In this 8-week handbuilding course, students will learn the techniques behind building large-scale ceramic sculpture while exploring the rich history of figurative work in clay. Through a combination of demonstrations, guided projects, artist discussions, and individual feedback, students will learn foundational handbuilding techniques while developing their own visual language and approach to sculptural form.
The course will cover pinch, coil, and slab construction, slipping and scoring, clay compression, surface development, armatures and structural support, facial construction, texture, underglaze, glaze, and finishing techniques. Along the way, we'll examine how historical and contemporary artists have approached portraiture, identity, storytelling, and vessel forms through clay.
Artists discussed throughout the course may include Elizabeth Catlett, Raven Halfmoon, Yaritza Flores Bustos, Simone Leigh, Akinsanya Kambon, and others.
This class is open to beginners as well as students with previous clay experience. Whether you're interested in sculpture, ceramics, portraiture, or expanding your handbuilding practice, you'll leave the course with a deeper understanding of clay as a sculptural medium and a finished bust or head vessel that reflects your own ideas, influences, and creative process.
Students enrolled in this course receive 4 hours of independent studio time per week during designated Student Open Studio hours, allowing additional time to work on projects outside of class.
The price includes 25 lbs of clay and fair use of our 15 in-house studio glazes. Firing fees are not included and are charged at $0.02 per cubic inch per firing (bisque and glaze firings are charged separately).
Personal tools are not included; students are welcome to bring their own or purchase tools from the studio.
This course is offered with a tiered pricing model to support accessibility while sustaining the studio and instructor.
We ask that students select the tier that best reflects their current financial capacity.
Tiered Pricing
Supported Tier — $320
For students who need financial flexibility.
Use code SUPPORTED70 at checkout.
Standard Tier — $390
Regular enrollment.
Community Supporter — $460
For those who are able to contribute more and help support lower-cost spots.
To enroll at this tier, add the “Community Support Contribution” at checkout.
Instructor for this class is Kylin Snowden.
This 8 week course meets every week on the same day and time (Sundays @ 6:00-8:30PM).