Blog

Guided Studio: Alternative Firings + Surface Design

July 06, 2025

Learn new techniques to improve your functional and non-functional ceramic forms. Try cone 10 reduction glazes and soda firing. Learn new surface design processes using slips, underglazes, terra sigillata and the spray booth application of both underglazes and overglazes. This class is best for intermediate and advanced students with a solid foundation of the basics […]

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Introduction to the Wheel (F)

July 06, 2025

Learn to throw clay on a potter’s wheel. We’ll cover the foundations of wheel work, including wedging and centering clay and forming cylinders, cups and bowls. Basic glazing information will help you finish your final forms.

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Stop Motion Animation – New!

July 06, 2025

Learn the basics of animation and video through the flexible medium of stop motion animation! This class will start with understanding the basic techniques of stop motion by taking pictures of an object being manipulated in time and then sequencing the pictures. Once you understand the basic principles (easy!), you will go on to create […]

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Painting With Gouache: Opaque Watercolor

July 06, 2025

Learn how to use gouache paint as we create works from observation. Gouache is an opaque, flat, color medium with beautiful possibilities. We'll start with a one-subject painting from observation and then move through projects with a variety of subjects like still-lifes with fruits and vegetables, flowers and botanicals, interiors and furniture, and outdoor landscapes. […]

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Linocut Printmaking

July 06, 2025

Students will learn how to create a single-color linocut print from start to finish! We will talk about contemporary linocut artists, learn about carving tools and safe handling, determine ways to transfer an image to block, try different carving techniques, and different methods of printing the carved image. Students will leave the class with a […]

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Slab Building: Make a Hanging Wall Shelf (Limited Offering) – New!

July 06, 2025

Do you have objects and mementos of personal or spiritual importance? Come build a unique, handmade home for those special items by using slabs to make a small altar or shelf. Slab building can be challenging, but in this new class, we will learn techniques to demystify the process. Learn how to create strong slabs, […]

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Writing Poetry

July 06, 2025

Explore the fundamental elements of poetry, through the reading and writing of poems. We'll read and discuss poems written by other people, then write poems of our own, with special attention to elements of line, image, and syntax. Students will learn how close readings of other poems may inspire their own work, and how they […]

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ONLINE: The Tough Stuff: Healing Through Writing

July 06, 2025

This class is for the conversations that still need to happen. We’ll talk about the barriers that keep us from writing what we need to write. We’ll also examine works by Chanel Miller, Jeannette Walls, and Layli Long Soldier to take lessons from the ways in which they make difficult topics easier to access. Students […]

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Introduction to Silversmithing

July 06, 2025

Jump right into working with sterling silver for jewelry. Basic jewelry fabrication techniques will be demonstrated or reviewed including sawing, drilling, sanding, polishing, and soldering. You can expect to leave class with one finished piece of jewelry. This class is accessible to the beginner but is also ideal for someone looking to polish their beginner […]

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Introduction to Acrylic Painting

July 06, 2025

In this acrylic painting class for all levels, you will learn the fundamentals of drawing and painting and discover your own style of painting as you advance through the class. We will learn how to paint in three dimensions, learn about color theory, facial anatomy and how to paint from life. More advanced students will […]

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Clay Lanterns, Votives + Candlesticks – New!

July 06, 2025

Explore the world of candle-lit lanterns, votives, and candlesticks. We'll work with slabs to create square and round voites, a pair of oil candlesticks, and large lanterns. We will cover the basics of slab building and move though the projects to build your skill.

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The Magic of Color Mixing + Color Theory

July 06, 2025

This class explores color theory and its application to painting. We will learn about primary colors, cool and warm colors, how to use a color wheel, and how to match almost any color with a limited palette of paints. This course will culminate in a colorful still life or still life inspired painting that utilizes […]

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Introduction to the Wheel (B)

July 06, 2025

Learn to throw clay on a potter’s wheel. We’ll cover the foundations of wheel work, including wedging and centering clay and forming cylinders, cups and bowls. Basic glazing information will help you finish your final forms.

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Intermediate Wheel Throwing (B)

July 06, 2025

Expand your skills by learning additional throwing techniques and working on complex projects. We'll explore larger-scale pieces, make sets, and add hand-built elements to our pieces. This class caters to individual interests, so we'll address specific techniques for your projects. Discussion on reduction firing in the gas kiln and glaze firing to cone 10 for […]

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Drawing Fundamentals (D)

July 06, 2025

Learn the basic tenets of drawing and composition. We’ll cover line, shape, space and value. Hone your observation skills and use charcoal to translate what you see to paper.

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Introduction to Letterpress (A)

July 06, 2025

Explore the letterpress printing process, which dates back to the 15th century and the time of Gutenberg. We’ll cover typesetting, inking, printing and paper selection as you become familiar with the terminology and VisArts’ presses. You’ll have time to create multiple pieces and trade work with classmates, which will help you build a small collection […]

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Slow-Stitched Embellishments – New!

July 06, 2025

Explore several methods of hand-stitched embellishment for fabric, including embroidery, kantha, sashiko, boro, and visible mending. Reap the benefits of a meditative and calming approach to art-making with fabric. All class materials will be included, but we encourage you to bring in your own items to mend or embellish, too.

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Introduction to Metal Jewelry (B)

July 06, 2025

Learn how to transform metals into beautiful works of wearable art. We’ll cover techniques such as sawing, drilling, texturing, working with wire, filing, sanding and polishing. We’ll also cover riveting, soldering with a torch. You’ll use these skills to make one finished piece of jewelry.

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Introduction to Hand Building

July 06, 2025

Create functional ceramic pieces using slab, coil, pinch and slump techniques. Learn how to use tools, create a variety of forms and apply slips. By the end of the class you’ll have a good understanding of basic hand building methods and clay studio practices.

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Design + Sew a Fabric Doll – New!

July 06, 2025

Make a personalized handmade fabric doll for that special child in your life. Explore different techniques like ladder stitch, hem stitch, couch stitch, fabric painting, and embellishing. This class is perfect for beginner sewers.

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Intermediate Acrylic Painting

July 06, 2025

Advance your knowledge of acrylic painting by practicing technical applications of paint. Students will develop their own style of painting as they learn advanced techniques. We will learn how to paint in various genres, to paint from life, and to develop a concept from sketch to completion. Students will complete multiple paintings but will finish […]

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Introduction to Digital Photography (C)

July 06, 2025

Learn what all the buttons on your digital camera actually do. You’ll learn about things like white balance, resolution and megapixels. We’ll discuss how to capture an image, ensure proper exposure and create an effective composition. Weekly assignments coupled with in-class discussions will help you troubleshoot problems and develop a creative eye.

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Sculptural Basketry

July 06, 2025

Learn the basics of basketry with an emphasis on using the techniques to make 3D sculptural forms. We will cover the basics of weaving and dyeing with reed, coiling with raffia, and looping with waxed thread. We will use these skills as the starting point for thinking about baskets as sculptures. Plan to leave class […]

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