Do you have some experience throwing pottery, but want to ratchet up your skill set – centering more efficiently, working larger, or mastering new shapes? Join Joe in Shake Rag Alley's Sardeson Pottery Studio to refine and expand your throwing techniques during this highly personalized process-oriented workshop. Along with working on the wheel, we will spend the weekend exploring spouts, lids and handles, and looking at examples of outstanding ancient and contemporary pots. Clay is provided.
 
Location: Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Instructor: Joe Cole
Cost: $290
Sponsor: Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts
Website, email, (608) 987-3292

Learn the essentials of working with clay! Start from the very beginning in this series of six sessions. You’ll progress through a wide variety of processes, from making pinch pots through coil techniques, and finish up with throwing experience on the potter’s wheel. The nature of various clay bodies will be addressed in addition to a discussion of the chemistry of glazes. Materials fee includes clay, use of tools, glazes and firings. Plan to go home with a number of fun, finished, and functional items!
 
Location: Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Instructor: Joelle White and Katie White
Cost: $185
Sponsor: Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts
Website, email, (608) 987-3292

Join Jennifer Mally for a two-day workshop exploring techniques to create two different ceramic animal sculptures. The first day we will explore how to make a realistic animal sculpture by building an armature and accurately forming an animal from its bone and muscle structure. The second day we play with abstraction by cutting out representational animal shapes from plywood. We will slump-form a left and a right side of an animal and put the sides together to create a free-standing 3-D animal that can be altered and embellished. Included in the class are 25 lbs. of high-fire stoneware clay for each student along with all tools and materials. Jennifer will offer demos and bring handouts and reference books.
 
Location: Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Instructor: Jennifer Mally
Cost: $245
Sponsor: Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts
Website, email, (608) 987-3292

This class is available to both beginning students and those with some experience. Beginning students will be guided through the creating of one or two pieces of pottery, which will be textured and glazed in the subsequent workshops. Students with prior experience will work with the instructor towards their goal. Price includes all materials!
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Barb Snow
Cost: $215 for Members, $235 for Non-members
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Brian Booth Craig (brianboothcraig.com) is a contemporary sculptor who specializes in bronze. Sculpting from life, his work translates classically derived figures into contemporary icons. This workshop will cover the traditional technique of sculpting a portrait from life. Students will model a ~3/4 life-size portrait in clay working from the model. Emphasis is placed on direct observation, basic anatomy, proportions of the individual, and the use of light to reveal clear form and structure. Brian’s teaching methods include lectures, presentations, discussions, and demonstrations.
 
Location: Oakland, California
Instructor: Brian Booth Craig (brianboothcraig.com)
Cost: $675
Sponsor: Dogtown Sculptors
Website, email

Want to practice your pottery skills and/or work on your own projects? The Sardeson Pottery Studio is available to anyone who would like to use our space and equipment. The $50 day fee includes access to the wheels, tools and handbuilding gear. Joelle and Katie White will be on hand to give assistance if needed, but you will primarily be working independently. Clay can be purchased at the studio. Firing and glazing may be done by arrangement. Call the Shake Rag Alley office at (608) 987-3292 to make arrangements.
 
Location: Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Instructor: Joelle White and Katie White
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts
Website, email, (608) 987-3292