LEWISBURG (WVDN) – The Carnegie Hall 2023 Spring Class and Workshop Series schedule is full of arts education opportunities for all ages, and if you are interested in clay classes, Carnegie Hall offers all types for all levels.
Kicking off the clay workshops is experienced teaching artist Kelsie Tyson with her class, “Feel for the Wheel,” followed by a ceramic earrings and pendants class on Feb. 4. All classes take place in Carnegie Hall’s Pottery Studio.
“Feel for the Wheel” is a one-day, family-fun class that teaches students the basics of throwing on the potter’s wheel. During this class, participants will make two-to-five pieces, picking their best to be fired. Students will also have their choice of single glaze options for their pot. Saturday class dates to choose from are Feb. 4, March 18 and 25, April 15 and 29 and May 13 and 27. Class time is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Students must be at least 6 years of age or older, and class size is limited.
Also beginning on Feb. 4 is Tyson’s ceramic earrings and pendants family-fun class. This workshop from 1:30-3 p.m. is an afternoon of fun for the entire family as students learn basic hand-building and glazing techniques to make custom earrings and pendants from clay. Projects will be fired by Carnegie Hall and available for pick up later. Students must be at least 12 years of age or older, and class size is limited. The class will also be offered on March 25.
Another family-fun class led by Tyson is hand building a ceramic serving tray. Classes are Saturdays, March 18 and May 20, from 1:30-3 p.m. Students will learn basic hand-building and underglaze transfer techniques to make custom plates or serving trays from clay. Projects will be fired by Carnegie Hall and available for pick up later. Students must be at least 12 years of age or older, and class size is limited.
Tyson’s popular five-week series, “Scratch the Surface: Sgraffito Club,” is back starting Monday, Feb. 20. Sgraffito is a ceramic surface design technique involving scratching through a decorative layer of slip or underglaze to reveal the underlying clay body. Sgraffito Club invites students to learn traditional and contemporary sgraffito techniques in a five-week course.
Students will start the course mimicking surfaces and eventually develop their own imagery to create a three-piece matching set of wares. Section 1 takes place on Mondays, February 20, 27, March 6, 13 and 20, from 6-8 p.m. Section 2 takes place Mondays, April 17, 24, May 1, 8 and 15, from 6-8 p.m. Students must be at least 16 years of age or older, and class size is limited. All students 50 years of age and older qualify for an automatic scholarship and pay a discounted rate.
Tyson’s final spring 2023 class is “Seize the Clay,” is a six-week series that invites student to learn basic hand-building and popular surface design techniques utilized throughout the clay community. By the end of the workshop, students will complete four projects and have finished a three-piece, hand-built pottery set. No experience necessary. Class dates are Wednesdays, April 19, 26, May 3, 10, 17 and 24, from 6-8 p.m. All students 50 years of age and older qualify for an automatic scholarship and pay a discounted rate for this class series as well.
Tyson is an artist currently residing in Lewisburg. She recently received her MFA in ceramics and glass from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia. She uses photography, fiber, ceramics and large installations to pursue a visual exploration of body image, sexuality and the intersections between them. Her goal for her art is to help other West Virginians to appreciate their own bodies. Her artworks are personal, open and fearless.
