Fired up for the arts – Clay classes underway at ArtWorks Center
Published 10:21 am Friday, September 12, 2014
Margie Culton works on her clay during the class.
Eight people came together Thursday night to continue molding and shaping the Austin ArtWorks Center.
John Sullivan, the art teacher at I.J. Holton Intermediate School, led the first adult clay class for seven beginners in the Clay Cavern — the center’s basement.
“I’m excited about this new adventure here,” said Yvonne Jondal, the first to arrive for the class.
After the grand opening and Austin ArtWorks Festival revealed the center to the public last month, the class was the latest example of the center getting down to business — and that means bringing people into the center to share, learn, craft, and even sell their pieces.
John Sullivan talks to students in his pottery class Thursday night at the Austin ArtWorks Center. Photos by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austidnailyherald.com
While six clay wheels were available in the Clay Cavern, the group started simple Thursday by hand-building pieces through a seamless slab method.
They shaped clay into cylinders using their hands and then poked holes in the middle using dowels to shape, stretch and mold the clay.
“The cool thing about clay is that’s what it’s all about: You take this soft, malleable material and change it and keep changing it,” he told the class.
The class will meet a few more times to continue work on their pieces, eventually glazing and then firing them in the kiln in the center’s basement.
“It’s a good facility,” Sullivan said. “This kiln’s really nice. Perfect for this place.”
Thursday was just the beginning for the Clay Cavern, as Sullivan said there’s much more ahead. Along with many more classes to come, there will be open studio time starting as soon as next week.
