Pottery Classes
Once again things have changed for the better for the pottery lovers of Amelia Island. We have opened a new studio to resume teaching clay classes. Chris Jones and Jim Tipton have joined studios to bring this area more pottery classes and new energy. We have some exciting things worked up for the not too distant future. Chris will resume wheel throwing classes for both beginner and intermediate students. Jim will be teaching hand-building techniques and guiding students through their projects.
In order to better serve our students, we are now requiring all students who are new to clay, to take a hand-building class first. This new policy is intended to give each person a better experience. New members will learn the basics about studio life, and the basic forming skills needed in all areas of clay work. The classes will guide students from formation of projects, through to the end where they will glaze and have fired their masterpieces.
Current wheel throwing classes and times as of August 15th, 2009.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
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Intermediate Wheel
10am-12pm |
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Beginning Wheel 3-5pm |
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Beginning Wheel 7-9pm |
The studio is located in the Pelican Palms Center at 821 S. 8th Street near downtown Fernandina.
(904) 583-1948
Click on the map to go to Expedia Maps for driving directions from your location.
The classes are kept fairly small (4-6) in the interest of giving the students plenty of room to work and more personal instruction. Various methods of construction will be shown such as pinch pots, coil and slab building. Wheel throwing is also be offered with an emphasis on making good quality pottery. The only limit is your imagination. We offer classes to beginner and intermediate students who want to explore working with clay.
Clay classes run 2 hours each scheduled day. You can come once or go for a 6 week session. Single sessions are $35 and you must check for available space. Six week sessions can be reserved for $175 and include 25 pounds of clay and up to 2000 cubic inches of firing in one of our electric kilns. A six week session also includes 6 hours of open studio time for practice and any other work you would like to do.
We are now offering studio time for those who want to come in and work on their own. Packages start at $100 per month for 10 hours and includes a dedicated storage area for your works in progress as well as discounted firing costs. Call for details.
The Studio
Pictures coming very soon!!!
In the Studio
Clay policy: In the interest of saving our kilns and your work, only clay purchased at the studio or Atlantic Pottery Supply (Highwater Clay and Standard Ceramics Clay) is allowed in the studio. Past experience has shown that this simple rule eliminates meltdowns and kiln disasters which saves your work and the works of others (as well as the kilns). A wide variety of clay is available from APS and we will stock a limited supply of our most popular clays.
Firing Policy: As of January 2009, we are going to sell additional 25# bags of clay for $25. That price includes firing and shop glazes for currently enrolled students. No unknown clay work will ever be fired in our kilns.........no exceptions.
Glazes: A variety of "shop" cone 5-6 glazes will be available for students to use and are included in the firing price. Commercial glazes may be purchased and used as long as they are in the original container with firing temperatures clearly listed. A test piece/tile is highly recommended before use.
*** Coming Soon***
We will be selling a limited amount of low-fire glazes in the studio.What you need for Class: Students should bring a medium sized plastic bucket or bowl for water, some basic pottery tools, and your imagination. Basic tool kits can be purchased at the studio, online, or make them yourself. It is suggested that you also bring an old towel, and wear old clothing......you will likely get muddy.
We currently have a variety of electric pottery wheels to use. Generally there are 6 available for classes. The wheels include...
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2 durable Shimpo RK-10s |
Pacifica GT-400 (2) |
Thomas Stuart Prodigy wheel (2) |
Bailey Pro 50-R |
Brent Model C |
There is be plenty of storage space for works in progress. Clay can generally be left here, but tools and personal items must be taken home for safe keeping.
We are using a Skutt KM 1027 electric kiln in the studio. Most student work will be fired to cone six (stoneware temp.) in this kiln. Hand-built and sculptural work will likely be fired to cone 06 (low fire temp.) We have 2 more kilns we plan to eventually add to the line up as well as a raku kiln that we will use when we have Raku workshops.