Friday Night Fun

Create a one-of-a kind fused glass art plate in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. Learn the basics of glass fusion from cutting to layout to design, while exploring a variety of colored glass, stringers, and frit to embellish the creation. No experience necessary. Materials and firing schedules included.  Please wear closed-toed shoes, comfortable clothes, and an apron, if you have one.

In this Select Friday, students will experience the entire process of creating, glazing, and raku firing. The Select Friday begins with students glazing and loading the kiln their with their complimentary vase, in preparation for the raku firing. Once the kiln is lit and heating, the wheel portion of the Select Friday begins. Students will learn to use the wheel to successfully create ceramic forms. They will be able to keep their best three creations of the night. After the wheel throwing, the red-hot kiln will be opened, and the glowing pots placed into combustion chambers, where the fire will create beautiful copper glaze results. Fired and glazed souvenir pots will also be available for $20 at the end of class.

Learn how to make a colorful pendant and pair of earrings using fused glass on metal. Patterns will be developed through sifting and stenciling techniques, as well as sgraffito methods. In this workshop, students will build enameled surfaces on nonferrous metal to make beautiful jewelry pieces.

In this one-evening event, each student will glaze their own pot and have the opportunity to pull or witness their red hot pots being taken from the raku kiln. Pots are then placed into the reduction chamber (also known as a trash can with combustible materials), they will be able to watch the flames paint the surface of their newly fired pot. Students are encouraged to bring their own small, bisqued pieces (using a raku clay body and no bigger than 6 x 4 in.),  and/or purchase a pre-bisqued piece for $20 at the event.

​This Select Friday will cover all aspects of saggar firing as an alternative firing process. The time will be spent preparing bisqued (once fired) work for the foil saggar process. All materials will be provided, and students can opt to either purchase bisque ware for $15-$20, or bring their own (but please keep sizes under 8 in.). Barbara Powell will share what she has learned over the years and will demonstrate her refined techniques, including: designing wheel thrown pieces that work well in saggar, trimming and preparing green ware, burnishing, and the application of Terra Sigillata. Since the firing process is completed in about an hour, students’ work will be ready to take home that day and there will be lots of experimentation to add to the excitement. This workshop will offer enough time and material to explore the seemingly endless possibilities that saggar offers.

In this 2-hour Select Friday, students will gain the basic fundamentals of wheel work and a general understanding of the ceramic process, which includes firing & glazing. Each student will walk away having completed their very own wheel thrown creation. All supplies included – no experience necessary.