This hands-on blacksmithing course is designed for young makers who want to explore the ancient craft of blacksmithing in a fun, safe, and engaging environment. Students will practice traditional blacksmithing techniques such as tapering, bending, and twisting, while learning to use the forge and anvil. Alongside developing valuable crafting skills, participants will gain confidence as they complete a range of creative projects, including but not limited to: a bracelet, hook, and snail.

Throughout the class, students will receive expert guidance on shop safety, fire management, proper tool usage, and how to work effectively with the anvil. By the end of the course, each participant will have the opportunity to leave with their very own handmade metal projects and a basic knowledge of blacksmithing.

What to Wear in the Metals Studio?

We wish for all students to have a safe and enjoyable learning experience. Proper safety equipment and PPE will be provided for use within the studio.

Please dress safely and appropriately. Arrive for class inall-natural fiber clothing, long pants, and closed-toe, closed-heelshoes with socks that protect up to the ankle. Long hair should betied back. Nylon, polyester, spandex, or other synthetics are notrecommended around machines, equipment, or processes that can producehot fragments, sparks, or flames. Please avoid synthetic blends, as100% cotton is recommended. Layers are encouraged, as the studio canbegin cool then become very hot.

Welding students are recommended to wear long sleeve shirts to preventarc-flash burns (much like a sunburn). 

All students participating in activities involving sparks or hot metal are encouraged to wear leather boots or older shoes.

Please bring a re-fillable water bottle!

Personal Property: 

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

All Monday and Tuesday classes will be available to register on Monday, March 31 at 8:00am.

Woodworking Fun for Kids! Spark your child's creativity and introduce them to the exciting world of woodworking! In this fun and safe class, young learners will learn basic woodworking skills while crafting their own unique projects.

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.

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: 9 - 12

All supplies and materials will be provided.  

Will be available to register on Monday, March 31 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 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, Mar. 31 at 8:00am.

Color plays an important role in any visual medium; it impacts how we see, perceive, and interpret visual stimulus and is therefore an important tool for any artist. This unique class will provide an overview of the role of color in any visual medium while using hands-on printmaking methods as a practical and expressive means of exploration.

In this 8-week class for intermediate to advanced artists of any medium, we'll practice color theory and cover the basics of making a reduction print by carving linoleum blocks to create unique, one-of-a-kind prints.

Single block, multiple colors: Unlike traditional color printmaking where separate blocks are used for each color, reduction printmaking uses only one block,carving away areas after each layer is printed, resulting in a layered, reduced print to create a multi-colored image.

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

Ages: 16+ 

All supplies and materials will be provided. 

Will be available to register on Monday, March 31 at 8:00 am.

Japanese stoneware is renowned for its humble, rustic simplicity, and embrace of imperfection. In this class we will create beautiful functional pottery inspired by the forms, handbuilding methods, and decorating techniques common to Japanese stoneware traditions. These include: handforming, coiling and pinching, kurinuki, slab construction, mishima, and surface texturing.

This class takes place at Groundworks EAST 3063 Sterling Circle, Boulder, CO. The EAST studio has a separate classroom for the hand-building class.

PLEASE NOTE: This 8-week class runs for 2.5 hours each class. You will not have access to the studio outside of the scheduled class time and all work will be completed during class time. You will also not have access to our other locations.

Your pieces will be fired in our electric kilns to Cone 6 Oxidation.

Ages: 16 and above

Class meets weekly on TUESDAYS

This class willl be co-taught by Chad Corbin and Aubrey Limburg. 

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, Mar. 31 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 TUESDAY

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 $265.

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

Will be available to register on Monday, Mar. 31 at 8:00am.

Join us as we explore the intricate nature of realistic animal sculpture. This course will study anatomy, pose and textures to reflect life like representations of animal forms. We will mostly be focusing on cats and dogs, so feel free to bring reference photos of your pets, however,  we can accommodate similar types of animals (4 legged and furry!) if you have a different critter in mind.

This class takes place at Groundworks HILL at 1010 Aurora Ave, Boulder, CO in the upstairs hand-building classroom. 

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, Mar. 31 at 8:00am.

This class goes beyond the basics and explores more complex wheel-thrown forms and surface decorations that emphasize the unique qualities of a Bourry Box wood-firing. As the wood burns, the ash travels throughout the kiln leaving a subtle yet distinctive trace on the pots therein.

The Bourry Box kiln is at an off site location in Longmont. Participation in the loading and firing of the Bourry Box wood fire kiln is a required component of the class. If you don't participate in the loading process, we can't guarentee your pieces will make it into the kiln. Kiln loading will take place June 19th. Kiln firing will take place Saturday June 21st. 

Ages: 16+

Class meets weekly on TUESDAYS

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

Will be available to register on Monday, Mar. 31 at 8:00am.