SHORT STACK - SODA FIRING    |    Alya Khan     |     $275     |     Saturdays, 10am -1pm

Alya has assisted Gail Nichols on several firings at PNW while serving as her workshop assistant. In addition she has fired wood soda with Josh DeWeese and overseen the work study program in our studio for the past year. A welcome visitor from Australia, anyone with this much ceramic knowledge might turn your chooks into emus and kick your dunny down! She is a valued staff member as well.

Begins: October 9

Ends: November 6

The response to our summer short stack was lively so — we are doing it again! Five consecutive Saturdays and whoosh you’re free to go to that office party, Christmas shopping, or sign up for another short stax.

If you like the idea of surprise and a bit of the unpredictable in your work, then this is the class for you. This class will examine the stacking, loading, firing, and of course the making of soda fired pots.

We will use a light-firing clay designed to show the mark of the flame and that responds well to soda.

Three weeks of wet work, one week of glazing, and then we fire. A crisp and demanding schedule, but one that allows for an intense look at the firing process that continues to evolve in the ceramic field. We have more to discover.

Intermediate and advanced levels please. Previous soda experience helpful.

SHORT STACK - RAKU    |     Wally Bivins     |     $200     |    Saturdays, 10am-1pm

Wally Bivins has been working in the arts for nearly thirty years. He has completed two residencies at the Archie Bray Foundation in Montana, and has worked as an independent studio potter. Wally is equally fascinated with both traditional, and new clay work. He continues to look for the work that “…no one has seen, but everyone recognizes.” His overriding goal as a teacher is that students would find a passion for the work. He is currently the Executive Director of Pottery Northwest.

Begins: November 6

Ends: December 4

The response to our summer short stack was lively so — we are doing it again! Five consecutive Saturdays and whoosh you’re free to go to that office party, Christmas shopping, or sign up for another short stax.

Pottery Northwest has long been the place in the Pacific Northwest where raku happened. Paul Soldner, Jim Romberg and our very own Jean Griffith, former director, were the early practitioners of raku in this country. They more or less invented the American style and they have all worked at PNW. There isn’t much more fun in the ceramic field than taking red hot glowing objects out of a kiln and playing with them.

This class will fire every session for five weeks and that’s it. We’ll do it all, including building a kiln during the session. Bring a bisque pot to class the first night if you wish and yes—we’ll fire it.

Bring your own leather gloves, a long sleeve shirt, and no open toed shoes please.

WELCOME TO THE WHEEL WORLD    |     Adam Helenske     |     $330     |     Mondays, 6pm-9pm

Adam graduated with an art degree in ceramics at the end of 2008 from Minnesota State University Moorhead. He has been living in Seattle and working at Pottery Northwest since moving to the city in the fall of 2009. Adam recently moved in as the studio’s newest resident artist, and is looking forward to learning, teaching and laughing with the community at PNW.

Begins: October 4

Ends: December 6

WELCOME TO THE WHEEL WORLD    |     James Lobb     |     $330     |     Thursdays, 6pm-9pm

James Lobb comes from a long line of smart alecks (alecs, alex?). He received his BFA in Ceramics for the Rochester Institute of Technology’s School for American Crafts in 2003. He has been a special student at Northern Michigan University with Sam Chung and has assisted several workshops with artists and craftspeople such as Lana Wilson, Nan Smith, Susan Filley and Leah Leitson. Before moving to Seattle he worked for 3 years as the Ceramic Arts Technician at the Savannah College of Art and Design. He has answered several hundred thousand questions about working with ceramics and is equipped for more.

Begins: October 7

Ends: December 9

This is where you begin your journey with the potter's wheel. This class is noted for structured lessons and a wholicious approach to working with clay. Fundamental skills make up the body of the coursework including centering, trimming, bowls, cylinders, attachments and a thorough introduction to glazing. Gentle critiques help you hone your vision and develop an aesthetic. A raku firing at the end of the session wraps up a complete introduction to clay.

Intended for beginners and returning beginners

CUT AND PASTE     |     Deborah Schwartzkopf     |     $350     |     Mondays, 6pm-9pm

Deborah Schwartzkopf has returned to Seattle after going to undergrad in Alaska... traveling to Penn State for Grad work and then attending a few residencies, among which are the Bray and Ceramics Center in Berlin. She has also taught a variety of levels from children's to college courses and looks forward to teaching "Altered Forms" at PNW. Her favorite ice cream is Butter Pecan and she never gets tired of searching for seashells.

Begins: October 4

Ends: December 6

In this class we will be making hand built pots utilizing paper and “tar paper” templates, soft and hard slab construction, modeling, working from found and made molds, and more!  These techniques will help people get better at making, and altering non-round pots. These are skill sets that will also serve you down the road in taking your wheel formed pots in new directions. Remember not round is not square! It’s cool.

For intermediate and advanced students.

OH, THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT ... HMMMM!     |     Drew Nicklas     |     $330     |     Tuesdays, 6pm-9pm

Drew is a MFA graduate from Montana State University where he worked with Josh DeWeese. He specializes in large vessels and utilitarian pottery. Recently he has been exploring reduction cooled surfaces in both wood and soda kilns. He has taught ceramics at the college level as well as led community classes and workshops throughout the west. He has a national ceramic show record and a deep love for ping pong… although he plans to expand into other racket sports (i.e. badminton and pickle ball).

Begins: October 5

Ends: December 7

Intermediate pottery class is the coolest.  It is a chance to figure out answers to all of the questions that may have arisen during previous pottery classes. This class will continue to focus on proficiency with throwing, working on improving height and weight issues, and functionality.  We will attach pieces for taller forms and get good at handles, lids and spouts. There won’t be a lot of trickery just common solutions to age old pottery questions.  And glazing, what fun we will have glazing!

For intermediate students.

TERRA COTTA TERRA FORMA     |     Alya Khan     |     $330     |     Tuesdays, 6pm-9pm

Alya has assisted Gail Nichols on several firing at PNW while serving as her workshop assistant. In addition she has fired wood soda with Josh DeWeese and overseen the work study program in our studio for the past year. A welcome visitor from Australia, anyone with this much ceramic knowledge might turn your chooks into emus and kick your dunny down! She is a valued staff member as well.

Begins: October 5

Ends: December 7

In this class we will use the oldest clay tradition to make “new” work. Terra cotta has been a part of the ceramic spectrum since clay was first used. It remains a wonderful vehicle for expression with its robust color (terra cotta of course) and the vibrant colors and textures that inhabit the temperature range where we will fire.  

Be prepared to move your work from a place of comfort to trying new forms, surfaces and methods. We have one of the most established veins of clay with which to build a new vocabulary. 

This will be a handbuilding class with little attention to function and even less to things that are round. Whistles, reliquaries, imaginary ritual objects are all possible topics.

Open to all levels.

MAPPING THE HUMAN FORM     |     Jessi Li     |     $350     |     Wednesdays, 6pm-9pm

Jessi Li graduated from Bard College at Simon’s Rock in May 2009 with a B.A. in 3D Design. She works primarily in clay, though her curiosity often requires the employment of other media. Jessi is currently a resident at Pottery Northwest in Seattle where she spends the majority of her conscious hours. She is young, spunky, and ambitious and is looking forward to her artistic growth over the next couple of years.

Begins: October 6

Ends: December 8

We have tried to replicate the human form for thousands of years, and have learned that rarely are the skills of accurate representation innate. Instead, like any craft, it is practice that produces desired results. This class will begin with weekly studies of parts of the body, head, hands, feet, and joints, followed by three weeks of practicing the entire form. We will work from a live model and detailed photographs as references. All pieces, full figures and parts, will be sanded and painted using acrylics.

All levels welcome

SAGGAR FIRING     |     Ben Waterman     |     $330     |     Wednesdays, 6pm-9pm

Ben Waterman began his study of ceramics in conjunction with the Japanese Tea Ceremony while earning a degree in Political Theory at Whitman College. He then studied both subjects in Japan where he began his adventures in kiln building. He furthered his study of ceramics at Southern Oregon University with Jim Romberg, at Northern Arizona University, and at the University of Iowa with Chuck Hindes. He received a Freeman grant as visiting artist and translator for Toyoda Khoji, assisted him in teaching there, and continues as a lecturer. He has also taught at Seward Park Clay Studio and Mt. Hood Community College. He has consulted on the design of a number of wood, soda, and hybrid kilns in the Pacific Northwest. Staying in touch with the earth, he has established an organic farm which emphasizes the use of heirloom varieties and sustainable practices.

Begins: October 6

Ends: December 8

Saggar firing is a collaboration with chaos no matter how you slice it.  Excitement and disappointment will be constants.  In the class we will look at, and try various techniques specific to Saggar Firing. Did I mention that this class will be experimental!  Slips to be made, glazes to be altered, quick firings to be had, construction of micro environments specific to your work conceived of and made.  

As if that wasn’t enough — during the class, Chuck Hindes, University of Iowa emeritus, will do a workshop and perhaps even a firing with us if we get lucky (“to kick down the wisdom”—his words). This class will focus on wheel thrown work and the dialog between the process of making and the process of firing.

Intermediate/advanced wheel skills

THE HANDBUILT FEAST     |     Robin Leventhal     |     $450     |     Thursdays, 6pm-9pm

Robin Leventhal has had her hands dirty since she was a child. If not working in clay she was inevitably tying flies, making jewelry, candles, mixed media sculptures of late, or in the woods or her garden investigating plants and critters up close. Curiosity and the never ending desire to discover and learn has kept her busy. While perusing an MFA in Ceramics at the University of Michigan a summer job in the catering department revealed an entirely new obsession, cooking. After 18 years of honing her culinary skills she now strives to integrate her two passions, clay and food. With almost 20 years of cumulative experience in culinary and ceramics instruction combining the two evolved naturally! Time has come to connect the dots from the flame of the stove to that of the Kiln exploring the fundamentals of flavor and the art of presentation in this very unique class.

Begins: October 7

Ends: December 9

In this 10 week series we will explore the role of the chef in the kitchen and their connection to the Table.  With the holiday season right around the corner I will demystify that daunting responsibility of a perfectly prepared meal and the impeccably thought out table.   You will learn how to:

Brine, Roast and Stuff a Perfect Turkey!  You will leave feeling confident in your skills and fall in love with making the Turkey and the stuffing too!

The Art of the Pie and a few variations on caramel sauces (Salted-Sherry &  Chocolate-Port)

Sushi, because it’s delicious, fun and always in season!

Pasta and Gnocchi  - hearty and delicious to carry you through the winter ahead!

All these food have a long tradition that precedes them.  We also each have our own history we bring to the table as well, Both Culinarily and Aesthetically. We will explore the importance of Form and how that informs Function.  Finally, you will be encouraged to celebrate dishes that emulate your own personal history and how you share that with your close friends and family at the holiday table.  This class will culminate with a pot luck that will enable you to show off a favorite piece and recipe that you generated during this class.

**Note: Classes will alternate between the studio at PNW for clay work and
Cameron’s Catering kitchen for cooking classes.

Schedule will be:

SOGETSU IKEBANA     |     Nobuko Relnick     |     Thursdays, 5pm

Nobuko Relnick received the first teacher's certificate from the Sogetsu Ikebana Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan in 1966, continuing on to receive the highest teacher's certificate, "Riji rank," from Sogestsu Headquarters in Japan thirty years later in 1996. She was a member of the Ikebana International Tokyo Founding Chapter from 1988 to 1998, when she moved to Woodinville, WA from Tokyo, Japan. She was president of Ikebana International's Seattle Chapter from 2001 to 2003.

Taught by Nobuko Relnick, a master teacher and student of the Sogetsu school for over forty years. Summarized as the Japanese method of arranging flowers and plants, it is that and more. Ikebana is a living art using living materials and strives to create an aesthetic awareness. Ceramics and Ikebana are great companions and complement one another well. Please contact Nobuko for more information and the chance to work with beautiful materials in a fulfilling class.

Registration

Registration for classes will be on a first-come-first-served basis by mail or in-person. No class registration by phone. (Only workshop registration will be accepted by phone.)

Forms will be processed in the order received. You will be notified only if you do not secure placement in the class or classes of your choice. When a class fills we create a waiting list. If there is enough interest we may create a second section.

You may print and mail in the registration form, filled out completely, with credit card information or a check for the exact amount. Do not mail cash.

You may register in person. Office hours are 10 am - 5 pm, Tuesday through Friday.

Class Fees

Payment in full by check, cash, or credit card (vsia or mastercard only, please) is due with registration. Registration fees will cover firing and 25# of clay. Recycling used clay is encouraged.

Additional clay may be purchased at $15 per bag. Surcharges may apply for specialized clay bodies identified in class descriptions.

Cancellation Policy

If cancellation is less than two weeks prior to first class, $50 will be withheld from refunds. After the first class, no fees are refundable. Fees paid for the current session cannot be transferred as payment for the next class session. We reserve the right to cancel classes if the minimum enrollment is not reached; full tuition will be refunded.

Practice Times

One of the best features of classes at Pottery Northwest is the extensive work time available to students. If there is not another class or workshop in session, with very few exceptions, you are welcome. We look forward to seeing you get dirty here!

Student Responsibilites

As Pottery Northwest attempts to create a professional learning situation, class members are expected to participate in the loading, unloading, and firing of class kilns under the guidance of class instructors, and in studio maintenance and cleanup. Further, in keeping with the educational focus, student use of studio facilities to produce goods for commercial sale is not acceptable. Pottery-making can be a potentially hazardous activity. It is the responsibility of every student to exercise caution at all times within the Pottery.