New Policy

The City of East Lansing will be instating some new policies that will hopefully once again make the Ceramics studio a fun, clean and enjoyable place to be.

At the beginning of the next session, beginning with the Holiday Ceramics class on November 21, instructors will distribute a Ceramics Studio Handbook to every student. Students will be asked to sign a form indicating that they have read and agree to abide by the guidelines in the handbook. Students who have to be asked repeatedly to follow the rules will be asked to leave class or open studio that night. Students will not be refunded for that class time.

I really hate that it's come to this, but it will address the three biggest concerns right now:

Cleanliness.
There are currently only 20 students enrolled in the program. We've worked with as many as double that number. The studio has been a complete mess lately. Everyone needs to work a little harder to leave the studio cleaner than they found it. This includes tools, the sink, counters, tables, wheels and especially BATS.

Community.
Our ceramics studio is a shared community space. That means it belongs to everyone who is enrolled in the program, and that means sharing and respect for other students.

Common Sense.
I know this seems basic, but please don't touch things that aren't yours. We've had some pots broken lately and it could have been avoided. Don't touch pots that are on the "To Be Bisqued" shelf in the kiln room. If you need to make room for your greenware on the shelf, please tell your instructor instead of moving pots yourself. If you want to know who made a certain pot, please wait until it has been bisqued and is no longer fragile to touch.

I'm open to comments and suggestions.
I hope the handbook will help.

Holiday Ceramics with Malia

The Holiday Ceramics class will begin on Monday, November 21, at 6pm.

The class runs for four weeks (11/21, 11/28, 12/5, 12/12)on Mondays from 6pm to 9pm.

Students will have an opportunity to make holiday presents or continue working on other projects.

This class is perfect for everyone... from the most beginner student who wants to explore clay for the first time to the advanced student who wants to learn new techniques.

Sign up by calling 517.333.2580!

Kilns & Misc. Announcements

I think we're mostly caught up on the backlog of bisque and glaze that had been hanging around waiting for me to fix the elements in the big kiln.

Glaze was unloaded Wednesday and most of it looks great! There were a couple of pots that ran and bubbled a little, and I think that's mostly due to the fact that we're not quite used to the big kiln firing properly! It's been a long time since it's had maintenance.

There are a few greenware pieces accumulating again, which we'll bisque as soon as they'll fill a kiln.

While I'm on the topic of greenware, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not pick up anything that isn't yours. If you're just dying to know who made something, wait until it's bisqued!!!

This past Monday, a really nice bowl with very thin walls was picked up by the rim and broken. So again, don't pick stuff up if it isn't yours. If you have to pick something up to move it out of the way, pick it up by the bottom, with two hands, and cradle it carefully. Greenware is very very fragile!

City of East Lansing Ceramics Program

Welcome to the new site for the Ceramics program at the City of East Lansing!

Classes are held at the Bailey School at
300 Bailey Street in East Lansing.

To sign up for classes, visit the City of East Lansing page HERE.

CURRENT CLASS LISTING
Monday, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Ceramics with Malia
All skill levels. A variety of creative handbuilding and wheel throwing techniques will be explored. Students may concentrate on one technique or use all techniques to create their projects. Students will have the opportunity to explore different surface decorations, glazing and firing techniques.
September 12 - November 14
East Lansing Resident: $133 Non-Resident: $137 Supply Fee: $37.50

Tuesday, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Intermediate/Advanced Wheel Throwing
A more in-depth exploration of wheel throwing techniques. Lidded pieces, combination forms, large thrown pieces, and a variety of other more complex forms will be focused on. Successfully accomplished forms in clay are achieved with slips, stains, and glazes.
September 20 - December 6
East Lansing Resident: $159 Non-Resident: $163 Supply Fee: $45

Wednesday, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Wheel Throwing
All skill levels. A variety of wheel throwing techniques will be explored. Students may concentrate on one technique or use all techniques to create their projects. Students will have the opportunity to explore different surface decorations, glazing and firing techniques.
The first session of this class (Sept. 21-Oct. 26) was cancelled, due to lack of participation! Come sign up and get your friends, family, whomever to sign up with you!
November 9 - December 14
East Lansing Resident: $80 Non-Resident: $84 Supply Fee: $22.50

Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Beginning Wheel Throwing
All skill levels. Learning will focus on the relationship between the ceramic form and surface. We will begin with centering and throwing the cylinder then progress to more complex forms and techniques. Successfully accomplished forms in clay are achieved with slips, stains and glazes.
September 22 - December 15
East Lansing Resident: $159 Non-Resident: $163 Supply Fee: $45

Friday, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Open Studio
Open studio time is available to all students who are currently registered for a class. Sorry, no drop-in studio time or students who are not currently enrolled.