Starting next week, we’re switching the roles of our two ceramics studios: Why the change? Because this program isn’t what it was when we started. Under the leadership of Scott McClellan, and with the strength of our outstanding ceramics instructors, more students are sticking with it—coming back quarter after quarter, making bigger pots, more ambitious …
All of us leave a legacy. It’s the result of what we say, what we do, the art we make. We leave our fingerprints on this world, and there’s a bit of soul left in them. Today I’d like to share the work of one of our students, and delve a bit not just into …
Last quarter I saw a profound shift in artwork at the school. It happened in Jonathan Harkham‘s Still Life class. Jonathan Harkham is an artist and educator who is joining us from his studio in LA. On the first day of class I noticed there were some nice student paintings, then increasingly through the weeks …
Painterly Figures with Tone was a 4 week shortie art class, snuck into November/December. This post includes some of my favorite moments from that class. Please kindly overlook any flaws in the photography. A Sunday evening class, the images were taken on the fly, and in the dark. A word about working from photographs… Typically …
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- Teacher: Cade
- Course Length: 8 Sessions
- Date: Saturdays, beginning April 11
- Time: 2:00 – 5:00 pm
- Materials fee $45 – included in price
Beginning Wheel Throwing 2
Take your wheel-throwing skills to the next level in this exciting Level 2 class! Designed for those who’ve mastered the basics, this course focuses on creating taller, more refined forms and experimenting with new techniques. You’ll learn how to:
- Throw 6”+ cylinders, 12” bowls, and plates
- Create functional lids to top off your pieces
- Explore intricate slip designs, including inlay, brushwork, sgraffito, and slip trailing
This class serves as a perfect bridge between Beginning and Intermediate levels, helping you solidify foundational skills while preparing for more advanced techniques. With plenty of hands-on practice and personalized guidance, you’ll refine your skills and gain confidence on the wheel.
Prerequisite Class: Beginning Wheel at least once.
Prerequisite Skills: Centering, pulling cylinders, shaping, and trimming skills are required.
Come ready to get messy and have fun! Tools and materials included in the price.
Open Studio Hours: 7 days a week!
Pottery Classes at the Seattle Artist League
Join us for pottery classes in our studio in Seattle’s Georgetown Arts District. We offer classes for beginning ceramics in wheel throwing, hand-building, firing, and glazing. Our pottery classes are open to beginners and intermediate potters.
We have long offered classes in clay sculpting. Our commitment to the medium has expanded with the opening of our south Seattle Ceramics Studio. Join us for classes, workshops, and events in Seattle’s newest ceramics studio.
At the Seattle Artist League, we have a start where you are philosophy. You are welcome in our studio as a beginner or a seasoned pro. Join us.
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Light it Up: Ceramic Lamp Shortie
- Teacher: Joe
- Class Length: 4 sessions
- Date: Tuesdays, beginning April 14
- Time: 6:00 – 9:00 pm
- Materials fee $25 – included in price
Switch on your creativity and light up your space! You can build a fully functional ceramic lamp of your own design in this 4-session course.
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Start with the Basics: Use essential handbuilding techniques like pinching, coiling, and slab construction and darting to kickstart your project.
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Shape and Sculpt: Explore techniques to shape your lamp’s base to give it your unique flair. Will it be tall and slender, short and plump, or elegantly twisted? You decide.
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Detailing and Texture: Add the finishing touches using a variety of hand tools and stamps for personalized texture and detail.
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Optional Wheel: For those interested, take a turn on the potter’s wheel for additional refinements.
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Fire and Finish: Understand the steps for drying, bisque firing, and glazing to complete your masterpiece.
Consider purchasing a lamp shade and wiring kit before you begin sculpting. Here is a link to a basic wiring kit that we suggest: Lamp Kit from Home Depot
Here are some other options:
- Snakes Head Vintage has the wires and plugs, etc. – https://www.etsy.com/shop/
SnakeHeadVintage - Royal Lamp Shades – https://www.etsy.com/shop/
royalLAMPSHADES - Whole lamp set – https://www.etsy.com/
listing/1034700255/ - Bases and caps, etc from Antique Lamp Supply – https://antiquelampsupply.
com/
Perfect for those who have taken our Beginning Ceramics 1 course or have equivalent experience, as well as seasoned artists.
Light it up! Sign up now.
Pottery Classes at the Seattle Artist League
Join us for pottery classes in our 2,700 square foot studio in Seattle’s Georgetown Arts District. We offer classes for beginning ceramics in wheel throwing, hand-building, firing, and glazing. Our pottery classes are open to beginners and intermediate potters.
We have long offered classes in clay sculpting. Our commitment to the medium has expanded with the opening of our south Seattle Ceramics Studio. Join us for classes, workshops, and events in Seattle’s newest ceramics studio.
At the Seattle Artist League, we have a start where you are philosophy. You are welcome in our studio as a beginner or a seasoned pro. Join us.
Here are a few of the awesome lamps students have made!
- Teacher: Jia Jia
- Class Length: 8 Weeks
- Date: Friday, April 24
- Time: 6:00 – 9:00 pm
- Materials fee $35 – included in price
Beginning Sculpture in Clay
Welcome to our beginning sculpture in clay class, ideal for adults curious about clay sculpture, regardless of your prior experience. This course is a fantastic opportunity to expand your skills beyond the familiar realm of functional pottery.
In this course, you will learn key handbuilding techniques for building larger sculptures. We focus on slab and coil construction, essential for creating intricate and substantial clay forms. Through practical sessions, you’ll transform your sketches into 3D clay sculptures. We’ll explore the application of slips and glazes, adding color and texture to your creations.
Additionally, this course will cover the formal elements of sculpture such as the illusion of weight, form, mass, negative space, repetition, scale, color, and surface, enhancing the expressiveness and impact of your sculptures.
The course is hands-on, offering ample time for personalized instruction and skill development. Our aim is to broaden your artistic scope, encouraging a shift from conventional pottery to the dynamic field of sculptural art. This course is about exploring new possibilities in clay, fostering a creative mindset that can enhance even the most functional pottery projects.
All skill levels are welcome, and we provide all necessary materials. By the end of this course, you’ll have not only developed new sculptural techniques but also gained a fresh perspective on how these skills can enrich your pottery work.
Open Studio Hours: 7 days a week!
Pottery Classes at the Seattle Artist League
Join us for pottery classes in our studio in Seattle’s Georgetown Arts District. We offer classes for beginning ceramics in wheel throwing, hand-building, firing, and glazing. Our pottery classes are open to beginners and intermediate potters.
We have long offered classes in clay sculpting. Our commitment to the medium has expanded with the opening of our south Seattle Ceramics Studio. Join us for classes, workshops, and events in Seattle’s newest ceramics studio.
At the Seattle Artist League, we have a start where you are philosophy. You are welcome in our studio as a beginner or a seasoned pro. Join us.
Ceramic Wall Pocket
- Teacher: Alena Randolph
- Class Length: 3 sessions
- Date: Tuesdays, begins April 28
- Time: 2:30 – 5:30 pm
- Materials fee $25 – included in price
Open Studio Hours: 7 days a week!
Come make ceramic wall pockets! The styles are endless! Join us for hands-on evenings of clay, creativity, and experimenting! In this pottery class, you’ll learn how to hand-build a sweet wall pocket — perfect for a little patch of succulents or some other fabulous treasure. We’ll walk you through shaping your pocket, carving or impressing playful or elegant designs, and adding all the charming details that make it your own.
No experience? No problem! We’ll cover all the basics, and you’ll have plenty of room to experiment. Choose from classic plant motifs, or your own imaginative patterns. Your finished wall pocket will be kiln-fired and ready to be a home to your small treasures.
All levels welcome!
Pots for Plants
- Teacher: Jia Jia
- Class Length: 3 Weeks
- Date: Tuesday, April 28
- Time: 2:30 – 5:30 pm
- Materials fee $25 – included in price
Welcome to Pots for Plants, a three-session pottery class where students get the opportunity to unleash their creativity and hand build functional planters for their beloved greens. Whether you’re an experienced potter or a complete beginner, this class is designed to guide you through the fun process of creating unique and personalized planters that not only serve a practical purpose but also add beauty to your home.
Session 1: Introduction to Hand Building
In the first session, we will delve into the fundamentals of hand building techniques. You’ll explore various hand-building techniques such as pinch pots, coil construction, and slab building. Our experienced instructor will provide step-by-step demonstrations and offer individual guidance to help you gain confidence and develop your pottery skills.
Session 2: Design and Decoration
During the second session, we’ll focus on unleashing your creativity by exploring different design possibilities for your planters. We’ll discuss aesthetic considerations, such as shape, texture, and form, and guide you in translating your ideas into tangible pottery creations. We’ll also cover any additional finishing touches, such as adding drainage holes or attaching decorative elements. You’ll have the opportunity to experiment with surface decoration techniques, such as carving, stamping, and adding unique patterns or textures. Our instructor will share valuable tips and tricks to help you achieve the desired results.
Session 3: Glazing and Finishing Touches
In the final session, we’ll explore the art of glazing, a crucial step that adds color, depth, and durability to your planters. You’ll learn about different glazes and their effects, as well as techniques for applying glaze to achieve various finishes. Our instructor will guide you through the glazing process, ensuring that you have a solid understanding of how to create beautiful and functional planters.
By the end of the Pots for Plants class, you will have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to hand build your own unique planters, tailored to the specific needs and aesthetics of your plants. These planters will not only enhance the health and growth of your beloved greenery but also serve as stunning artistic pieces that showcase your individual style and creativity.
So, come join us in this exciting pottery adventure and let your imagination take shape! Sign up for “Pots for Plants” and embark on a fulfilling journey of creating functional and beautiful planters for your plants.
With hand building, clay adapts to your level quickly, so you can begin producing playful forms on the first day of class.
A variety of techniques and processes will be used to create handmade pottery that is both dishwasher and microwave safe.
ALL LEVELS
Come dressed comfortably, with clothes that can get messy.
Tools and materials will be provided – materials included in price.