Independent access for current and former students of the Greenbelt Community Center ceramic programs. Clay purchased separately. Includes use of a studio shelf or cubby. Participants must have completed at least two ceramics classes with Greenbelt Recreation. Participants should be capable of working without instructor assistance and must be aware of and adhere to all studio rules and guidelines. Studio guidelines will be distributed to all participants by email and will be available in print in the studios. Those who are new to this studio should please enroll in a class.

Intermediate and advanced potters: experience the ancient roots and the scientific heights of pottery by firing a wood-fueled kiln. This is an intense, hands-on process requiring physical labor and cooperation among participants. The end results are lively, fully-functional pots with an organic element. Instruction on how to prepare and glaze pots and sculptures for a wood kiln will be provided through a series of meetings scheduled during the summer and videos. Students must attend the three scheduled meetings prior to the firing, an introductory meeting, check-in and glazing instruction. Students will be expected to attend all three days at of the firing. Open Studio is not included. Includes 35 lbs Phoenix clay and woodfire glazes. Students who want to use a different clay body should discuss with the instructor before they create wares.

Introductory meeting: Sa 6/22 1:00pm-2:00pm, 304
Check in: Sa 8/3 1:00pm-2:00pm, 304
Glazing: 8/17, 1:00pm-3:00pm, glaze room and 305
Loading: 9/20 Clayworks
Firing: 9/21, 9/22 Clayworks
Unloading: 9/26 Clayworks

Fall into creativity in the ceramic studio with clay fun! Make pottery you can use and fun sculptures in this class. Learn and improve upon hand-building and glazing skills. All materials provided.

Discover the creative possibilities of the potter’s wheel! Learn and improve your technical skills while creating functional and decorative pottery. Also learn a variety of fun surface decoration techniques to give your pots personality.

Learn various techniques to form, decorate, and glaze tiles. Create stand-alone pieces or several tiles that form a larger design. Learn the secrets to keeping tiles flat and crack free and ways to hang/mount them. Suitable for all levels, especially those with some ceramics experience. Clay purchased separately. Includes Ceramics Open Studio and use of a shelf or cubby.

Use your ceramic test pieces and rejects to create something new. This two-meeting workshop teaches you how to design and execute mixed-media mosaics using ceramics, stone, glass, shells, and other found objects. Students will create 18 x 24-inch abstract or representational mosaics on a lightweight substrate, using a fine cement called thinset, in either gray or white, as an adhesive. Students are encouraged to bring their own ceramics, etc., but a variety of materials will also be provided. The registration deadline for this workshop is September 30.

Learn to print photographs or other images on clay using a lithographic technique. Students should email their photos to the instructor by November 9. Students should provide their own clay and an apron. We will print on fresh slabs that we make during the workshop and then create forms from them. This workshop does not include Ceramic Open Studio.

Ceramics Open Studio is included in select teen/adult classes as noted (no separate registration required). Ceramics patrons who have completed at least two ceramics classes with Greenbelt Recreation (8 weeks or longer) are eligible to register for Open Studio as a stand-alone option. Participants who are new to this studio should please enroll in a class.

With roots in centuries-old Japan, Raku is a method of fast-firing ceramic art outdoors with beautiful and surprising results. Firing will take place at Schrom Hills Park. Each participant will be able to fire approximately five medium pieces or an equivalent amount. Clay purchased separately. Students must be enrolled in Open Studio or a ceramics class that includes access to Open Studio in order to participate. Students are required to attend the introductory meeting and glazing instructional session unless they receive permission from the instructor. Failure to attend either meeting without communicating with the instructor may result in cancellation of enrollment with no refund. Students may attend the introductory meeting prior to registering. Registration will close on Monday, April 8. Introductory meeting: Saturday, September 14, 1-2pm Glazing instruction: Saturday, September 28, 1-3pm

Students will learn the techniques to make cups, bowls, plates, and other useful objects by using only their hands and hand tools. They will learn three-dimensional forming processes, how to join pieces of clay together to build a structure, and various methods of decorating functional pieces. Beginners and all levels welcome. Clay purchased separately. Includes Ceramics Open Studio and use of a shelf or cubby.

Expand your hand-building horizons with paper clay. Learn how to make and use this remarkable and flexible material. Explore new techniques and possibilities beyond regular clay (you won’t want to go back). Discover paper clay’s unique qualities and the many ways it can be used. Experience the workability and expressive freedom it allows from wet to dry. Come prepared to mix and make your paper clay from scratch (bring your apron!). Some hand-building experience is preferred but not required.

This class is for students with hand-building experience. Students should know basic clay joinery. Explore the creation of expressive forms in clay, whether representational or abstract. Emphasis on hand-building techniques. Includes an introduction to methods for building larger and more complex forms. Students may purchase clay from the studio, Soldate 60 recommended. Includes Ceramics Open Studio and use of a shelf or cubby.

Learn basic skills on the potter's wheel, as well as how to decorate and glaze your work. This class is intended for first-time throwers and those with very limited experience. Group instruction is combined with individual support. All levels welcome. Ceramics Open Studio included. Clay purchased separately. Use of a personal shelf is not guaranteed.