If you have wondered what the craft of blacksmithing is like to practice, this class is for you. Experience the joy of forging steel into objects of utility and beauty. This beginning level class will cover shop safety, fire management, tools and equipment, and appropriate use of the anvil, as well as an introduction to object-making using multiple methods of shaping hot metals

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!

Ages: 16+

All supplies and materials will be provided during class.

Will be available to register on Tuesday, May 26 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 TUESDAYS

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 Tuesday, May 26 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

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. 

Sampler classes DO NOT include open studio time.

This is a Pay What You Can class with a suggested price of $280

Will be available to register on Tuesday, May 26 at 8:00am at 8:00am.

Ever wish you could enhance your thrown pieces?

Expand your pottery skills by playfully exploring altered forms. This class invites you to creatively push the boundaries of wheel-thrown shapes, combining hand-building techniques with wheel-thrown work to craft one-of-a-kind pieces. You'll explore altering forms through darting, fluting, and faceting, and experiment with reshaping your creations by squishing, cutting, and reassembling– all of which will enhance creative problem solving in the studio and encourage you to make unique masterpieces.

(Please check the class prerequisites before enrolling)

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

Will be available to register on Tuesday, May 26 at 8:00am.

Channel your inner Andy Warhol and come try screen printing, also known as silk screen printing. This class is great for those who have limited printmaking experience and will provide an introduction from design conception to making a stencil, transferring it to the screen, and making a successful print.

Each week, the instructor will walk students through a different step of the technical screen printing process, breaking it down to its basics and opening your world to the myriad possibilities of this fun and adaptable printing process.

Ages: 16+

All supplies and materials will be provided.

Will be available to register on Thursday, May 26 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 WEDNESDAYS

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.

This class is Pay What You Can with a suggested price of $270

Will be available to register on Tuesday, May 26 at 8:00am.

In this cross-studio class you will first have 4 weeks in the printmaking studio to learn the basics of carving into Lino to make a custom 9” x 12” print on paper.  You will achieve techniques that can be applied beyond this class and create a Lino block that you can print again.  

After completing your 9" × 12" print, you’ll build a custom hardwood frame in maple, cherry, or walnut to showcase it. Starting from rough lumber, you’ll mill stock to precise dimensions using the jointer, planer, table saw, and chop saw. You’ll cut accurate miters and assemble the frame with glued, splined joints in a contrasting wood species for added strength and a refined accent. Finally, we’ll apply an oil-based finish and install your print, so you leave with a professionally crafted frame ready to hang. All materials are provided.

All supplies and materials will be provided, but if you have extra elements you'd like to add, students are encouraged to bring them in. 

This class takes place in the print studio and wood shop at Groundworks Art Lab Main at 3750 Canfield Street Boulder 

Age 16+

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

This class will be co-taught by Renate Mairie (print) and Tim Gordon (wood). 

Class meets weekly on Wednesdays. 

Students will NOT have access to open lab.

Will be available for registration Tuesday, May 26 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.

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 WEDNESDAYS

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 Tuesday, May 26 at 8:00am.