This book combines the soft opening of a leather spine with the sturdy firmness of board covers. The completed book opens nearly perfectly flat making it an ideal book for your journal writing or drawing. Creating your book involves sewing folded signatures through a leather spine with the long stitch. We will begin by getting acquainted with paper grain and its importance for the finished book. We will cover the boards of the book with decorative paper and once dry we'll drill holes in the covers to prepare for sewing. The leather spine will also need holes for sewing which we will pierce with an awl or drill. Paper signatures will be folded and pierced and then we'll take a short break for lunch. After lunch we will learn to sew the long stitch to bind the book. Covers will then be sewn onto the leather spine piece. By the end of the workshop, you will have completed your book, and have the skill to make more on your own. Class fee includes all materials we use to make a book: leather for the spine, a sheet of decorative paper to cover boards, paper for your signatures, a pair of pre-cut cover boards, glue, and waxed-linen thread. Please bring your own basic bookbinder's toolkit: bonefolder, pencil, awl, Xacto knife, scissors, ruler, and a bookbinder's needle. If you don't have any of these, the BAL will have student tools to share.

If you are a BAL member please reach out to registration@groundworksartlab.org for a $10 off discount. 

Ages: 16+

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

Class will be available for registration December 8th at 8:00am. 

Come explore the intriguing world of mixed media.  We will be utilizing coil and slap built clay forms embellished with carved and sculpted wooden elements to create an  animal like mask to hang on the wall.  The clay forms can be decorated with a variety of techniques that will be covered in class.  The finished wooden elements will be cleverly attached after firing. Students are encouraged to bring in other mixed media elements to add to their sculptural pieces to make them truly unique.  This 8 week class will take place in the clay and wood studios,  beginning with clay mixing in wood carving days and finishing with assembly.

This class will be co-taught by Margaret Josey-Parker (Clay) and Julia German (Wood)

Open Lab: The clay portion of this class does not come with additional open lab time. Once the class switches into the wood studio, students will have access to the wood studio during open lab times. 

What to wear to the wood studio?  

Safety First: Long pants, and closed-toe, closed-heel shoes with socks that protect up to the ankle.  Shirts and tops should be easy to tuck in, with sleeves that can be rolled up as needed.  Tie back long hair to ensure safety.  We offer safety goggles, dust masks and ear protection, and they must be worn in the wood studio.  Feel free to bring your own if you are more comfortable with them.  Jewelry, loose-fitting clothing, or any other items that could dangle will need to be secured while using machines.

Safety Information:

• Closed-toed, closed-heel shoes
• Long Pants
• Shirts should be easily tucked and sleeves pulled up, Hair tied back
• Eye and lung protection are provided and must be worn in the studio

Ages: 16+

Class will be available for registration Monday, February 2 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.

(Please check the class prerequisites before enrolling)

Ages: 16+

Class meets weekly on MONDAYS

Note: This class will meet at the Hill location at 1010 Aurora Avenue. 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, February 2 at 8:00am.

Using a variety of techniques, students will learn to compose and produce multicolored, multilayered monotype prints. We will begin by inking plexiglass plates to produce color flats, patterns, shapes and textures to which we will add other imagery, abstract layers, stenciled shapes or impressions of found materials depending on each student’s artistic goals.

Over the course of the class it will be possible to produce a number of finished artworks or just to learn how to use and combine various processes including drypoint etching and linoleum or Speedy-Cut block relief prints. Consider bringing some materials for inspiration such as photographs, sketches, or ideas that you would like to work from or explore.

Ages: 16+

All supplies and materials will be provided.

Will be available to register on Monday, February 2 at 8:00am.

This class is focused towards intermediate/advanced students that want to learn more technical skills and studio processes.

The demonstrations for this class will show more advanced techniques, such as how to make larger and more complicated pieces. You will learn more about materials and different processes. Students with individual learning goals or special projects are welcome to join this class.

(Please check the class prerequisites before registering for this class.)

Ages: 16+

Class meets weekly on MONDAYS

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

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

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

Will be available to register on Monday, February 2 at 8:00am.

No, this isn’t a spell that you can cast in Dungeons & Dragons - it’s so much cooler (well, hotter, actually). This introductory four-week class will teach you how to use a torch to sculpt and manipulate hot glass into beads, small figurines, and other exciting creations.

Come learn and explore the basics of using and caring for the equipment, glass color and all of the steps of prepping, shaping, and finishing heated glass with hand tools. If you’re looking for a fun, entry-level class to start your glassworking journey, look no further!

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 that must be met 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 closed-toe and closed-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, February 2 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 MONDAYS

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, February 2 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+

Class meets weekly on TUESDAYS

Note: This class will meet at the Hill location at 1010 Aurora Avenue. 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, February 2 at 8:00am.