Clay Studio Classes
Garden Animal Sculpture
A one day workshop at the Clay Studio, Sunday, June 2, 10 AM to 4
PM. No experience needed.
Make a charming 8 to 10” animal to nestle in your garden – choose a pig, hedgehog, rabbit, cat, or puppy. You will work with red terra cotta clay and colorful glazes.
Class fee $60.00; Members pay $50.00. Bring lunch and a drink.
Kay Jones, instructor, discovered her love of ceramics after retirement, and has expanded her skills by studying specialized techniques with professional ceramic artists. From Japanese tea bowls to colored porcelain, from slip trailing to wood firing, her studies have taken her around the US as well as to France and Italy. Kay sells her work in specialty shops and shares her love of ceramics by teaching adults and children at RiverArts, the Dorchester Center for the Arts, and private lessons.
Workshops in Ceramics, Tile Painting and Glass Mosaics
How does your garden grow?
Perfect with clay flowers with Kay Jones
Saturday March 23, 10-4
$65. members $75. others
Students will make a variety of ceramic blossoms to be used as garden (or indoor) ornaments. You will learn to hand paint them the same day they are made. Students will need to return in a couple of weeks, after the flowers have been bisque fired, to add a clear glaze that will result in a beautiful glossy finish. The finished pieces can be taken home after their final firing
Kay Jones discovered her love of ceramics after retirement, and has expanded her skills by studying specialized techniques with professional ceramics artists. From Japanese tea bowls to colored porcelain, slip trailing to wood firing, her studies have taken her around the U.S. as well as to France and Italy. Her work is exhibited for sale in specialty shops. Kay loves sharing her art through teaching adults and children at the Dorchester Center for the Arts, Chestertown RiverArts and private lessons
Porcelain Painting (new dates)
with Fran Phaneuf
April 13, 20~ Downtown studio/gallery
and April 27~ Clay Studio
12:30-3:30
$85. members $75. others
Students will learn the art of painting on porcelain using an overglaze process, which means that unlike its sister arts of pottery and ceramics, all of the work is done on an already glazed tile, using the tile as an oil painter would a canvas. Your painted tiles will be kiln fired.
Fran Phaneuf is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists and has studied botanical painting in Great Britain with Anne Marie Evans and at Longwood Gardens, PA with Joan Frain. Her paintings have been exhibited at the Philadelphia Flower Show, Chanticleer, Morris Arboretum and other venues in the Philadelphia area.
Glass Mosaics
with Jennifer Wagner
April 27, May 11~ 9:30-3:30
and May 18~ 9:30-12:30
$160. members $180. others.
$50 materials fee (paid to instructor)
This is Jen’s third year at RiverArts. Everyone loves her class and gets gorgeous results, even with no experience. She will help you create a beautiful transparent glass mosaic window in a vintage paneled window frame that she will supply. Learn design, use of tools, breaking techniques, adhering and grouting, and take away a glass mosaic window of your own design to be used indoors or out in the garden.
Jen Wagner of Easton owns and operates Jen Wagner Mosaics and is well-known for creating large-scale community murals, private commissions and gallery work. Her mosaics can be found in private collections, community organizations, schools, restaurants and salons across the region. In 2008, Wagner received the Beautification Award from Cambridge. MD. In 2009 What’s Up? Eastern Shore magazine named her one of the “Top 12 People to Watch” and in 2011 she was named “Best Artist on the Upper Shore” by Maryland Life magazine.
Winter Classes
Potters Wheel with Marilee Schumann
All Levels
A class for beginners and students at various levels who will continue to develop their throwing and creative technique through one-on-one teaching and self-directed projects. All are welcome no matter what your level of skill. Beginners will learn to make basic forms of functional ceramics on the wheel, including trimming and glazing. For more advanced learners, the focus will be on aesthetics, craftsmanship, and personal expression.
Tuesdays 6 – 9:00 pm, January 15 to March 5 or
Wednesdays 9:30 to 12:30, January 16 to March 6 Class
Fees: members: $220, non-members: $250
Fee includes your first 25 lbs of clay and first bisque firing, there is an extra fee for glaze firings dependent on the size of your pieces.
Beginning students will need a tool kit which is available for purchase at the first meeting. Approximate cost $15.
Potters Wheel with Rick Bisgyer
All Levels
This class is suited to a range of learners, from beginners to those with previous experience. Beginners will learn the basics of working on the potter’s wheel to create cups, vases, and bowls. From centering clay and pulling up cylinders, to working toward esthetic shapes with an eye on form and function. More advanced students will improve their design and throwing technique and learn more nuanced glazing skills. All are welcome no matter what your level.
Thursdays 9:30-12:30
Feb. 7 to March 28
Class Fees: members: $220, non-members: $250
Fee includes your first 25 lbs of clay and first bisque firing, there is an extra fee for glaze firings dependent on the size of your pieces.
Beginning students will need a tool kit which is available for purchase at the first meeting. Approximate cost $15.
Porcelain Primer with Rick Bisgyer
Intermediate
Fascinating potters and collectors alike, porcelain is equal parts delicacy and strength. It can be seductive, intoxicating, even addictive. This 8 week class is designed for the intermediate student with experience throwing on the pottery wheel. Here is your opportunity to learn techniques specific to this sensual clay body from Rick Bisgyer, a full time studio potter working in porcelain for the last ten years. Rick will teach you tricks of the trade in throwing, joining, stretching, altering, and creating dynamic surface decorations. You will explore how to use the inherent strength of this ancient clay body to finesse thin walled vessels finished in jewel-like celadon glazes as well as create the most durable tableware for everyday use.
Thursdays 1:30-4:30
Feb. 7 to March 28
Class Fees: members: $220, non-members: $250
Fee includes your first 25 lbs of clay and first bisque firing, there is an extra fee for glaze firings dependent on the size of your pieces.
Introduction to Clay with Gia Campana
This is your invitation to learn the basics of pottery making, both by hand and on the wheel, in a friendly and supportive environment. A complete overview of clay will help you decide on a personal areas of interest you may wish to pursue. Basic glazing will be included.
Tuesdays 9:30-12:30 Jan. 22~ March 12
Class Fees: members: $220, non-members: $250
Fee includes your first 25 lbs of clay and first bisque firing, there is an extra fee for glaze firings dependent on the size of your pieces.
Beginning students will need a tool kit which is available for purchase at the first meeting. Approximate cost $15.
Porcelain Painting with Fran Phaneuf
3-Day Beginners Workshop
Saturdays 1:30-4:00 Jan.19, 26 and Feb.2
$85 ($75 members)
Learn the art of painting on porcelain using an overglaze process, which means that unlike its sister arts of pottery and ceramics, all of the work is done on an already glazed tile, using the tile as an oil painter would a canvas. Your painted tiles will be kiln fired.
Open Studio
The Clay Studio workspace and equipment are available at scheduled times for class practice or individual work by community artists and potters with knowledge of studio technique.
Winter Open Studio will be Wednesdays and Saturdays 12:30-3:30 pm
To register for a class
email us at riverarts@verizon.net
or phone the office at 410-778-6300.
Office hours for registration are
Wednesday to Friday, 11-4 and Saturday 9am -4pm.
RiverArts Clay Studio is located at the Arts at Still Pond Station, Still Pond Neck Rd., Worton, about 10 minutes from Kent County High School. A little north of Chestertown turn onto Rt 561 toward Lynch. Follow Rt 561 to the stop sign at the end of the road. Turn right onto Rt 298 and take the next left onto Clark Rd. Follow Clark Rd to the stop sign at Still Pond Neck Road. Turn left and continue several miles to the end of the road (it is a curvy road through the countryside). There is a sharp left turn after the Camp Tockwogh entrance. Go about one mile more, past the Coast Guard sign, to a low brick building at the end of the road. The entrance to Artworks Clay Studio is around back. Parking is available.
Free for enrolled students, $5 per day for others, everyone welcome!