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 SUNDAYS

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, December 8 at 8:00am.

Immerse yourself in the world of woodworking by joining our comprehensive sampler class! This workshop is perfect for beginners who are looking to familiarize themselves with a woodshop, and who aim to become comfortable with the basics of milling and hand tools. 

This sampler class is designed to build your confidence and comfort with woodworking, laying a solid foundation for any advanced classes you may choose to pursue in the future. You’ll also have the chance to connect with other passionate woodworking enthusiasts, sharing ideas and experiences in a supportive and welcoming environment. 

This Class Does NOT include Open Lab

Class Policies & Information:

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.

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-toe, 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+ 

All supplies and materials will be provided. 

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

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

The Book Arts League is excited to announce that we will now offer open studio hours! Our shop will be available monthly for you to print your work. Below are the upcoming open studio dates. BAL board members will be your hosts and will assist you with your printing projects. Please bring your own paper and get ready to print!

TUESDAY Jan. 13th — 4:30-6:30PM

TUESDAY Feb. 10th — 4:30-6:30PM

TUESDAY Mar. 10th — 4:30-6:30PM

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 three 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. 

NOTE: This class is three weeks long (pro-rated).

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

Ephemera: any transitory written or printed matter not meant to be retained or preserved.

Each year the Book Arts League hosts a print Ephemera playdate. Letterpress printed pieces are encouraged, but the BAL will accept any entry! In the past we have had potato prints, laser printed quotes, creative cuttings from old phone books, poems picked out on pages of old books, a set of 30 individual collages, folded maps, even laser printed illustrations. Anything you can print, you can send!!

To play, participants make an edition of 30 pieces, send them into the BAL by January 31 (or as soon thereafter as you can!) Once the Book Arts League receives all entries for the year, the sets will be collated. A BAL volunteer will then design a wrapper or package to contain the collection and you will be mailed back a complete set! Inside your package you will receive one piece from every person who participated and one of your own pieces. Also included will be a list of the names of all the artists who participated. 

Would you like to participate in our annual event but don't know where to begin? Don't have a press? Come join Brenda Gallagher in the Book Arts League letterpress studio to print your submission for this year's exchange! Bring your paper of choice. You'll need at least 30 pieces that can be cut (or folded) down to 5"x7" pieces. You can set a few words using the BAL type collection and pair it with a picture block from the BAL's collection. Bring your ideas and get ready for the 2026 Ephemera Exchange!

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

Ages: 16+

Prints can be dropped off at Groundworks East (3063 E. Sterling Cir)

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

Join us for an afternoon of fun and art-making with your family!

In this special family class, children and their adults will work together on a hand-built Valentine’s Day-themed clay project. Pieces can be decorated with textures, designs, and painted with underglaze.

We will then fire and glaze all pieces and let you know when they are ready for pickup, about 2 weeks later. This is a fun way to give handmade gifts or have beautiful decorations for your home that last a lifetime!

All materials included.

For children ages 4+

Bring your kid(s), family, and friends! Each attendee must register separately.

Explore the art of carving. This class offers students the opportunity to develop sculptural skills through either a structured project or the realization of their own artistic concepts. We will provide materials and expert guidance to help you bring your vision to life. Carving offers a rich and repeatable artistic practice, allowing for continuous growth and exploration beyond a single project.

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.

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-toe, 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+ 

All supplies and materials will be provided. 

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

Mix it up with Mixed Monotype! Monotype is a unique one-and-done, never to be recreated style of printmaking where you create a brand new image every time you roll out the ink. This beginner-friendly, but all levels welcome 4-week class will dive into how!

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, December 8 at 8:00am.