Class: Functional Hand-Building Ceramics | July 28 - August 25

Create pottery meant to be held, shared, and used every day while learning the foundations of ceramic hand-building. In this beginner class, Cindy Navarro-Bowman will help you explore the three fundamental methods of working with clay: slab, pinch, and coil. Beginning with simple forms, you'll gradually combine techniques to build larger, more expressive pieces with strength and character. Learn to roll slabs for mugs and cylinders, shape bowls and cups through pinch construction, and build vessels using coils. As your confidence grows, you'll discover how pinch and coil techniques can work together to create taller forms such as serving bowls, vases, and other one-of-a-kind functional ware. This class celebrates the beauty of handmade pottery. Rather than striving for perfect symmetry, you'll learn to embrace the natural textures, subtle variations, and organic forms that make each piece uniquely your own. During the final class, you'll glaze your bisque-fired work before it receives its final firing. Finished pieces will be available for pickup at a later date. Throughout the course, you'll learn: Slab construction for mugs and cylinders Pinch pot techniques for bowls and cups Coil building for vessels and sculptural forms Combining pinch and coil methods to create larger pieces Attaching, shaping, and refining functional pottery Glazing and finishing techniques