May Carter Pottery Studio

Instructor: Kim Clarke Go ahead and get a little dirty on Friday night! Couples, singles, and friends are welcome to join us at The Academy Center of the Arts Pottery Studio for an evening of fun, romance and throwing on the pottery wheel. Instructor Kim Clarke will walk you through the simple steps of throwing on the potter’s wheel with a Valentine’s themed project. Beer, wine, light snacks, clay and tools are included. Wear or bring clothes to change into that you don’t mind getting dirty. Preregistration is required. Please register online, but if you have any additional questions contact Ted Batt at tbatt@academycenter.org or 434-528-3256 x127 for more information. The $40 fee is per person and the event is for adults ages 18 and over.

Acquire glass cutting skills and learn the basics of firing and slumping while creating projects in glass. Possible projects include sun catchers, bowls, vases and many others. Instructor is Suzanne Michaels.  Class is limited to six students!

In this fun and fully interactive class, learn to make your own mosaic art pieces, with instructor, Kim Clarke. We will be working using the direct method. Choose from several project bases (mirror, address number plaques, frames etc). All bases and materials are included, along with colored glass, adhesives and grout. Use the wide array of colored glass and mirror tiles provided or bring in your own tiles, bases other fun items that can be used in mosaics. Great for beginners. **A $15 materials fee is due to the instructor on the first night of class. Artist Bio: Kim Clarke originally from California has been a teacher and artist for many years. She has an artistic style which is very fun and whimsical. Kim’s art pieces reside in galleries and private collections all over the world including France and Australia. Upon visiting Lynchburg she discovered the Pottery Studio at the Academy center and loved it.  Her passion for clay, mosaics, and pottery brought her to teaching classes and workshops there. She now calls Virginia home.

For beginning and intermediate students; you will learn hand building techniques with teacher Anna Ellis and later in the session will learn throwing on the wheel. Demonstrations will cover use of underglazes, utilizing different techniques in a single piece, hand building larger and complex forms.  Students will be encouraged to develop a style with personal distinction motifs.

Instructor: Kim Clarke Ready to try your hand at the potter’s wheel? There will be helpful demonstrations and lots of hands-on time in this session. You will be learning the basics of wheel throwing, hand building, and surface decoration in this fun and casual class, taught by instructor Kim Clarke. You will get some tips and tricks that will help you create some beautiful pottery! This is a great way for you to take a break and explore your creative side in this fun introduction to clay. No experience needed! Tuition includes a 25 lb. bag of clay and glaze and firing costs. Artist Bio: Kim Clarke originally from California has been a teacher and artist for many years. She has an artistic style which is very fun and whimsical. Kim’s art pieces reside in galleries and private collections all over the world including France and Australia. Upon visiting Lynchburg she discovered the Pottery Studio at the Academy center and loved it.  Her passion for clay, mosaics, and pottery brought her to teaching classes and workshops there. She now calls Virginia home.

This class asks the big question : What do you want to make? Is it functional or sculptural? Are you interested in wheel throwing or handbuilding? Are you not sure how to even begin to answer those questions but have a desire to work with clay? Then let instructor Justin Rice help you find your way in the clay studio. This class is open to all skill levels, from the first time beginner to the advanced maker. Expand your knowledge and explore the possibilities of working with clay through personal projects and experimentation. Justin Rice is a multi disciplinary artist working with drawing, printmaking, woodworking and ceramics. He earned his BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art, majoring in Drawing with a concentration in Printmaking. His large scale drawings, woodblock prints and etchings explore the narrative world of graphic mark making. Justin is a founding member and co-owner of Oxide Pottery in Lynchburg VA. He has been a full time potter and instructor for 10 years. His work is carried in galleries and museum shops across the United States, most notably: Museum of Art and Design NY, Baltimore Museum of Art, American Folk Art Museum, Boston Museum of Fine Art…

For beginning and intermediate students with instructor Justin Rice. Introduction to and focusing on wheel throwing and incorporating some hand building and glazing techniques, with advanced technique instruction for returning students. Tuition includes a 25 lb. bag of clay and glaze and firing costs.   Justin Rice is a multi disciplinary artist working with drawing, printmaking, woodworking and ceramics. He earned his BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art, majoring in Drawing with a concentration in Printmaking. His large scale drawings, woodblock prints and etchings explore the narrative world of graphic mark making. Justin is a founding member and co-owner of Oxide Pottery in Lynchburg VA. He has been a full time potter and instructor for 10 years. His work is carried in galleries and museum shops across the United States, most notably: Museum of Art and Design NY, Baltimore Museum of Art, American Folk Art Museum, Boston Museum of Fine Art and American Visionary Art Museum. Justin’s current work at the Academy focuses on developing the tactile clay surface with the use of locally harvested materials in conjunction with the reduction atmosphere of the gas kiln. When not in the studio, you can find Justin exploring the streams, rivers,…

Is there an idea you have in your head, bud don’t quite know how to pull it off?  Receive expert instruction from Kim Clarke or work independently.  Bring your own ideas for projects. Demonstrations will be tailored to reflect each student’s individual needs and goals.  Combined with personalized feedback from the instructor, this class will help you to make remarkable strides in your abilities to express yourself through clay.  For beginners and experienced potters! Tuition includes a 25 lb. bag of clay and glaze and firing costs. Artist Bio: Kim Clarke originally from California has been a teacher and artist for many years. She has an artistic style which is very fun and whimsical. Kim’s art pieces reside in galleries and private collections all over the world including France and Australia. Upon visiting Lynchburg she discovered the Pottery Studio at the Academy center and loved it.  Her passion for clay, mosaics, and pottery brought her to teaching classes and workshops there. She now calls Virginia home.

Intermediate and more advanced students will learn hand building techniques with teacher Anna Ellis. Advanced students will continue to develop independent work supplemented with a demonstration each class. Demonstrations will cover use of under glazes, utilizing different techniques in a single piece, hand building larger, and complex forms. Students will be encouraged to develop a style with personal distinction motifs in order to complete a body of work by the end of the class.  Tuition includes a 25 lb. bag of clay and glaze and firing costs.

For experienced potters looking for studio time but not necessarily instruction. Have access to pottery wheels, tools, glazes and firing and work at your own pace. Must have previous experience in pottery.  Includes a 25 lb. bag of clay with registration.

Acquire glass cutting skills and learn the basics of firing and slumping while creating projects in glass. Possible projects include sun catchers, bowls, vases and many others. Instructor is Suzanne Michaels.  Class is limited to six students!