Summers are always muggy, so why not come learn how to make a beautiful hand-built mug? This adult camp will spend the first part of the week focusing on what it takes to construct a functional hand-built mug. The ins and outs of weight, drinking lips, handle placement and more and how that can affect your finished pieces. The second half of the camp will turn to surface decoration and ways to decorate beyond just glazing. Students will have the opportunity to make 2 or 3 mugs a piece to explore their different ideas and try out the different techniques. Pieces will be fired by the studio and ready for pick up a few weeks after the camp ends. 

This class will take place in the hand-building classroom upstairs at Groundworks Hill, 1010 Aurora Ave. Boulder, CO

Ages 16+

Availble for registration Tuesday, May 27th at 8:00am.

We’re so excited to offer summer camps this year in our new Glass Studio! Students will be introduced to the foundations of working with hot and cold glass processes. Techniques will include fusing, kiln work, printing with imagery and coldwork. Our final project will be a culmination of what we’ve learned throughout the week. In the Glass Studio, we encourage students to bring their full attention, awareness, focus and creativity! 

What to Wear in the Glass Studio?  Arrive for class in all-natural fiber clothing including long pants, and closed-toe, closed-heel shoes. Please avoid wearing nylon, polyester, spandex, or other synthetic fabrics. Any loose hair or clothing must be tied back completely. All safety equipment will be provided for use during class. 

Supervised Lunch / Extended Pick-Up/Drop-off: 

Each student enrolled in camp can sign up for supervised lunch. Bring your own lunch to enjoy between morning and afternoon camps (12pm-1pm). The fee for this add-on program is $25 per week.

This camp will be available to register at 8:00AM on Monday, January 27

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 open studio dates for the first quarter. 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!

WEDNESDAY June 11th — 4:30-6:30PM 

WEDNESDAY July 9th — 4:30-6:30PM

WEDNESDAY Aug 13th — 4:30-6:30PM

Hump day lasts all week in this low-attachment, high-impact camp focusing on taking your “off the hump” skills to the next level. In this week-long adult summer camp, students will learn how to improve their method and understanding of throwing pieces “off the hump” - a pottery technique where a large mound of clay is centered on a potter's wheel, and multiple small pots or bowls are thrown from the top of the mound. Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking for more practice, or fairly new to the studio and looking to learn a new technique, this camp is for you! 

This camp is all about practice and repetition without the stress of needing pieces to be perfect. Students will spend the week honing their throwing skills. Please note, this camp will only focus on throwing “off the hump”. At the end of each class, the pieces will be recycled so students can start fresh the next day. No pieces will be kept, taking the pressure off and leaving students free to experiment. 

This class will take place at Groundworks Main, 3750 Canfield St. Boulder, CO

Ages: 16+

Available for registration Tuesday, May 27th at 8:00am

Letterpress printing with LegosTaught by Brenda Gallagher and Julia Seko

Combine the beauty of letterpress printing with the fun of setting legos! Students will be given a type high lego baseplate on which to design their lego printing with lego tiles. Plates will then be locked up in the Vandercook letterpress to print. Students will learn printing with two different colors in two passes on the press. Multiple prints are encouraged for a print swap on the last day of class. If time allows, students can make a soft case to hold the collection.

This is a one month drop in course, held 4x, on four consecutive Wednesdays. Students can attend all 4 classes or just which ones work with the summer family calendar. This class is open to students ages 9+.

July 23 

July 30 

August 6

This week-long, beginner-friendly Adult Summer Camp is an introduction to the wide variety of printmaking styles--all using materials found in the kitchen that would normally go to waste. In this class, you'll learn how to reuse Tetrapak boxes, plastic containers, and other found materials to create beautiful prints using DIY and accessible methods. We will cover basic techniques for several major printmaking methods: relief, intaglio, and lithography, as well as how to handle ink, operate the press, and compose compelling pieces of art. 

Ages: 16+ 

All supplies and materials will be provided. 

Will be available to register on Tuesday, May 27 at 8:00 am.

Letterpress printing with LegosTaught by Brenda Gallagher and Julia Seko

Combine the beauty of letterpress printing with the fun of setting legos! Students will be given a type high lego baseplate on which to design their lego printing with lego tiles. Plates will then be locked up in the Vandercook letterpress to print. Students will learn printing with two different colors in two passes on the press. Multiple prints are encouraged for a print swap on the last day of class. If time allows, students can make a soft case to hold the collection.

This is a one month drop in course, held 4x, on four consecutive Wednesdays. Students can attend all 4 classes or just which ones work with the summer family calendar. This class is open to students ages 9+.

July 16

July 30 

August 6

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, and how to track your pieces through the studio in 4 short weeks! Ideal for people with busy summer schedules that can’t commit to a full 8 week class.

Ages: 16 and above

Class meets weekly on WEDNESDAY

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 Wednesday, May 28 at 8:00am.