Workshops
2023
Ceramics 101
6-Week Workshop: Sunday, February 5th through Sunday, March12th
Location: The Curious Forge Arts Center (click here to visit thecuriousforge.org)
13024 Bitney Springs Rd
Nevada City, CA 95959
Ages: 17+
Cost: PUBLIC: $295.50 plus $35 materials = $330.50
CURIOUS FORGE MEMBER $247.50 plus $35 materials = $282.50
Pre-registration required.
Class is limited to 8
This 18-hour workshop is for people who would like a broad understanding of how to work with the medium of clay.
It is for people with no experience, as well as those who wish to gain a broader understanding of what makes clay such an amazing medium.
We learn how to work on the potter's wheel as well as hand-building.
We cover all the basics of embellishing your work, too.
You will come away with a broad basic knowledge of the medium and have a blast making wares to take home.
Come away with a focus on the direction you want to take next in your adventure of exploring the medium of clay.
What to Expect
Ceramics 101 Week by Week
Week 1
Introduction
(15 minutes)
Discussion of different types of clay
How to use a damp box
(15 minutes)
Demonstration of centering on the wheel with a cup and a bowl, and altering form on the wheel (15 +minutes)
Talk about hand building with slabs/coils and extruder
(15 minutes)
Work time:
2 hours with 15 minutes for cleanup.
Week 2
Discussion of techniques
(15 minutes)
Stamping
Sprigging
Carving
Chattering
Steve’s Tool
Work time:
2 hours and 45 minutes with demos as needed with15 minutes for cleanup
Week 3
Discussion of working with slips and engobes
(15-30 minutes)
Demonstration of making and attaching handles and trimming- (30 minutes)
Work time:
2 hours with 15 minutes for cleanup
Some folks may still be struggling with centering and making a form. Others will be trimming a bowl or applying a handle.
BISQUE FIRE
Discussion of underglaze versus overglaze decoration
(30 minutes)
Underglazes
Oxides
Washes
Crayons
Pencils
Decals
Work time:
2 hours 30 minutes (new forms) with 15 minutes for cleanup. Final prep for bisque fire
Discussion of understanding glazes and how to apply them. How to test for food safety.
(15-30 minutes)
Demonstration of how to use wax resist and why I hate it. Other types of masking.
(15-30 minutes)
Work time:
2 hours with 15 minutes for cleanup.
Preparing work for bisque firing
Demonstration of glazing techniques
(15- minutes)
Review of what we learned with demos as requested
(15 minutes to 1 hour)
Work time:
1 hour for decorating/glazing with 15 minutes for cleanup
Bob Davis, Artisan Potter & Sculptor
I love teaching almost as much as I love playing with clay! I want you to have as much fun as I do and learn the basics of working with clay and glazes. Let me guide you in your exploration of the medium, and learning more techniques to create the kind of artisan ware you most want to create.
Bob Davis
Next steps
How to Enroll
To register and pay for workshops, go to Calendar on the menu, find the workshop, and click on it to open the ticketing page.