Large Scale Sculptural Handbuilding: Fall Session
- Overview
- Location
- Class Outline
- Policies
This class is for hand-builders ready to push scale and form. In this multi-week course, led by Jennifer Cheh, you'll be guided through advanced methods to design, build, and execute a larger-scale ceramic sculpture.
Whether you're experienced in ceramics or new to the medium, this class will deepen your understanding of hand-building techniques and the range of surface treatment possible to help you execute your artistic vision – balancing planning and precision with improvisation and fun along the way. The goal is a confident, large-scale, single object with a strong silhouette, finished with surface treatment that supports (rather than competes with) the form: a wonderful statement piece to take home.
Rather than working from a single technique, we'll treat pinch, coil, and slab as tools to combine as each individual piece demands. Because every student is working on their own project, your instructor will also guide you through creating the internal structure needed to support complex, ambitious forms at this scale, tailored to what your particular piece requires.
Each student develops one individual project across the five weeks: concept and initial build in weeks 1–2, refinement and surface treatment in weeks 3–4, a couple weeks slow dry, bisque fire, and glazing in week 5.
Prior handbuilding experience is recommended for this class. Bisque and glaze firing (to cone 5) are included in the course fee.
Class meets once a week for three hours, from 6-9pm on Thursdays starting October 1st. Two bags of clay and one bisque and one glaze firing (Cone 5) are included in the course fee. There will be 5 class meetings over several weeks, with a break the weeks of 10/29, 11/5 and 11/12, Students will have studio access throughout the duration of the course on Tuesdays and Thursdays during our open hours (10am-8pm) outside of class time.
We strongly advise you to make sure you’ll be able to attend all class sessions before signing up. While makeup classes are not offered for this course, additional studio time may be arranged.
Students will spend the duration of the course working on a singular complex sculpture, and the work must not exceed 30”x20”x20". Student work cannot exceed the weight of 50 lbs.
The class will focus on how to successfully build large scale sculptures and also explore surface treatments and glazing. You will learn how to work with the clay in its various drying stages to achieve your desired aesthetic and explore glazing and cold work (post-fire) techniques to enhance, alter or repair aspects of your sculpture.
Student work will not be glaze fired until after the course has completed. Students can expect their work to be slowly dried during the break weeks and bisque fired before the final class meeting on November 19th. The studio team will coordinate firing timelines with students towards the end of the course.
This class will meet for a total of 5 sessions over the course of 7 weeks.
Continuing class students should bring their own tools for this course, however communal tools are also available. We have a supply shop at the studio where you can purchase these things if you need them.
Our FAQ page contains more information.
By enrolling in a class or workshop, you are acknowledging that you have read and understand the safety instructions and liability waiver.
Cancellations made 4 or more days before the start of the class will be refunded. For cancellations made fewer than 4 full days, but more than 24 hours before the start time, a 50% refund or 50% credit toward another class or workshop will be issued. We cannot provide refunds or credits for cancellations or rescheduling requests made fewer than 24 hours before the start time of class, if you miss your class, or arrive too late to participate.
Our classes are for adults. If you have a child under 18 interested in taking a class, please contact us before enrolling.
