Learn how to build mugs with a twist of whimsy!

Add a twist of whimsy to each one-of-a kind mug in this class. Start by learning how to build a mug with slabs, followed by demos on how to make your mug come alive - facial features, handles, decoration, color - all in high fire clay. Create a fun companion for morning coffee or afternoon tea.

This class takes place at Groundworks HILL at 1010 Aurora Ave., Boulder, CO

This class meets weekly for 4 weeks on TUESDAYS.

Class does NOT include additional open lab time or clay. All work must be completed during class time. 

Ages: 16+

Will be available to register on Monday, September 22 at 8:00am.

Let’s remix this business! Our Clay and Print studios are teaming up to bring you a brand new 8-week intermediate level crossover class. 

For the first four weeks, you’ll be in our Clay studio, hand-building any sort of functional ware or sculptural pieces your heart desires. The last four weeks, you’ll move into our Print studio to learn various printmaking techniques like linocut, screen printing, and lithography to decorate your hand-built forms. These techniques will allow you to create multiples of the same image, opening up possibilities for making matching sets of mugs, dishes, or other creations.

This class will offer some instruction for hand-building, but not much. As such, we recommend that only folks with previous hand-building experience sign up. Print newbies are encouraged!

This class will be taught by Grace Flaherty (Clay) and Akane Kleinkopf (Print).

Ages: 16+

This class takes place at Groundworks Main at 3750 Canfield St.

This class does NOT include extra open lab time. All work must be completed during class time. 

No class the week of Thanksgiving (Nov. 24 - Nov. 30)

Registration will be available Monday, September 22th at 8:00am

For students that have never touched clay to those still learning the basics.

This class will cover the basic “how tos” of pottery. Students will learn the foundations of throwing, including how to confidently center, pull, and trim pots on the wheel. The class will also cover basic glazing techniques, attaching handles, and how to track your pieces through the studio.

PLEASE NOTE: This class runs for 3.5 hours, which includes 1 hour of work time at the end of each class period. You will not have access to the studio outside of the scheduled class time. You will also not have access to the Groundworks other locations.

Ages: 16 and above

Class meets weekly on WEDNESDAYS

This class is Pay What You Can with a suggested price of $265.

Does NOT include Firing Fees. For details on our Firing Fees, please click here: https://www.groundworksartlab.org/firing-fees

All pieces will be fired to Cone 6 in an oxydation kiln.

No class the week of Thanksgiving (Nov. 24 - Nov. 30)

Will be available to register on Monday, September 22 at 8:00am.

New to glasswork and don’t know where to start? You’re in the right place! Our Glass Studio Sampler class is the perfect place to begin your journey of learning and understanding the material and techniques of making beautiful art with glass.

This class will spend four weeks going over low-fire glassworking techniques like kiln fusing, sheet glass cutting and coldwork (working with unheated glass), and hot glass / hot sculpting (reshaping heated glass with either torches or kilns). The projects will be simple and may vary depending on the material and technique being covered that week.

This class has no prerequisites and is specifically set up for absolute beginners to this art form. Our Glass Studio does have some safety basics before anyone is allowed to join in the fun (failure to meet these requirements will result in not being granted access to the equipment): 

• Please come dressed in close-toe and heel shoes, and natural material clothing, i.e. cotton or linen, long pants are recommended. 
• No loose or dangling jewelry, long earrings or scarves.
• If you have long hair, please have it securely tied back from your face.
• We will provide safety goggles, but if you have your own and would like to bring them, please do!

Ages: 16+ 

All supplies and materials will be provided. 

Will be available to register on Monday, September 22 at 8:00am.

Upcycling is like, so in right now. This intermediate to advanced level metal class will teach students how to identify and prepare found objects/materials to incorporate into small sculptures. Over the course of eight weeks, students will explore a number of practical skills and techniques in our Metal Studio such as forging/blacksmithing, MIG welding and riveting to alter found objects and create new custom parts for their pieces. 

In conjunction, the class will cover the study of asymmetry and balance in design and concept and will investigate adding a kinetic element by making a simple device for adding wind-driven motion into your sculpture.

This class will build on the basics MIG welding, and as such we require students to have some experience with that particular skill/equipment. 

Additionally, our Metal Studio does have some safety basics before anyone is allowed to join in the fun (failure to meet these requirements will result in not being granted access to the equipment): 

• Please come dressed in close-toe and heel shoes, and natural material clothing, i.e. cotton or linen, and long pants. 
• Sparks fly in this studio, so please wear long sleeves and a shirt that covers your whole chest. We recommend long sleeved button down shirts.
• No loose or dangling jewelry, long earrings or scarves.
• If you have long hair, please have it securely tied back from your face.
• We will provide safety goggles and other PPE, but if you have your own and would like to bring them, please do!

Class Policies & Information:

Open Lab: This class includes access to the studio during Open Lab hours. Open Lab is exclusively for students who are currently enrolled in the program. You are allowed to attend one Open Lab session per week, totaling 3 hours during the duration of your class. You may only attend the Open Lab session for the class in which you are registered. This time is intended for independent work on your class project. While studio staff will be present, they are there to ensure you are using the tools safely, not to provide instruction.

Class Make-Up: Our studios are full with adult and youth classes 7 days a week, 48 weeks a year. Typically, every class is full, which means there is simply no space for students to make up classes. If we cancel an entire class due to weather or other emergencies, we can not guarantee we will be able to schedule a make-up class. Individuals who miss a class will not be able to make it up. Please read the Frequently Asked Questions for more information about missed classes.

Studio Clean Up: Clean-up is critical! Please help our hardworking staff and volunteers by beginning clean-up 30 minutes before the end of class, helping out with common areas, and leaving class on time.

Ages: 16+ 

All supplies and materials will be provided. 

Will be available to register on Monday, September 22 at 8:00am.

Woodblock printing has a rich history, particularly in East Asian cultures, where it was used to create both text and images on the same block. Also known as woodcut, woodblock printing is a relief printmaking technique where areas of the wood block that are not meant to be printed are carved away, leaving the image areas raised. 

This 8-week intermediate to advanced level relief print class expands on the basics of relief and will include weekly instruction on techniques including carving, mixing and rolling ink, measuring and tearing paper, using the printing press, and making an edition of prints.

This is a level 2 class, students are recommended to have some level of printmaking experience to participate.

Ages: 16+ 

All supplies and materials will be provided. 

Will be available to register on Monday, September 22 at 8:00am.

Great for students that are brand new to the wheel as well as those that are working to improve their throwing skills!

Students will practice wheel-throwing on the potter's wheel as well as create hand-built pieces using the slab roller and extruder. On the final class, students will learn about glazing their pieces. Classes take place at our MAIN location (3750 Canfield St Boulder, CO)

Ages: 8-11

Class meets weekly on WEDNESDAYS

This class is Pay What You Can with a suggest price of $205

No class the week of Thanksgiving (Nov. 24 - Nov. 30)

Will be available to register on Monday, September 22 at 8:00am.

This class is great for teenagers that are new to the wheel as well as those that are further developing their throwing skills.

Classes will include both hand-building and wheel-throwing, trimming of thrown pots, slip decorating, and glazing of bisqued pieces. These classes are a great chance for students to learn a variety of techniques, ask questions, and play with clay!

Ages: 12-16

Class meets weekly on WEDNESDAYS

This class is Pay What You Can with a suggested price of $240.

No class the week of Thanksgiving (Nov. 24 - Nov. 30)

Will be available to register on Monday, September 22 at 8:00am.