Beginner Hand Building
Beginner Hand Building Age: 16+ Day: Wednesday Dates: April 21 – May 26 Time: 1:30PM-4:00PM Location: Puckett Pottery House Room: Hand Building Instructor: Ashley Heredia Description: This multi–week class is an introduction to hand building designed for beginners with little to no experience. Students will receive hands‑on support and demonstrations to guide them as they explore and get familiar with the medium of clay. Through step-by-step guidance, students will learn the fundamental hand-building techniques of pinching, coiling, and slab construction. This course also covers how to make and attach handles, surface decoration, and glazing final pieces. By the end of the course, students take home a pinch pot, a coil vase, a slab box, and knowledge of the foundational skills of hand building. This class serves as the prerequisite where students learn the building blocks essential for future intermediate or advanced hand-building classes and workshops. Class tuition includes: One 25 lb bag of clay Access to a variety of our studio glazes No costs to fire your work 3 complimentary open studio sessions while you are enrolled in the class. Complimentary open studio times do not roll over into a new session of classes. – See schedule for open studio hours. Cain Center for the Arts reserves the right to cancel any class with insufficient enrollment. Students will be notified two weeks before the class if it is cancelled and they will receive a 100% refund. Use code RESCODE for Cornelius Residents only.
New Year, New Hobby: Wheel Throwing Workshop
New Year, New Hobby: Wheel Throwing Workshop Age: 16+ Day: Saturday Dates: January 30, 2027 Time: 1:00PM-3:00PM Location: Puckett Pottery House Room: Wheel Room Instructor: Lily Kuntz Description: Ready to kick off the new year by trying something new? If you’ve been curious about working with clay but aren’t ready to commit to a multi-week course, this special New Year-themed beginner pottery wheel workshop is the perfect way to start your creative journey! In this fun and welcoming 2-hour workshop, an instructor will guide you through the fundamentals of throwing clay on the pottery wheel. Whether your New Year’s resolution is to learn a new skill, embrace creativity, or simply try something different, this workshop is designed for complete beginners. No experience is necessary, just bring an open mind and a willingness to learn! Come solo, bring family or friends, or make it a unique date night experience. Each participant must purchase a ticket. At the end of the workshop, you’ll choose one piece to be professionally fired and finished. You’ll also select your glaze color from a variety of options offered by the studio. Our staff will handle all the glazing and firing, so you can focus on enjoying the experience and celebrating your newest hobby. All tools and materials are provided, so no supplies are needed. Just show up ready to create! Please allow approximately 4 weeks after the workshop to receive an email with instructions for picking up your finished piece. Start the year with fresh inspiration and discover the joy of creating something with your own hands! Use code RESCODE for Cornelius Residents only.
Easter Workshop: Egg Plate Painting
Easter Workshop: Egg Plate Painting Age: 8+ Day: Saturday Dates: March 27, 2027 Time: 1:00PM-3:00PM Location: Puckett Pottery House Room: Hand Building Instructor: Ashley Heredia Description: Celebrate the joy of Easter with a fun and creative ceramic decorating experience! Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly activity, a festive outing with friends, or a chance to create a unique seasonal keepsake, this beginner-friendly workshop is the perfect way to welcome spring. In this 2-hour workshop, you’ll create and decorate your own Easter egg-shaped ceramic plate. An instructor will guide you through the process of carving and engraving designs into your plate before adding colorful decorative details. Personalize your piece with Easter motifs, floral patterns, whimsical designs, or your own creative touch to make it truly one of a kind. No experience is needed, just bring a creative open mind and a willingness to have fun. Come on your own, with family or friends, or make it a festive spring outing! Each participant must purchase a ticket. Once you’ve finished decorating your plate, you’ll select your colors from a variety of options provided by the studio. Our staff will professionally glaze and fire your piece, bringing your design to life while you focus on enjoying the creative process. No supplies are needed for the workshop. We’ll provide the clay, carving tools, decorating materials, and all supplies needed to create your Easter-themed masterpiece. Please allow approximately 4 weeks after the workshop to receive an email with information about picking up your finished piece. Celebrate the season with creativity, color, and a handmade Easter egg plate that’s perfect for displaying throughout spring or bringing out year after year as part of your holiday traditions. Use code RESCODE for Cornelius Residents only.
Colored Pencil: Building Form, Value & Light
Colored Pencil: Building Form, Value & Light Age: 17+ Day: Thursday Dates: March 4 – April 8, 2027 Time: 10:00AM-12:00PM Location: Cain Center for the Arts – Main Campus Room: Classroom 115 Instructor: Lisa Albinus Description: Have you ever finished a colored pencil drawing and felt that something was flat, even though the colors were right? The answer is almost always value!! (Hint: value relationships matter more than exact color selection, and once you can see them, your drawings will start to look solid.) Over six weeks, we will build the skills that give a subject weight and light: controlling value in pale subjects, building form, and rendering both transparent and opaque surfaces. Every class begins with a demonstration and moves straight into practice on paper, so new skills go from instruction into your drawing before you leave. No prior experience is required (I will bring everyone up to speed each week!), and experienced colored pencil artists will find plenty to sharpen! You will leave with a working method for building form in colored pencil that you can apply to anything you draw. Use code RESCODE for Cornelius Residents only.
Hand Building for Home
Hand Building for Home Age: 16+ Day: Tuesday Dates: Jan 12 – Feb 16 Time: 10:30AM – 1:00PM Location: Puckett Pottery House Room: Hand Building Instructor: Sarah Eller Description: This class teaches students how to make functional and decorative seasonal items for the home using the hand-building techniques of pinching, coiling, and slab construction. Students will also learn about exciting surface decoration techniques and will glaze their finished pieces. This class is suitable for all levels, from beginner to experienced and offers step-by-step guidance and instruction. Class tuition includes: One 25 lb bag of clay Access to a variety of our studio glazes No costs to fire your work 3 complimentary open studio sessions while you are enrolled in the class. Complimentary open studio times do not roll over into a new session of classes. – See schedule for open studio hours. Cain Center for the Arts reserves the right to cancel any class with insufficient enrollment. Students will be notified two weeks before the class if it is cancelled and they will receive a 100% refund. Use code RESCODE for Cornelius Residents only.
Beginner Pottery Wheel Workshop
Beginner Pottery Wheel Workshop Age: 16+ Day: Friday Date: February 5 Time: 6:00PM-8:00PM Location: Puckett Pottery House Room: Wheel Room Instructor: Maria Lukashenok Description: Curious about clay but not quite ready to commit to a multi-week class? This beginner-friendly 2-hour wheel workshop is the perfect way to give pottery a try! Our instructor will guide you step-by-step through the basics of throwing on the pottery wheel. No experience needed–just come ready to get your hands a little messy, have fun, and learn something new. Come solo, bring a friend or family member, or make it a creative date night! What’s Included: 2 hours of guided, hands-on instruction all clay, tools, and supplies your choice of one piece to have professionally glazed and fired a selection of glaze colors to choose from At the end of the workshop, you’ll select your favorite piece and choose a glaze color. Our studio team will take care of the glazing and firing, so you can spend your time enjoying the wheel. Each participant must purchase their own ticket. Finished pieces will be ready for pickup approximately 4 weeks after the workshop, and we will email you when your pottery is ready to come home! Come get creative, try something new, and experience the fun of making pottery on a wheel! Use code RESCODE for Cornelius Residents only.
Youth Ceramics: Beginning Wheel and Hand Building
Youth Ceramics: Beginning Wheel and Hand Building Age: 10-16 Day: Thursday Dates: March 4 – April 8 Time: 5:00PM – 7:00PM Location: Puckett Pottery House Room: Wheel Room and Hand Building Instructor: Taisia Ealy Description: This ceramics class provides the opportunity to explore the joy and the challenges of working with clay. Students will learn how to make pottery on the wheel while also learning how to roll coils, build slabs, & create textures and unique surface patterns while sculpting their own unique pieces. *Pre-Requisite: Beginner for this class is considered to be 3 or less classes with this instructor. Complimentary open studio times do not roll over into a new session of classes. – See schedule for open studio hours. Cain Center for the Arts reserves the right to cancel any class with insufficient enrollment. Students will be notified two weeks before the class if it is cancelled and they will receive a 100% refund. Use code RESCODE for Cornelius Residents only.
Intermediate Wheel: Making Dinnerware Sets
Intermediate Wheel: Making Dinnerware Sets Age: 16+ Day: Wednesday Dates: April 21 – May 26 Time: 1:30PM-4:00PM Location: Puckett Pottery House Room: Wheel Room Instructor: Maria Lukashenok Description: Expand your wheel throwing skills through the design and creation of a cohesive dinnerware set. Students will develop a concept, refine forms through prototyping, and create matching functional pieces while exploring surface decoration and glazing. The course culminates in a group critique where students present and discuss their finished work. Previous wheel throwing experience required. Class tuition includes: One 25 lb bag of clay Access to a variety of our studio glazes No costs to fire your work 3 complimentary open studio sessions while you are enrolled in the class. Complimentary open studio times do not roll over into a new session of classes. – See schedule for open studio hours. Cain Center for the Arts reserves the right to cancel any class with insufficient enrollment. Students will be notified two weeks before the class if it is cancelled and they will receive a 100% refund. Use code RESCODE for Cornelius Residents only.
Valentine’s Day Workshop: Hand Built Vases
Valentine’s Day Workshop: Hand Built Vases Age: 16+ Day: Saturday Dates: February 6, 2027 Time: 10:30AM-12:30PM Location: Puckett Pottery House Room: Hand Building Instructor: Sarah Eller Description: Looking for a creative way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Whether you’re planning a unique date night, a fun outing with friends, or some quality time for yourself, join us for a beginner-friendly hand-built vase workshop and create a handmade piece you’ll cherish for years to come! In this special 2-hour Valentine’s Day workshop, an instructor will guide you through the fundamentals of hand-building with clay as you design and create your own one-of-a-kind ceramic vase. Add your personal touch with textures, patterns, and decorative details to make a meaningful keepsake or heartfelt gift. No experience is needed, just bring a creative open mind and a willingness to try something new. Come on your own, with a partner, family, or friends. Each participant must purchase a ticket. During the workshop you will paint and decorate your vase with a selection of colorful glazes. No supplies are needed for the workshop. We’ll provide all the clay, tools, and materials you’ll need to create your piece. Please allow approximately 4 weeks after the workshop to receive an email with information about picking up your finished vase. Celebrate the season of love with creativity, connection, and a handmade piece that’s crafted straight from the heart. Use code RESCODE for Cornelius Residents only.
Spring Planters – Wheel
Spring Planters – Wheel Age: 16+ Day: Saturday Dates: April 3, 2027 Time: 10:30AM-12:30PM Location: Puckett Pottery House Room: Wheel Room Instructor: Lily Kuntz Description: In this 2-hour workshop, an instructor will guide you through the process of throwing your own ceramic planter on the pottery wheel. You’ll learn the basic techniques of wheel throwing while creating a functional planter complete with a connected or matching drip tray. Perfect for displaying your favorite succulent, herb, or small houseplant, your finished piece will add a handmade touch to your home or garden. No experience is needed, just bring a creative open mind and a willingness to learn something new. Come on your own, with family or friends, or make it a fun springtime outing! Each participant must purchase a ticket. At the end of the workshop, you’ll select a glaze color from a variety of options provided by the studio. Our staff will glaze and fire your work so you can focus on enjoying the creative process. No supplies are needed for the workshop. We’ll provide all the clay, tools, and materials you’ll need to create your spring-inspired planter. Please allow approximately 4 weeks after the workshop to receive an email with information about picking up your finished planter and drip tray. Welcome the season with creativity, fresh inspiration, and a handmade ceramic planter that’s perfect for showcasing your favorite spring greenery. Use code RESCODE for Cornelius Residents only.