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ADULT CLASSES
(and high school aged students) 

Adult (and high school aged students)  

Pottery Wheel Workshops

 

2023 SUMMER (5 classes) | $120*

Tuesdays, 6-8pm 

August 15, 22, 29, Sept 5 (skip 1 week to bisque fire work) Sept 19 (glaze work)

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Instructor: Steph O'Shaughnessy, ARC Pottery Instructor

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*This workshop is also open to high school aged students. $40 will be paid for by the Bill Farrell Memorial Scholarship Fund! Contact Liz Larson to register a high school student so that you can receive the discounted rate: artdirector@galenaarc.org.

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Learn basic skills on the potter’s wheel for beginners or those with some experience who would like to refresh their techniques. A fun foundation course in making bowls, cups and vases on the electric potter’s wheel. Learn preparing clay, centering, throwing, trimming, techniques for altering and decorating and glazing. Fee includes clay, glazes and 2 instructor firings. Expect to have 4-6 finished pieces.

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Youth and Family Options

SUMMER POTTERY 

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Ages (Grades 5-12)

Wild Clay Adventure

This workshop was developed for youth...HOWEVER, if you are an interested adult contact Liz at artdirector@galenaarc.org. If there are open spots we will fill them with adult students.

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8 classes*** | $130

Instructors: 

Stephanie O'Shaughnessy, Liz Larson, Dave Decker and special guest artist Frank Polizzi (The Mulberry Pottery, Mineral Point WI)

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The Galena ARC is extremely excited for this fun and educational summer workshop. We will dig up “Wild” clay from the Mount Hope Vineyard/Farm just outside Apple River, Illinois. In the past, such clays have been referred to as local or native clays. The clay may be the same clay used by indigenous people and settlers of this area. Then over the course of 3 months students will dry and process their clay and make pottery on a pottery wheel as well as use hand building techniques. Students will help build a pit fire kiln on the ARC campus, then fire their pots and finish the workshop by waxing and polishing their pots. To conclude this unique educational experience we will have a month-long art show, in October, at the Galena Center for the Arts.

 

***Each day is very important to the students' Wild Clay experience however, with family vacation schedules we realize that it will be hard to make all 8 classes. We do require that students miss no more than two classes and MUST be in attendance on day 1, 5 (or 6) and 8. Please note rain dates when applicable. 

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1. Dig Wild Clay:
Tues, June 6; 8am-5pm (rain date June 8)

We will meet at ARC and take a Jo Daviess Transportation bus to the dig site. Each student will harvest 1 bucket of local clay. Lunch plans: TBA. We will also visit the Winston Quarry where we can see the rock strata of Jo Daviess County. We will then take the bus to the Decker barn where students will spread out their clay to dry and break up chunks. We will then head back to the Galena ARC. Please note rain date.

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2. Build Pit Kiln:
Thurs, June 22; 8am-5pm

We will build a pit fire kiln on the Galena ARC campus. Please bring a sack lunch.

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3. Screen Wild Clay:
Thurs, July 6; 1-5pm

Students will screen their clay of foreign objects and mix their clay into slip. Clay will settle in their buckets until next class.

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4. Make Pottery with ARC Clay:
Thurs, July 20; 1-5pm

Students will pour water off their buckets of clay and pour onto a special screen to dry. Then students will learn how to throw on a pottery wheel and also learn some hand building techniques with Galena ARC clay. 

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5. Make Pottery with with Wild Clay:
Thurs, Aug 3; 1-5pm

Students' Wild Clay will be ready to create with on the pottery wheel and with hand building techniques!

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6. Make Pottery with with Wild Clay:
Thurs, Aug 10; 1-5pm

Day two of creating with your Wild Clay.

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7. Load and Fire Pottery in Pit Kiln:

Thurs, Aug 24; 1-5pm (rain date Aug 31)

Students will load their pottery into the kiln and begin the firing process. Firing might not be complete by 5pm. Students and their families are welcome to stay after 5pm to watch until the firing is complete. Please note rain date.

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8. Unload Pit Kiln, Polish/Wax Pottery:

Fri, Aug 25; 1-5pm (rain date Sept 1)

The most exciting day, unloading of the kiln, waxing and polishing your pottery! Please note rain date. 

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This workshop is sponsored by The Galena Elks.

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Family Pottery (Ages 8-Adult)

Bird House + Bird

(2 classes) | $70

JULY 11 + 25 WORKSHOP:  

1. TUESDAY, July 11 (create ) = 1-5 pm 

    skip 1 week to bisque fire work

2. TUESDAY, July 25 (glaze) = 1-5 pm

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Instructors: Steph O'Shaughnessy, ARC Pottery Instructor and Liz Larson, ARC Art Program Director

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This class is for ages 8 to adult! Use slab building techniques to create your own 3 dimensional bird house and clay bird then glaze with multiple fun colors for truly unique pieces. Fee includes clay, glazes and two instructor firings.

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OPEN STUDIO HOURS

Explore your creativity, working independently, in a welcoming studio with other artists!

Open Studio hours are offered to adults who have taken a pottery workshop at the Galena ARC or are proficient at using a pottery wheel. NOTE: No instruction occurs during open-studio time.

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HOURS:

Contact Liz Larson to schedule dates and times: artdirector@galenaarc.org

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Studio Rental Fee:

$12 for 2 hours, $18 for 3 hours

Includes use of this equipment:

• Brent Pottery Wheels

• Hand Tools

• Banding Wheels

• Slab Roller

• Storage space for your clay and pottery

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ARC Materials Fee:  $30

To be paid by cash or check in the Pottery Studio during Open Studio.

Includes:​

• 25 pound bag of clay (DSM 1/2 grog stoneware)

• Bisque Firing

• Wax

• Glazes

• Cone 6 Firing (Firings to be done by Galena ARC)

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Studio Guidelines: 
Can be downloaded and reviewed HERE.

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Studio Registration Form:
Can be downloaded and reviewed HERE.

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