Level I Hand-building for students wanting to explore the basic techniques for hand-building functional, sculptural, or decorative pieces.

Learn about the various hand-building tools, and the three basic hand-building techniques: pinching, coiling, and slab rolling through a series of self-guided projects.

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 THURSDAY

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.

Will be available to register on Monday, July 28 at 8:00am.

“Totem” stems from the Algonquian meaning “kinship group”

Kinship between the earth (materials- clay and metal) and with one another. In this unique class you will be designing and creating your own totem.  These stacked forms will consist of clay and metal forms.  We suggest you bring in found wire such as copper, brass or steel if you would like to incorporate this kinetic movement into your totem.  

We will look at several examples and have demos on different construction methods (slab, pinch, coil, and ribbon) as well as the surface treatment of your individual beads for your totem.  There also will be an opportunity to make several pieces and exchange pieces with other students to create a different look to your totem, if you so desire.

The first 2-3 weeks of class we will be hand building clay beads of all shapes and sizes including spacers and totem toppers (birdhouse, birdbath, animal or other forms).  

We will have glaze demos, including: wax, tape, decals, and painting.  We will be spending part of week 3 and all of week 4 glazing.  A few questions to ponder:  will your pieces be glazed differently or will they all have similar textures, colors and designs? Do they tell a story or are they a mixture? Are they for inside your home or for your garden/yard?

The next three weeks will be in the metal studio making the base, metal beads, spacers and or toppers.  There will be demos and discussions throughout the classes on how these two materials work together creating an overall flow to your piece.

The last week we will be assembling your totems which will tell the story of your interests, creativity, experiences, influences and curiosities.  

Bring your ideas, sketches or images of what you would like to build.  

What to Wear in the Metals Studio?  

You must dress safely and appropriately. Arrive for class in all-natural fiber clothing, long pants, and closed-toe, closed-heel shoes with socks that protect up to the ankle. Long hair must be tied back. Nylon, polyester, spandex, or other synthetics are not allowed around machines, equipment, or processes that can produce hot fragments, sparks, or flames. Layers are encouraged, as the studio can be very cold or very hot. 

Welding students are recommended to wear long sleeve shirts to prevent arc-flash burns. Additional protective gear shall be provided as needed. 

Personal Property:  Personal materials will need to go home with you at the end of each class. We do not provide storage. 

All supplies and materials will be provided.

This class takes place in the hand building studio and metal shop at Groundworks Art Lab Main at 3750 Canfield Street Boulder 

Age 16+

Level 2 Hand building - Must have Level 1+ clay experience

Clay- first 4 weeks of class

Metal- second 4 weeks of class

**Schedule may shift, but it will be 4 weeks in each studio.

Fusion of clay and metal will be the assembly of your totem the final week of class with potluck and discussion of work

Will be available for registration Monday, July 28 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.

Ages: 16 and above

Class meets weekly on THURSDAYS

Note: This class will meet at the HILL location at 1010 Aurora Ave. You will only have open lab access at the same studio as your class.

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 a reduction kiln.

Will be available to register on Monday, July 28 at 8:00am.

This class is great for students who already have some experience with clay and are looking to take the next step.

The demonstrations for this class go beyond the basics. Students will learn how to make more complex forms and techniques including: altered forms, lidded jars, throwing off-the-hump, sgraffito, and more.

Ages: 16 and above

Class meets weekly on THURSDAYS

Note: This class will meet at the MAIN location at 3750 Canfield Street. You will only have open lab access at the same studio as your class.

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 a reduction kiln.

Will be available to register on Monday, July 28 at 8:00am.

Level I Hand-building for students wanting to explore the basic techniques for hand-building functional, sculptural, or decorative pieces.

Learn about the various hand-building tools, and the three basic hand-building techniques: pinching, coiling, and slab rolling through a series of self-guided projects.

Ages: 16+

Class meets weekly on FRIDAYS for 8 weeks

Note: This class will meet at the new Main location at 3750 Canfield Street in NE Boulder. You will only have open lab access at the same studio as your class. 

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

This class is Pay What You Can with a suggested price of $285

All pieces will be fired to Cone 6 in a reduction kiln.

Will be available to register on Monday, July 28 at 8:00am.

Our Wood and Metal studios are birds of a feather in this eight-week studio crossover class! These studios are teaming up to teach you how to make your very own three-dimensional sculptural wall hanging of a wooden bird in a metal tree.

Students will spend four weeks in our Wood Studio receiving instruction in carving in the round using basswood (a light, easy to carve wood from the linden trees) using chisels and gouges, the band saw, rasps, and rotary and sanding tools to create their bird sculpture. The other four weeks will be in our Metal Studio, learning the basics of MIG welding, forging/blacksmithing to shape the tree background for their bird.

This is the perfect opportunity to try your hand at two art forms for the price of one and come away with an amazing and unique piece of art all your own!

This class has no prerequisites and is specifically set up for absolute beginners to both of these art forms. Our Metal and Wood Studios do 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 the Metal Studio, so we recommend wearing long sleeves and a shirt that covers your whole chest.

• 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, July 28 at 8:00am.

Always wanted to try the potter's wheel, but didn't know where to start? This class is a great intro to the wheel in 5 short weeks!

This class is intended to get you familiar with the basics of throwing on the potter's wheel. Students will have 3 weeks of throwing instruction, one week of trimming, and one week of glazing. This class is ideal for those who have limited experience and want to learn the basics of centering, trimming and glazing, with a short instructor demo and hands-on assistance each week.

Please note: This class does not include Open Lab hours or additional clay.

Ages 16+ to register

Class meets weekly on FRIDAYS.

 All pieces will be fired to Cone 6 in a reduction kiln.

Will be available to register on Monday, July 28 at 8:00am.

Glass fusing, also known as kiln-formed glass, involves heating multiple pieces of glass in a kiln to create a single, fused piece. It's a versatile art form with many practical and decorative applications.

Come learn and explore the basics of using glass as an artmaking medium in just a couple of hours in this introductory level class. We’ll provide a selection of colored glass sheets for you to use in your own design or choose from pre-made designs like a flower, rainbow, or heart. Then hang your suncatcher in your window at home and enjoy the way the light dances through your design!

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, July 28 at 8:00am.