Private Lessons

Build complexity and richness to your work with cold wax and oils. In this workshop we will explore how to use wax and other mediums to build up translucence and texture in your oil paintings.

The strongest love is the love that can demonstrate its fragility.
― Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes

Loving Kindness Practices increase positive emotions, strengthen health, and enhance the quality of our lives. Moreover, these practices help us to navigate relationships with greater tolerance and appreciation for those we love. These same practices can help us to forge a connection with the artists who help us to envision our worlds in new ways and with the images they create. In this session, we will practice open-heartedness and apply this open-heartedness to our experiences of the artwork. Take homes will include brief skills for bringing an open heart to our daily interactions with others.

August - Totems - In this class we will use the slab machine and/or the potter’s wheel to make various shapes that will be stacked together on a metal pole/rebar for either garden art or inside your home.  Students will need to source their own rebar and mounting base/block before class and have it ready on the first day of class.   Various hand building techniques will be demonstrated as well as student created templates and studio forms used to construct shapes.  Students need to bring resource materials for inspiration such as pictures, sketches, etc

Class Meets:

August 6^th, 8^th, 13^th, 15^th, 20^th, and 22^nd

Dive into the world of ceramic surface with this ceramic glaze workshop led by acclaimed ceramic sculptors Thaddeus Erdahl and Beau Raymond. Join this unique experience where creativity meets technique as you explore the magic of glaze, slips, underglazes and the art of layering. Uncover the secrets behind captivating surfaces, intricate patterns, and vibrant colors. Whether you're a seasoned ceramicist or a novice, this workshop promises to elevate your skills and inspire a new level of artistic expression. Surface shouldn’t be an afterthought.  Let’s make it the star of the show!  It’s about layering, carving, sanding and revealing the magic within. In this workshop, we’ll reveal everything you need to know and introduce you to some trade secrets.

In this workshop, we will bring cone 10 bisque ware to decorate, glaze, and load to fire the Bascom's soda kiln, plus we'll make pots too. Soda fired pots tend to be dramatic and brilliant; this workshop is a rare opportunity to experience and learn more about it. We'll cover practical and aesthetic aspects of soda firing including slip and glaze application, prep for and how to load and fire the kiln. During heating up and cooling the kiln, we will explore ways to make more dynamic pots. Working with freshly thrown clay, we'll alter surfaces and forms; squaring, ovaling, fluting, faceting, and improving foundational throwing techniques will be on offer. In learning to fully utilize the effects of flames carrying sodium through a kiln, we'll look at placement in the kiln as well as form and surface treatments, including slips and glazes, that are particularly responsive to the effects of soda firing. Experience throwing on the potters wheel is needed for this class. We’ll engage in lively conversations ranging over our interests, passions, technical questions, developing a personal aesthetic, raw glazing, single firing, firing.

Learn how to use cut flowers and foraged greens to create a large, lush arrangement in a keepsake footed urn.  All supplies included.

September Halloween Pumpkins – Learn a variety of techniques for making clay pumpkins.  We will make pumpkins the first week of class and glaze the 2^nd week. 

Class Meets:

September 10^th, 12^th, 17^th, and 19^th

Step into a world where creativity knows no bounds and imagination reigns supreme! Join us for an electrifying encaustic workshop where vibrant colors dance on the boards and innovation takes flight. Whether you're an experienced artist or just starting your creative journey, everyone is welcome in our inclusive and supportive environment. Discover the mesmerizing art of encaustic painting (the oldest form of painting with melted wax).Get ready to immerse yourself in a whirlwind of fun, laughter, and endless inspiration. Come ignite your passion for art and let your imagination soar!

October Wheel Throwing - Using the potter’s wheel to make functional objects can be a very rewarding experience.  This class will cover the basics of working on the potter’s wheel.  If you have never tried this before, please expect some difficulty in the initial stages.  The focus will be to learn centering and then to pull shapes such as bowls (ex. berry bowls, soup bowls, colander, cereal bowls, etc) and cylinders (ex. Mugs, tumblers, sippers – based on the learning curve).  The second week of class will be trimming and practicing more shapes.  Glazing will take place the final week.  Some experience may be necessary. 

Class Meets:

October 15^th, 17^th, 22^nd, 24^th, 29^th, and 31^st

Demonstration and technical instruction related to various clay hand-building techniques will be provided as you create your own animal sculptures.  We will discuss gesture and features that breathe life into the work, experiment with using found objects and discuss surface treatments and finishing techniques.  Emphasis will be on creating narrative and personal expression in your individual pieces.