Intermediate Handbuilding Course

Service Description

This class is intended for students who have an intermediate level of experience with clay that want to dive deeper into the language of surface decoration. While clay is the flesh and bones of the objects we make, the surface becomes the skin we outwardly express. This class will give you the tools to explore surfaces utilizing various techniques and materials. You will learn about techniques that can be applied to a variety of stages- greenware, bisqueware, and post-firing. Sgraffito, inlay, water etching, overglaze painting, and luster application will be demonstrated. How to utilize decorative materials such as slip, underglaze, wash, wax, and stains will be discussed in detail. Handbuilding demonstrations will be incorporated throughout the class including projects like handbuilding a lidded jar. Creative expression will be balanced with ceramic materials education including basic glaze chemistry. Take a deeper dive into the complex world of this humble medium we all love and build a solid working knowledge of ceramics. Clay and firing costs are included in the class Duration: 6 weeks from Nov 13th - Dec 18th Day & Time: Wednesdays 6:00pm - 9:00pm (3hrs) Teacher Bio: Michelle Im is a ceramic artist and educator with 12 years of experience working in the ceramics medium. As an educator, she has worked in a variety of settings in NYC since 2008. She holds a B.A. in combined studies in Biological Sciences and Art. Applying ceramic science knowledge, introducing ceramic histories as it relates to class material, and balancing this knowledge to empower and guide intuition in one's own creative expression is at the core of her teaching practice. She is currently the Artist Fellow at the Museum of Arts & Design and is a 2023 award recipient of the Teaching Artist Cohort Award, Center for Craft. Her residencies include Township10 (2024); Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts (Guest Artist, 2023); Penland School of Craft (Distinguished Fellow, 2023); and Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts (Visiting Artist, 2022).