JDCAC Ceramics Studio
Who We Are
The Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center (JDCAC) Ceramics studio is a creative space with many artistic and educational opportunities for the community. The studio offers a wide variety of ceramic classes for the absolute beginner as well as experienced potters. The JDCAC Ceramics Studio is the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself or your children to the creative possibilities of clay!
Independent studio memberships are also available pending approval from the studio coordinator or by taking two full eight week courses. Our studio is equipped with professional pottery throwing wheels, a stainless steel extruder, a slab roller, multiple hand mixed glazes, commercial-grade firing kilns, and pug mills. Our studio space serves the artistic needs of the community, providing residents with the creativity, inspiration, and encouragement to create ceramic works. The studio is designed so that individuals may work in a relaxed environment where ingenuity soars.
Classes
Our instructors offer a selection of top-notch classes that range in skill level and age. Below is a list of ceramics classes coming this summer! Please view the Parks and Recreation program brochure for more detailed information on the many classes Parks and Recreation offers.
CERAMICS INDEPENDENT STUDIO FOR ADULTS
Individuals who have had experience in ceramics and pottery and meet the Independent Studio membership requirements may work in the studio independently during center hours once obtaining approval from studio director and registering. The Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center is located at 222 E. Drake Ave. Enjoy working in out studio which offers opportunities to hand-build ceramics and throw on our potter's wheels. A selection of clay will be available for purchase with glaze and firing fees calculated into the cost. Clay is $40/box and must be purchase through MyRec. All Independent Studio memberships will be required to sign into the studio each day, assist in keeping the studio clean, and adhere to the policies stated in the member contract. Studio hours are subject to change based on the schedule of classes offered by the studio. $80 per quarter.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18+ | MTWRF | 6/1 - 8/31 | 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. | JDCAC |
Contact: Emillie Dombrowski • (334)501-2944 • [email protected]
FIN AND FEATHER: CLAY BY THE BOOK - CLAY HANDUILDING FOR YOUNG ONES
By combining two things that delight young children - picture books and working in clay - this class is sure to please your young literary artist. We will read an engaging picture book, and then use clay hand-building techniques to create a related clay project. The book-clay pairing include "Owl Babies" with a Textured Baby Own, and "Hooray for Fish" with a Fish Dish. Materials fee coves clay, glazes, and kiln firings. Please register only if your child can attend all scheduled classes as make-up classes cannot be arranged. $75 Class Fee + $15 Materials Fee.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Dates(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-6 | M | 6/10 - 6/24 | 9 - 10:30 a.m. | JDCAC |
Contact: Amy Kaiser • (334) 821 - 0916 • [email protected]
LEARNING TO MAKE POTTERY ON THE WHEEL FOR YOUTH
Make your world turn 'round and 'round as you learn the basics of making pottery on a wheel. We will work on the basics of throwing (what potters call working on the potter's wheel) beginning with centering the clay. From there we will pull cylinders and learn to make bowls. Throughout the class you will make discoveries about the fascinating process of turning wet clay into useful, functional pieces. While is may look like magic, there are specific techniques for working on the wheel that you will learn and practice to successfully create your functional clay pieces. We will glaze our fired pieces on the last day of class. Finished work will be ready to pick up within two weeks of the end of class. Materials fee covers clay, firings, and glazes. Please register only if you plan to attend all scheduled classes, as make-up classes cannot be arranged. (There is no class on Tuesday, June 25) $120 Class Fee + $30 Materials Fee.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-17 | TR | 6/4 - 6/27 | 9 -10:30 a.m. | JDCAC |
Contact: Amy Kaiser • (334) 821 - 0916 • [email protected]
SUMMER CERAMICS CAMP
Join us for an exciting youth ceramics mini-camp from June 1st – June 3rd where creativity knows no bounds! From 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. each day, young artists will embark on a hands-on journey through the world of pottery. Our skilled instructors will guide them through the basics of ceramics fostering a fun and supportive environment. Students will finish three completed projects that will be ready for pick-up on Friday, July 26th. $100 Class Fee + $20 Materials Fee.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-16 | MTW | 7/1 - 7/3 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | JDCAC |
Contact: Emillie Dombrowksi • (334) 501-2944 • [email protected]
HAND-BUILDING PUMPKINS AND AUTUMN THEMED POTTERY
Create your own pumpkin patch from the basic design of these hand-built pumpkins. Once you learn the basic technique you can personalize with names, add faces by carving or painting or make enough elegant white pumpkins for a tamblescape! It's up to you! We will also press leaves into clay slabs for Autumn texture and make serving and decorative pieces. You are only limited to your imagination! $150 Class Fee + $35 Materials Fee.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18+ | W | 6/12 - 7/13 | 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | JDCAC |
Contact: Jacqueline McDonough • [email protected] • 770-715-1740
FOUNDATIONS IN WHEELTHROWN POTTERY
Whether it’s your first time around or you’re dusting off old skills, this course will provide a fun, supportive atmosphere in which to explore fundamental techniques for throwing vessels on the wheel. Learn to create table ready bowls and cups, exploring different shapes as confidence grows! Other skills that may be explored as students progress are platemaking, trimming recessed feet and attaching handles. Throughout the course, you will also have access to the JDCAC's Ceramics Studio to practice on a wheel during open studio hours. (Please note there is a break on 8/20 to accommodate the firing schedule before our final glazing session.) Kindly confirm that you can attend all seven class sessions before enrolling. $125 Class Fee + $35 Materials Fee.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18+ | T | 7/9 - 8/27 (off 8/20) | 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. | JDCAC |
Contact: Annika Lee • (334-663-1749) • [email protected]
BEGINNER CERAMICS I
Are you interested in throwing pottery on the wheel? Come join me as we learn the basics of wheel throwing! In this beginner class, you will learn the fundamentals of pottery such as centering, coning, opening and pulling walls. With a focus on techniques, we will explore different forms such as bowls and cylinders. Throughout the class, you will have access to the studio to practice what you have learned. Our last class will give you the opportunity to glaze and take home your work to show off to friends and family. $120 Class Fee + $40 Materials Fee.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18+ | W | 6/5 - 7/17 | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. | JDCAC |
| 18+ | R | 6/6 - 7/25 | 9:20 - 11:30 a.m. | JDCAC |
Contact: Hayley Williams • 251-459-5455 • [email protected]
BEGINNER CERAMICS II
Now that you've got the basics of wheel throwing, what's next? Take this class to explore further wheel throwing techniques like trimming, adding handles, making lids, and larger amounts of clay! Instruction is based on the skill level of participants in each class, which will cause the skills taught to vary from class to class. $120 Class Fee + $40 Materials Fee.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18+ | W | 7/24 - 8/28 | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. | JDCAC |
Contact: Hayley Williams • 251-459-5455 • [email protected]
THROWING THE PERFECT BOWL
This class will focus on throwing, shaping, altering and perfecting the bowl form. This class is not geared towards beginners. Students taking this class should be able to consistently center on the potter's wheel. $65 Class Fee + $20 Materials Fee.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18+ | W | 7/10 - 7/31 | 6 - 9 p.m. | JDCAC |
Contact: Jenny Mulligan • (540) 797-0775 • [email protected]
IMAGE TRANSFER TO CLAY – WORKSHOP!
Maria will lead this two-day hands-on exploration of the process of integrating ceramic and image transfer techniques to create unique decorative pieces. This class is for beginners and more advanced students who are willing to explore different surface designs for their ceramic pieces. Participants will experience a new way of combining form and surface while exploring the transferring method. participants will learn about editing images and developing an image transfer. Maria will also explain the pitfalls that can be avoided during this way of working. Participants will work first with tiles and then advance volumetric forms. Maria will walk the group through this process while encouraging personal creative exploration. The class will emerge from this workshop with an entirely new way of looking at pots relating to form and surface design. Clay, glazes, and kiln firing costs are included in the material fee. Come and have fun! $110 Class Fee + $30 Materials Fee.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15+ | M | 7/29 - 8/5 | 5 - 7 p.m. | JDCAC |
Contact: Maria Auad • (334) 663-8292 • [email protected]
PRIVATE AND SEMI-PRIVATE CERAMIC LESSONS
Private instruction for one on one, or semi-private lessons for a small group of participants. These lessons are geared towards individuals wanting to learn and create assorted items with clay. Learn wheel throwing or hand-building, along with glazing and decorating techniques! To be eligible for ceramic private lessons, please register. Once we have your contact information, we, will gather more information about dates and times. You will then be invoiced, through the MyRec website. No experience necessary. $25, + $15 Materials Fee (per person) per two hour session.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7+ | By Request | 6/3 - 8/31 | By Request | JDCAC |
Contact: Romona Brisco • (334) 703-6140 • [email protected]
RELIEF SCULPTING – ANIMALS
What a wonderful relief! Let's venture something new together. We will sculpt at leased one animal relief in this class. We will add any other details as time permits. Come and enjoy! No experience or expectations of results are required! $100 Class Fee + $20 Materials Fee.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16+ | R | 6/6 - 6/27 | 5:30 - 7:30 pm | JDCAC |
Contact: Romona Brisco • (334) 703-6140 • [email protected]
CERAMIC HAND-BUILT BASKET – WORKSHOP!
This workshop, designed for beginner, intermediate and advanced students will focus on hand-building a ceramic basket. Day one of the workshop will cover building the piece from the ground up. Templates and step by step hands-on instruction will be provided. Day two will cover cleaning your piece, adding decorative details and learning about the current trends of carving and fluting. Students will pick a glaze from one of our hundreds of color options. Pieced can be picked up Friday, August 30th. Refreshments and snacks will be provided on night one and two of the workshop. $35 Class Fee + $15 Materials Fee.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16+ | WR | 8/14 - 8/15 | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. | JDCAC |
Contact: Emillie Dombrowksi • (334) 501-2944 • [email protected]
READY, SET, LET’S ANIME IN CLAY!
Come join me as we create you fav anime characters in clay! We will be sculpting these characters using a clay body of choice. These clay figures can be sculpted by teenagers or adults. No experience of realism nedessary. $110 Class Fee + $20 Materials Fee.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14+ | T | 7/16 - 8/13 | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. | JDCAC |
Contact: Romona Brisco • (334) 703-6140 • edombrowski@auburnalabama
SCULPTING - SUMMER HEAD PLANTER
Come and have fun sculpting a head planter out of clay! This head planter will include making a partial human head adding facial features as time permits. Whimsical or funny, serious or playful, this head planter will be yours to enjoy functioning as an indoor/outdoor planter. No experience necessary. No realism or hyper-realism expected. $110 Class Fee + $30 Materials Fee.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18+ | SA | 6/1 - 6/29 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | JDCAC |
Contact: Romona Brisco • (334) 703-6140 • [email protected]
Upcoming Events
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday 9, a.m. - 2 p.m.
Please note that after the quarter has begun, hours may change. An updated calendar will be available upon request after the start of the quarter.
Independent Studio
Individuals who have had experience in ceramics and meet the Independent Studio membership requirements may work in the studio independently during center hours once obtaining approval from studio director and registering.
The Ceramics Studio is located inside the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center at 222 E. Drake Ave. Enjoy working in our studio, which offers opportunities to hand-build ceramics and throw on our potter's wheels.
A selection of clay will be available to purchase with glaze and firing fees calculated into the cost. Clay is $40/box and must be bought through MyRec. All Independent Studio members will be required to sign into the studio each day, aid in keeping the studio clean, and adhere to the policies stated in the member contract. Studio hours are subject to change based on the schedule of classes offered by the studio. Price is $80 per quarter.
To purchase a ceramic transfer please visit the studio prior to purchasing to see a current list of designs available.
Any person interested interested in becoming an independent studio member must meet one of the following three criteria:
- Taken a minimum of two classes at the Jan Dempsey Ceramics Studio within the past two calendar years. Only classes that are 7 weeks or longer count towards independent membership.
- Completed 16 hours of private lessons with a studio instructor.
- Have comparable professional experience or completed a ceramics degree in the last five years.
If the above requirements are met, an interview and studio tour can be scheduled with the studio director to decide independent membership status. Once given permission by the studio director, members can register for independent membership. Members who need assistance registering can visit the Harris Center at 425 Perry St. in Auburn. Examples of work and experience must be presented.
For more information about the Ceramics Studio or the City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Department, please contact Emillie Dombrowski, Art Education Specialist, at [email protected] or by calling 334-501-2944