, 15, 22, 29;

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. 

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

C-6 Garden Sculptures with Alanna Veitch

Thursdays, 4 sessions

May 8, 15, 22, 29;

6:30- 9pm

Fee: $130 for non members

Explore the functionality of clay through sculpture. In this class, Have you ever thought of making a garden stack? Or a set of sculptures? We will be making the sculptures using pinch, slab, and coil techniques. Alanna will guide you through adding details to the surfaces of your work. Please bring inspirational photos with you. 18+ years or older can join.

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

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-7 Mushroom Jars Workshop 

with Kirsten Heteji

   Fridays, 2 sessions

May 9, 23; (skips May 16)

6:30-9pm

Fee: $65  for non members

Join MCAC instructor, Kirsten Heteji, for this workshop where you will create wind chimes for your back yard out of ceramic clay.

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

Students will leave with a wind chime 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.

FREE to participate & watch!

REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 28th!

first 12 to sign up are in!

RULES: 

VIEWERS VOTE!

(votes are numbered and must be used one per unique contestant. Duplicate votes per contestant will be counted as one total vote. (eg. if that number appears multiple times within the same artists bowl all multiples will be ignored and one vote will be allotted to that artist. Please vote for a different artist with each vote!)

Donations go towards prizes, and funding future art challenges.  

Your generosity is appreciated!

Participation is FREE!

C-8 Intro to Throwing B

with Sarah Hurley

   Sundays, 4 sessions

   May 11, 18, 25, June 1;

3:30-6 pm

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-9 Sgraffito Trays with Alanna Veitch

   Friday, 1 session

May 16;

5:30-8pm

Fee: $40  for non members

Join MCAC instructor, Alanna Veitch, for this workshop where you will get to design and create your own Pinch pots.

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

Students will leave with a handmade pots.

All supplies provided.

  

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

P-1 Tuesday Evening Painting 

with Jeremy Langston

   Tuesdays, 6 sessions

 May 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 1;

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. 

P-2 Wednesday Evening Painting 

with Amy Yeager

   Wednesdays, 6 sessions

 May 28, June 4,18, 25, July 2, 9; (skips the 11th)

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 Bird Feeders Workshop 

with Kirsten Heteji

   Fridays, 2 sessions

May 30, June 13; (skips June 6)

6:30-9pm

Fee: $65  for non members

Join MCAC instructor, Kirsten Heteji, for this workshop where you will create wind chimes for your back yard out of ceramic clay.

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

Students will leave with a wind chime 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.

M-1 Taste of Liquid Enamels

Liquid enamels are colored glass powders ground finely enough to suspend in a medium, allowing them to be used in ways similar to paints. As with sifted enamels, they are fired onto metal in a kiln to produce vibrant, color-fast, durable art or jewelry pieces. Students will be introduced to liquid-form enamels and learn dipping, brushwork, sgraffito, stoning and firing techniques on small steel tiles. Suitable for those with no prior experience in enamels.

Finished jewelry pieces or small tiles will result.

All tools and materials will be provided.

C-33 Ceramic Studio Procedures: June

with Marjorie Hauge

   Sunday, 1 session

June 1;

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 (when possible)

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-12 Monday Evening Ceramics Open Studio 

with Marjorie Hauge

   Mondays, 4 sessions

  June 2, 9, 16, 23;

6:30-9pm

Fee: $130 for non members

This is for advanced ceramic students only (18 and older).  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-13 Date Night Throw Down 

with Sarah Hurley

   Friday, 1 session

June 6;

6:30-9pm

Fee: $40 per person for non members (both members of a couple must register seperately or use guest option. Please provide name if guest option is used) 

Join Sarah for an engaging workshop where creativity and community come together! Whether you’re new to working with clay or simply looking for a relaxed, social atmosphere, this class offers the perfect opportunity to learn, connect, and have fun. Through hands-on instruction you’ll explore the art of ceramics in a friendly, supportive space that encourages collaboration and conversation. BYOB! (open to participants who are 21 and older only)

Grab your significant other and head down to the studio for a night of fun! Whether you're seasoned artists or complete beginners, this laid-back workshop will have you both making pottery while bonding over something new and exciting. Learn to throw on the wheel and make something together or have a little friendly competition. It’s the perfect way to get creative, laugh, and create lasting memories together!

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

Participants will go home with 2-3 wheel thrown pieces.

All supplies provided.

  

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

Liquid form enamels are colored glass powders ground finely enough to suspend in a medium, allowing them to be used in ways similar to paints. As with sifted enamels, they are fired onto metal in a kiln to produce vibrant, color-fast, durable art or jewelry pieces. In this class for beginners, we will explore the basics of liquid form enamels and learn dipping, brushwork, sgraffito, stoning, printing, marbling and firing techniques on steel and copper.

All tools and materials provided.

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

C-14 Mixed Media in Ceramics 

with Kirsten Heteji

   Tuesdays, 4 sessions

   June 10, 17, 24, July 1;

6:30-9 pm

Open to all experience levels.18+ and older can join

We will explore possibilities beyond ceramics and help you execute your artistic vision. It’s up to you to bring the media to combine with ceramics- anywhere from watercolors, yarn, wire, etc. and look over your ideas together. We will spend the class making the ceramic forms, and then figuring out how to integrate with your own media.

We are NOT combining media in the firing process.

Included in the fee: A shelf, kiln firing, 10 lbs. of clay, tools, and glazes. Does not include access to open studio hours.

Guest registration allowed for this option.