Visual Arts Programs
Pottery
If
you want to become a potter, we will show you how. If you
want to shower your friends and family with gifts that you
made yourself, then you are more than welcome. If you have
been away from clay for a long time and just want to get
back into it, now is the perfect time.
Pottery
is an ancient craft that evokes a modern elegance. It is
both antique and contemporary in appearance. Participants
will be exposed to the history of ceramics while learning
how to make their own original creations.
Clay
is a great way to find the artist in you. It is very forgiving
and also very relaxing. No skill or prior experience is
necessary to take a class.
Programs
and Classes
The Champaign Park District offers a full range of pottery
and ceramics classes for anyone age 6 and up. All classes
are taught by Geoff Bant.
Classes
will instruct participants in the basics of clay, including
forming by hand, wheel throwing, glazing, and firing. Suggested
projects will expose participants to a full range of forming
and decorating techniques, but the class will focus on individual
interests, skills, and goals of the participants.
Exploratory Pottery
Classes will provide an overview of the topic, and instruction in construction and
decoration of pottery. No prior experience with clay is necessary. Projects will be
suggested for each class but students will be free to explore their own ideas. These
classes are relaxing and fun and will allow you to get away from the world for a while.
Parent & Child Pottery
You and your child can learn together to create
beautiful, functional or sculptural clay pottery.
Basic techniques of handbuilding, wheel
throwing, and glazing will be covered.
Pottery for All Skill Levels
Beginners will work with clay and create beautiful functional or sculptural pottery under the guidance of a professional instructor. The basic techniques of hand building, wheel throwing and glazing are covered. Bring a towel to the first class and dress for mess.
Pottery for Kids I
Learn coil and slab hand-building techniques and basic wheel throwing as you create bowls, boxes, plaques, and imaginative sculptures in clay.
Pottery for Kids II
Learn advanced coil, slab and decorating techniques and basic wheel throwing while enjoying a new project every class.
The
Champaign-Urbana Potter’s Club
The
Champaign Park District Pottery Studio is shared with the
members of the Champaign-Urbana Potters’ Club. The
Potters’ Club, founded in the early 70’s is
a co-op and has resided at several locations over the years.
The Potters’ Club is a not-for-profit organization
with a membership of about 40 people.
As
you become more interested in pottery and ceramics, you
may wish to join the Potters’ Club. Club members pay
a quarterly fee to join and can then use the studio, equipment
and materials to do their own work. Part of membership includes
participation on one of the committees like clay, glaze,
clean-up, or firing and help with two annual pottery sales.
The studio is open to club members during normal Springer
Cultural Center hours of operation.
For
more information, and to view a gallery of work by members,
visit the Champaign-Urbana Potters’ Club at: http://www.prairienet.org/potters/ |
