Ceramics Classes

Please bookmark this page and check back regularly as we add new classes online throughout the season. Dates and times are subject to change.

Cancellation Policy:  Occasionally classes must be cancelled if minimum enrollment is not met for our visiting instructors, there is a health or weather emergency, or other unforeseen events.  We understand that this may be a disappointment to our students, and we’ll do our best to inform you as early as we can of the cancellation.

If Oliver Art Center cancels a class, we’ll offer a full refund or credit towards another course, at your discretion.

If a student must withdraw from a class a full refund less $10 processing fee will be issued if cancellation is received at least one week prior to the first day of class. After that time, no refunds are provided. If you sign up for a multi-day or multi-week class but do not attend the entire course, we will not pro-rate the class as we need to pay our guest instructors for your spot in the class.

Ceramic Classes at OAC

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Learn to love clay at OAC! Whether you want to explore wheel-throwing, expand your hand-building skills, or learn new techniques, you will enjoy our variety of ceramics workshops. Our on-site ceramics studio features seven electric wheels, two kilns, two large work tables, a clay prep station, and a glazing station. New classes and workshops will be added throughout the year – be sure to join our mailing list to stay up to date on new offerings!


Ceramics with Steve Kline –

Ceramics Exploration Series
$160 (Members, $144)

This unique ceramics study course is designed to allow students to learn at their own pace while exploring projects of their own interest. Each session is comprised of three-hour classes that run for six weeks. All skill levels are welcome. Explore making vessels, tiles, and sculptures with slabs, or work on the wheel. Class is designed to encourage personal growth and discovery, with one-on-one input from instructor Steve Kline. Guidance is provided in problem-solving for success in any direction you might wish to follow.

Class size is limited to 8 students, allowing everyone access to kiln firings and instructor input. Please note, this is not an “open studio” – students will work on pieces in class, and those pieces will be glazed and fired within the 6 week session. Registered students will have access to the studio for “Finishing Lab” two days a week outside of class, schedule permitting. New students will be given a studio orientation during their first session to learn policies for preparing and storing clay, use of glazes, and studio cleanliness.

Class price includes up to 25 lbs. of clay, glazes, and firings. Additional clay is available for purchase.

Instructor Steve Kline made a name for himself as an artist in Louisiana making monumental sculptures for public and commercial spaces. His works can be found at Armstrong Park in New Orleans, Tulane University, a public playground in New Orleans, and other locations. He and his family relocated to Northern Michigan, and he manages OAC’s ceramics studio in addition to working in his home studio in various mediums.

Find him on Instagram at Steve Kline Art

Registration for each session opens a few weeks before the session begins.
If the class looks full, please check with the office at 231-352-4151 or info@oliverart.org for more information.


Ceramics with Rachel Liebler –

Wheel Throwing (Beginning and Intermediate Classes)
$150 (Members, $135)

These courses will focus on instructor-led skills introducing clay bodies, tools, wedging, centering, throwing, and trimming – as well as general knowledge of working with clay. Class will meet for two hours, once a week for four weeks. Students will focus on strong foundational skills (proper centering, setting the bottom of a vessel form, smooth confident pulls, straight-walled cylinders, clean arc for bowls, proper footing/trimming techniques, and sleek glazing). Students will produce (start to finish) several complete forms during the class run (more if time and student ability allows). Students are welcome to participate in the “Finishing Lab” times available for those registered for clay classes at OAC.


 

 

 

Ceramics Classes

Ceramics Exploration Session 8A

 

NOTE:  THIS CLASS IS 5 WEEKS DUE TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

Wednesdays November 13 - December 18, 12 - 3 pm.  NO CLASS THANKSGIVING WEEK (11/27)

This unique ceramics study course is designed to allow students to learn at their own pace while exploring projects of their own interest. Each session is comprised of three-hour classes that run for six weeks. All skill levels are welcome. Explore making vessels, tiles, and sculptures with slabs, or work on the wheel. Class is designed to encourage personal growth and discovery, with one-on-one input from instructor Steve Kline. Guidance is provided in problem-solving for success in any direction you might wish to follow.

OAC CERAMICS STUDIO GUIDELINES:
• Classes include extra time in the studio as the schedule allows, for glazing and finishing work. Finishing Lab days are typically available twice weekly but this is not guaranteed - please watch the in-studio calendar for updates.
• Please complete all your work within the class sessions. Unless you plan to register for the next set of classes, your work should be created, glazed, and fired within the multi-week class sessions.
• Work left longer than 60 days may be disposed of. Please do not leave work in the studio as storage is very limited.
• Registration includes up to 25# of clay. Additional clay can be purchased at the reception desk.
• Studio glazes are made available at no cost. We are not able to guarantee availability. If you prefer to bring your own glazes, please confirm their compatibility with the instructor.
• The OAC Ceramics Studio is not set up for production work. Work will be fired as kiln space is available.
• The Ceramics Studio is a shared space; please keep it clean for all students. Tools, work surfaces, and floors should be cleaned at the end of each work day.

Wed November 13, 2024

Member Price: $121.50

Non-Member Price: $135.00

Available Spaces: 6

 
Ceramics Exploration Session 8B

 

NOTE:  THIS CLASS IS 5 WEEKS DUE TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

Wednesdays November 13 - December 18, 6-9 pm.  NO CLASS THANKSGIVING WEEK (11/27)

This unique ceramics study course is designed to allow students to learn at their own pace while exploring projects of their own interest. Each session is comprised of three-hour classes that run for six weeks. All skill levels are welcome. Explore making vessels, tiles, and sculptures with slabs, or work on the wheel. Class is designed to encourage personal growth and discovery, with one-on-one input from instructor Steve Kline. Guidance is provided in problem-solving for success in any direction you might wish to follow.

OAC CERAMICS STUDIO GUIDELINES:
• Classes include extra time in the studio as the schedule allows, for glazing and finishing work. Finishing Lab days are typically available twice weekly but this is not guaranteed - please watch the in-studio calendar for updates.
• Please complete all your work within the class sessions. Unless you plan to register for the next set of classes, your work should be created, glazed, and fired within the multi-week class sessions.
• Work left longer than 60 days may be disposed of. Please do not leave work in the studio as storage is very limited.
• Registration includes up to 25# of clay. Additional clay can be purchased at the reception desk.
• Studio glazes are made available at no cost. We are not able to guarantee availability. If you prefer to bring your own glazes, please confirm their compatibility with the instructor.
• The OAC Ceramics Studio is not set up for production work. Work will be fired as kiln space is available.
• The Ceramics Studio is a shared space; please keep it clean for all students. Tools, work surfaces, and floors should be cleaned at the end of each work day.

Wed November 13, 2024

Member Price: $121.50

Non-Member Price: $135.00

Available Spaces: 5

 
Ceramics Exploration Session 8C

 

NOTE:  THIS CLASS IS 5 WEEKS DUE TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

Thursdays November 7 - December 19, 10 am - 1 pm.  NO CLASS THANKSGIVING WEEK (11/28)

This unique ceramics study course is designed to allow students to learn at their own pace while exploring projects of their own interest. Each session is comprised of three-hour classes that run for six weeks. All skill levels are welcome. Explore making vessels, tiles, and sculptures with slabs, or work on the wheel. Class is designed to encourage personal growth and discovery, with one-on-one input from instructor Steve Kline. Guidance is provided in problem-solving for success in any direction you might wish to follow.

OAC CERAMICS STUDIO GUIDELINES:
• Classes include extra time in the studio as the schedule allows, for glazing and finishing work. Finishing Lab days are typically available twice weekly but this is not guaranteed - please watch the in-studio calendar for updates.
• Please complete all your work within the class sessions. Unless you plan to register for the next set of classes, your work should be created, glazed, and fired within the multi-week class sessions.
• Work left longer than 60 days may be disposed of. Please do not leave work in the studio as storage is very limited.
• Registration includes up to 25# of clay. Additional clay can be purchased at the reception desk.
• Studio glazes are made available at no cost. We are not able to guarantee availability. If you prefer to bring your own glazes, please confirm their compatibility with the instructor.
• The OAC Ceramics Studio is not set up for production work. Work will be fired as kiln space is available.
• The Ceramics Studio is a shared space; please keep it clean for all students. Tools, work surfaces, and floors should be cleaned at the end of each work day.

Thu November 14, 2024

Member Price: $121.50

Non-Member Price: $135.00

Available Spaces: 7

 
Ceramics Exploration Session 8D

 

NOTE:  THIS CLASS IS 5 WEEKS DUE TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

Thursdays November 14 - December 19, 3:30 - 6:30 pm. NO CLASS THANKSGIVING (11/28)

This unique ceramics study course is designed to allow students to learn at their own pace while exploring projects of their own interest. Each session is comprised of three-hour classes that run for six weeks. All skill levels are welcome. Explore making vessels, tiles, and sculptures with slabs, or work on the wheel. Class is designed to encourage personal growth and discovery, with one-on-one input from instructor Steve Kline. Guidance is provided in problem-solving for success in any direction you might wish to follow.

OAC CERAMICS STUDIO GUIDELINES:
• Classes include extra time in the studio as the schedule allows, for glazing and finishing work. Finishing Lab days are typically available twice weekly but this is not guaranteed - please watch the in-studio calendar for updates.
• Please complete all your work within the class sessions. Unless you plan to register for the next set of classes, your work should be created, glazed, and fired within the multi-week class sessions.
• Work left longer than 60 days may be disposed of. Please do not leave work in the studio as storage is very limited.
• Registration includes up to 25# of clay. Additional clay can be purchased at the reception desk.
• Studio glazes are made available at no cost. We are not able to guarantee availability. If you prefer to bring your own glazes, please confirm their compatibility with the instructor.
• The OAC Ceramics Studio is not set up for production work. Work will be fired as kiln space is available.
• The Ceramics Studio is a shared space; please keep it clean for all students. Tools, work surfaces, and floors should be cleaned at the end of each work day.

Thu November 14, 2024

Member Price: $121.50

Non-Member Price: $135.00

Available Spaces: 6