Gas Metal Arc Welding, is the process by which an electric arc forms between a wire electrode and metal, causing fusion. Students will learn MIG wire-feed welding and the basics of creating an enclosed form. Students will practice techniques for putting steel together, fitting interior parts, and aesthetic sanding with a hand held grinder. Emphasis will be placed on both the welding and assembly processes.

This class has no prerequisites and is specifically set up for absolute beginners to this art form. 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 shoes, and natural material clothing, i.e. cotton or linen, long pants are required.
• For welding, a long sleeved cotton shirt is recommended that fully covers your chest. We have long sleeve over-shirts in the studio. Please be aware that sparks can damage clothing.
• A bandana or tight cap is advised. If you have long hair, please have it securely tied back from your face.
• No loose or dangling jewelry, long earrings or scarves.
• We will provide safety goggles and other PPE, but if you have your own and would like to bring them, please do!
• Please bring a water bottle!

Please note that students only have open lab access corresponding to their specific class area (e.g., blacksmithing open lab is separate from welding open lab).

Ages: 16+

All supplies and materials will be provided during class.

Will be available to register on Monday, July 27 at 8:00am.

Explore pattern and color! Use stencils to enliven your slab-built creations. In this class we'll start by having students make their own stencils, and then learn how to use these stencils with slabs for functional or decorative pieces like vases or serving dishes. All levels welcome!

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

This class meets weekly for 4 weeks on WEDNESDAYS.

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, July 27 at 8:00am.

Create a small, leather-bound notebook that is refillable (3.5" x 5.5"). We'll build two signatures of fine writing paper of about 30 pages each. We'll sew them with linen thread and include a pocket cut and folded from cardstock. Then we'll enclose the signatures in the leather cover with an elastic cord or a leather cord, depending on preference. Participants can emboss their initials or name on the cover.

Ages: 16+

This class takes place at Groundworks East (3063 E. Sterling Cir)

Class will be available for registration Monday July, 27 at 8:00am. 

This two‑day workshop introduces students to the versatility and precision of slab construction through the use of custom templates. Designed for both functional and sculptural makers, the class emphasizes thoughtful planning, clean construction, and the creative potential of working with flat clay transformed into dimensional form.

On Day One, we'll begin with demonstrations on how to design and make effective templates using roofing felt (tar paper). Students will learn how to translate ideas into flat patterns, how to account for clay thickness and joinery, and how to use templates to create repeatable forms. The afternoon shifts into guided studio time, where participants will sketch, refine, and cut templates for their own projects—whether vessels, boxes, architectural forms, or abstract sculptural components.

On Day Two, students move from planning to building. With their templates ready, they will construct one or more pieces, gaining hands‑on experience in assembling slabs, reinforcing seams, shaping curves, and troubleshooting common structural challenges. Individual guidance will support each student’s creative direction.By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with new skills, personalized templates they can reuse in their home studios, and a deeper understanding of how slab building can expand both functional and sculptural possibilities in clay.

This is an advanced beginner workshop so some prior clay experience is recommended.

About the Instructor: 

Bebe Alexander has been a professional ceramic artist and educator for over 35 years. Her sculptural and functional works draw from both the built environment and the rural landscapes of her upbringing, referencing architecture, industrial forms, and the quiet presence of man‑made structures in the natural world.

In addition to her studio practice, Bebe has been deeply involved in ceramics education. She began teaching at the Arvada Center in 1991 and went on to lead the ceramics program as Ceramics Program Coordinator from 1996 through 2024, fostering a vibrant community of makers.

Her work is held in numerous public, private, and corporate collections, including The Kirkland at the Denver Art Museum.

To see more of Bebe Alexander's work, check out her instagram @bebealexanderclay

Please Note: Firing service is not included; if you wish to fire your pieces an additional fee will apply based on the size of the items.

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

The class will run 12:00-5:00pm both days with a break for lunch. We will provide light refreshments, but please plan to pick up or bring your own lunch. 

Ages: 16+

Clay tablets have served as some of humanity’s earliest tools for storytelling, documentation and communication. They are an effective way to explore the rich history of clay as a surface for creating a sort of visual language. Through mark-making, symbols and layering, participants would be able to develop a personal visual vocabulary that communicates ideas, narratives, and feelings without relying solely on written words. The class will cover making ceramic slabs and tiles that can hang on a wall and focus on creating a intuitive visual language through surface design and material exploration. 

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

This class meets weekly for 4 weeks on SUNDAYS.

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, July 27 at 8:00am.

Curious how to use milling machinery– table saw, chop saw, jointer, and plainer? This beginner-level class will focus primarily on milling: the fundamental process of measuring, cutting, and preparing wood for a project. Over the course of 4 weeks, you'll learn how to safely use several of our milling machines to cut and shape wood, as well as some of the basics of joinery (joining pieces of wood together), and shaping and finishing with hand tools. We'll walk you through the whole process of creating a simple but beautiful functional piece that you'll want to brag to all your friends about.

This class has no prerequisites and is open to beginners and seasoned woodworkers alike, but our Wood Studio has 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-toed shoes, a shirt that can be tucked in and either short sleeves, or sleeves that can be rolled up past your elbows. 
• No loose or dangling jewelry.
• If you have long hair, please have it securely tied back from your face.
• We will provide safety goggles and/or full face shields, ear protection, and face masks to cover nose and mouth, but if you have your own PPE you would prefer to use, please do!

Please note that students only have open lab access corresponding to their specific class area (e.g., milling open lab is separate from turning open lab).

Ages: 16+ 

All supplies and materials will be provided. 

These classes include open studio time.

Will be available to register on Monday, July 27 at 8:00am at 8:00am.