Pottery, Handbuilding, & Sculpture Classes
Open registration for our Spring Session is Tuesday, March 17 @10:00 am for classes that begin the week of April 20.
- All levels of experience are welcome in every pottery, handbuilding, and sculpture class, ages 16 and up.
- Focus Study classes are not for beginners.
- All class fees of $275 ($295 for Focus Study) do not include starter supplies that will be purchased the first day of class at Mid-South Ceramics, the supply store on our Campus, for approximately $75.
- We are a C/6 studio.
- Registration starts at 10:00am via our website only. We do not take registrations via walk-ins, phone, or email.
- After successfully registering for a class, you will receive an email with an option to purchase labs. Labs are 4 hours of studio time 1 day per week for $85 per session and are only available for students who are registered for a class.
- Please note class times:
• Morning classes are 9:00-12:00
• Labs are 12:30-4:30
• Focus Study classes are 1:00-4:00 and 5:30-8:30
• Evening classes are 5:30-8:30
*Saturday class times are varied.
Our classes fill very quickly because our current students have the opportunity to Early Register. (That will be you next time!)
Registration Process
Pre registration, Week 7 of each session – only currently enrolled students can reregister for the class they are currently in. Registration process will be provided by their instructor.
Early registration, Week 8 of each session – only currently enrolled students can register for a different class if it didn’t fill in week 7. Registration process will be provided by their instructor.
Open registration, week 9 of each session – registration opens to the public online for available seats in classes.
Some classes close because they fill during pre and early registration. All open seats are available online during open registration. Hint: Register for any available space and you are then qualified for early registration week 8 of the session!
Here are a few helpful hints for first time, on-line registration:
1. Set up an account on our website for expediting your payment: https://theclaylady.com/my-account/
2. Log-on and be ready for when class registration opens at 10:00 on that registration date.
3. Choose your class and immediately check-out. Although the class may say there are 3 tickets (spaces in class) left, if someone is checking out ahead of you – those tickets will be gone by the time you reach the payment button.
4. Have a second choice in mind!
5. If you are registering for more than one student, you will be required to fill out full information for all – have their information ready!
Pottery Classes
Handbuilding
Focus Study
Focus Study Classes at The Clay Lady's Education Center concentrate on one subject and are not for beginners. Students must have the ability to create independently.
Our Pottery, Handbuilding, and Sculpture Instructors
Joseph McDaniel
During Class: We may go down a 30 minute rabbit hole on different history and how ceramics impacted culture.
Did You Know: I can tie any fact back into pottery. Ask me how I can relate Northern Europeans thinking tomatoes were poisonous back to ceramics!
As An Artist: I am an artist by being a teacher. My skillset is knowledge and explanations to make are through you.
Instagram: @josephmcdanielceramics
Merideth Holder
During Class: You might see some Some flopping pots and dancing to the oldies.
Did You Know: When I'm not in the studio you'll find me in the garden or on a hike with my family.
As An Artist: I seek out beauty in the everyday. Observing and making are key to the way I exist in the world.
Instagram: @merideth.holder
Website: meridethholder.com
Cassis Pitman
During Class: I might change your name entirely and my dog will do tricks.
Did You Know: I was a cowgirl once, a dog trainer briefly, and a wedding dress salesgirl.
As An Artist: I got my BFA in ceramics in 2013 but that is irrelevant. Spending dedicated time in a supportive community is what really fed my creative drives. I'm passionate about showing my students that same support.
Instagram: @tidalsedgestudio
Catherine McMurray
During Class: I do have a hard time with names and sometimes men especially become “Bob”. Just to make it easy. Also we do listen to music and that usually comes from the 70’s, for some it is entirely new.:)
Did You Know: I worked in the dental world before having a studio of my own. I have also have 3 daughters, a husband and 8 grandchildren. All local.
As An Artist: I received my BFA from Potsdam College of NY. Clay has been a lovely, rich part of my life all these years that I want to share. I have been teaching now for almost 10 years from beginners to advanced from pinch pots to Raku ware! What is always remarkable is that the students teach and feed me also. A circle of learning we all need to experience for the full reward of clay.
Instagram: @Cgmcmurray
Christine Roth
During Class: I don't take myself too seriously when it comes to clay so I encourage others to do the same. Expect to have fun and enjoy making mistakes and not being perfect!
Did You Know: I love wearing overalls to work with clay so if I have to make a stop on the way home I don't look bonkers.
As An Artist: Clay is not a job, it's a joy. I do this work for peace of mind. I never let it become a job for me. I enjoy spending time with people talking about clay and asking about their work and sharing ideas.
Instagram: @thesinginggecko
Rachel Moore
During Class: I’ll try out as many silly metaphors as it takes to make new concepts stick! There’s always more than one way to approach clay, and I’m excited to discover new ways to do things alongside my students.
Did You Know: In addition to pottery, I also love writing, sewing, and animals of all kinds - ask me about my pet gecko!
As An Artist: My favorite thing to hear as a potter is that a piece of my work is part of someone’s daily routine.
Instagram: @hayesroadstudio
Alexie Smith
During Class: You might see me surprise myself and start screaming out of excitement!
Did You Know: I coach Crossfit and have been trained to screen injuries.
As An Artist: I've been making pots for over 20 years and I'm just now creating work that looks like it came from the same artist.
Instagram: @lxceramix
Alexis Colbert
During Class: Sometimes the more seasoned students gather round new students to give their stories in support and extra hand holding. We get through it with the community! And we learn we can let go and rebuild at any time.
Did You Know: I also make puppets. About 10 years ago some of my puppets appeared in a nationally released movie called “Plush”. It was such a cool experience to sit in a movie theater with a bag of popcorn and see my puppets, 8 feet tall, on the screen.
As An Artist: My work explores our animal nature and how that relates to the human longing for a metaphysical reality. While I have benefited from formal education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Masters Degree in Theology, I am the product of self and community learning as an artist. I have shown my work nationally in galleries, art shows, and won various awards (Merit Awards from Tennessee Craft and Oz events).
Instagram: @whenbunniesfly
Alyssa Gorman
During Class: My pottery pups, Captain Jack and Poppins, will most likely inspect your pieces and ask for payment in the form of pets. You might even get a nose boop of approval on some pots (they're very gentle, though - only light boops).
Did You Know: I taught general education for ten years in public, private, and international schools.
As An Artist: In all areas of my life, I seek to learn and grow. So as an artist, I am constantly researching and testing out new methods so that I can understand as much as possible, and bring that information to others.
Instagram: @motopotteryco
Website: www.motopottery.co/
Cheryl Benus
During Class: I’ve been molding young minds (and clay) for 24 years as an art teacher in North Jersey! I taught everything from K to 8, and adults so I know how to handle both hyperactive hands and ambitious projects.
Did You Know: You’ll learn the basics of hand building—from slabs to coils to pinching—but beware, clay has a mind of its own! Come ready to get your hands dirty and to make mistakes that turn into masterpieces.
As An Artist: I’ve been a hand builder for 40 years, making everything from bowls to sculptures. My studio’s on the first floor of the co-op, come visit!
Instagram: @thelefthandedsculptor
Website: www.cheryleveclayworks.com
Olivia Mills
During Class: I'll keep you on your toes! We may all have a sing-along if a great song comes on, I may throw a riddle out there for everyone to solve, maybe hide a tiny pot in the studio for a scavenger hunt... You never know! It will be lots of fun!
Did You Know: I have a slew of hobbies outside of pottery and love to learn new skills! My main hobbies include hunting, drawing, painting, backpacking, teaching mahjong, etc etc. And I take my dog everywhere I can with me!
As An Artist: I've been throwing pots for 20 years and am still finding new styles to try out and new forms that excite me! That's the best part of clay. It's ever changing and new ideas are always there to be explored.
Instagram: @oliviaclairestudios
Website: www.oliviaclairestudios.com
Morgan Hooper
During Class: In class we will have fun creating together, helping one another grow, and building community.
Did You Know: I love to travel and spend time outdoors. I may show you a photo of my furbaby, Ramona the cat.
As An Artist: I like to explore many different styles and techniques. I like to push myself out of my comfort zone. Sometimes I learn best by failing first. After all, "It's just mud."
Danielle McDaniel
During Class: I will try any new technique or skill - therefore I may fail in a big way that teaches that new technique or skill!
Did You Know: I love to write and have tried for 40 years to merge my pottery and poetry!
As An Artist: I try to be an artist in everything I do, every day, in every way!
Instagram:@danielle.theclaylady
Website: theclaylady.com
Celeste Vangeli
During Class: After taking 8 weeks to learn and hone our pottery skills, we always end the session with Clay Olympics on the 9th and final week! Both new and returning students are encouraged to practice and show off by participating in our games!
Did You Know: I have a background in the biological sciences and 2D art.
As An Artist: I have always had this fascination with creating things with my bare hands, and I think it is why I am far more interested in the process and journey of creating art than the final pieces themselves!
Leah Quazi
During Class: We’ll slow down, settle in, and learn new ways to express our creativity together!
Did You Know: I love wordplay and puns and my sense of humor is dryer than your bisque ware.
As An Artist: I’m a Texas native and made my first wheel thrown pot in 2005. I love throwing tall vases, tiny pots, and closed forms, and am drawn to using earthy matte glazes.
Instagram: @leebeepottery
Susan Lawless
During Class: It’s possible I could break out into song and probably won’t get the words right.
Did You Know: I love riding in my jeep with my dogs, Louie and Charlie.
As An Artist: It’s very satisfying to take a mound of clay and shape it into a creature that takes on its own personality. Most of my pieces are Raku fired. I love the anticipation of how each piece will turn out with so many different variables.
Instagram: @susanlawlessceramics
Website: susanlawlessceramics.com
Jessica Uhles
During Class: You might see clay in my hair and on my glasses. I joyfully embrace the mess and encourage my students to do the same. I’m also a big fan of the sky, so be prepared to take a break at the wheel and watch the sunset with me.
Did You Know: When I’m not in my studio, I’m finding a trail to hike or a creek to dip my toes in. Sometimes I do that with my goofy bloodhound Gus.
As An Artist: I love clay because there’s always something new to learn and explore. After 8 years of creating, I still don’t have “my style” figured out. And I find a lot of excitement in that. I do know I love to carve. No pot is safe from my “I could carve that” mentality.
Jennifer Ancevski
During Class: It will be fun and challenging. I really encourage students to get out of their own head and just have fun with clay. Everything is fixable!
Did You Know: I have 5 dogs, I can't help myself.
As An Artist: I like to just experiment and explore until I find a style or technique I'm happy with. Once I've practiced that, start experimenting again!
Instagram: @happyhappypots
Hank Sekeres
During Class: We will have fun while I encourage you to let go of your expectations and focus on creativity.
Did You Know: I'm the tallest person on staff and I've climbed the tallest mountain in Ireland.
As An Artist: I try to look at where we've come from in ceramics and honor that in my work.
Instagram: @henryszekeresceramics
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