Introduction to Hand Building

Come learn to make things with clay! Designed for students brand-new to clay and/or new to hand building. We will focus on building a strong foundation of skills and techniques that students can carry forward in their ceramics practice. Each class meeting will have a specific focus and students can expect to complete 6-8 projects. We’ll make everything from pinch pots to garden sculptures! The class will also include discussions of basic knowledge about clay, glazes, and kilns that will give students a holistic understanding of ceramics.

Student work will be available for pick up 1-2 weeks after the end of the class.

Enrollment includes one 25 lb. bag of clay!

CLASS DETAILS

Day: Saturdays
Times: 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Dates: September 23 - November 4
(7 week class)
Location: Ceramics Lab, LeMoyne Arts
​(125 N. Gadsden St.)
​Instructor: Laurel Blackthorne
Ages: Adults
Tuition: $235 for members/$245 for non-members

Supplies: Tuition includes one 25 lb. bag of clay, use of studio tools and firing of work. Additional clay is available for purchase.

Refund Policy

​ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

LAUREL BLACKTHORNE (They/Them)
I am a community and self-taught ceramic artist. I’ve lived in Tallahassee for almost twenty years and absolutely love the community I have found here. While I’ve been working with clay for six years, I transitioned to a career in the arts in late 2020 out of a desire to engage with the world in a different way. My art focuses on themes of nature, queerness, resistance, and joy and I make a combination of functional pottery and ceramic sculpture. I think the strength of art is its ability to bring people together. Alongside my own artistic practice, I work as a pottery instructor specializing in helping students build strong foundations in ceramics and decorative techniques.

I am also the Executive Director and one of the founding members of the Queer Tallahassee Artists Collective. Founded in 2021 QTAC is committed to building economic opportunity and community spaces that celebrate LGBTQIA+ artists. I am deeply committed to the importance of arts in the Tallahassee community and recognize the importance of creating safe spaces for marginalized communities to engage in the arts.

​You can find me at BlackthorneCeramics.com and can always reach me at [email protected]. ​
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You can view Laurel Blackthorne's website here!