Valentine’s Day Workshop: Throw Heart-Shaped Cups
Valentine’s Day Workshop: Throw Heart-Shaped Cups Age: 16+ Day: Saturday Dates: February 13, 2027 Time: 1:00PM-3:00PM Location: Puckett Pottery House Room: Wheel Room Instructor: Lily Kuntz 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 a memorable experience for yourself, join us for a beginner-friendly pottery wheel workshop and create your own handmade heart-shaped cup! In this special 2-hour Valentine’s Day workshop, an instructor will guide you through the basic steps of throwing clay on the pottery wheel while helping you shape and personalize a heart-inspired cup. You’ll learn beginner pottery techniques and create a functional keepsake that’s perfect for enjoying your favorite coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. 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. 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 having fun and making lasting memories. No supplies are needed for the workshop. We’ll provide all the clay, tools, and materials you’ll need to learn. Please allow approximately 4 weeks after the workshop to receive an email with information about picking up your finished piece. Celebrate the season of love by learning a new skill and creating a handmade heart cup that’s crafted with love and made to last. Use code RESCODE for Cornelius Residents only.
Berry Baskets – Hand Build
Berry Baskets – Hand Build Age: 16+ Day: Saturday Dates: May 1, 2027 Time: 1:00PM-3:00PM Location: Puckett Pottery House Room: Hand Building Instructor: Ashley Heredia Description: Celebrate the beauty of spring and discover the joy of working with clay in this beginner-friendly hand-building workshop! Whether you’re looking to try a new creative hobby, spend time with friends, or enjoy a relaxing afternoon, this workshop is the perfect way to welcome the season. In this 2-hour workshop, an instructor will guide you through the process of creating your own ceramic berry basket using clay slabs. You’ll learn basic hand-building techniques as you construct a functional berry basket perfect for rinsing and serving fresh strawberries, blueberries, and other seasonal favorites. Add your own creative touches with decorative textures, patterns, and spring-inspired details to make your basket uniquely yours. 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 have the option to paint your berry basket with a selection of colors or 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 berry basket. Please allow approximately 4 weeks after the workshop to receive an email with information about picking up your finished piece. Welcome the season with creativity, fresh inspiration, and a handmade ceramic berry basket that’s perfect for enjoying spring’s harvest in style. Use code RESCODE for Cornelius Residents only.
New Year, New Hobby: Linocut/Print Your Own Tote
New Year, New Hobby: Linocut/Print Your Own Tote Age: 17+ Day: Friday Date: January 15, 2027 Time: 5:30PM-7:30PM Location: Cain Center for the Arts – Main Campus Room: Classroom 115 Description: Discover the art of linocut printmaking as you carve your own design and transfer it onto a tote bag or bandana. This beginner-friendly workshop is a fun introduction to relief printing and lets you leave with a unique, handmade wearable creation. This workshop is open to children (10+) and adults. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult. Use code RESCODE for Cornelius Residents only.
Oil Painting: The Expressive Portrait
Oil Painting: The Expressive Portrait Age: 17+ Day: Tuesday Dates: April 20 – May 25, 2027 Time: 6:30PM-8:30PM Location: Cain Center for the Arts – Main Campus Room: Classroom 115 Instructor: Christine Bonnas Description: Explore the timeless art of portraiture in The Expressive Portrait, an engaging studio class designed to demystify painting the human face. Working in rich, forgiving oils, adult students will learn how to capture not just physical likeness, but the unique character, mood, and presence of a sitter.Through structured demonstrations and supportive, individualized feedback, you will break down the complexities of facial anatomy, skin tones, and lighting into manageable, foundational steps.What You Will Learn – Facial Proportions & Anatomy: Learn how to map out the skull, features, and planes of the face accurately. Mastering Skin Tones: Demystify color mixing for flesh tones, learning how to see and paint subtle shifts in temperature and value. Light, Shadow, & Form: Use chiaroscuro techniques to give your subjects a three-dimensional, lifelike presence. Capturing Expression: Move beyond rigid realism to infuse your brushwork with personality, emotion, and dynamic life. Use code RESCODE for Cornelius Residents only.
Beginner Wheel Throwing
Beginner Wheel Throwing Age: 16+ Day: Thursday Dates: Jan 14 – Feb 18 Time: 10:30AM-1:00PM Location: Puckett Pottery House Room: Wheel Room Instructor: Lily Kuntz Description: Beginning wheel throwing is the perfect class for anyone interested in learning the basic of pottery or anyone who wants to continue developing their skills. Students will be taught all of the fundamentals to working with clay in this hands-on class. Instruction will cover essential wheel-throwing techniques and learn how to create forms such as cups, bowls, and mugs. Students will be taught how to trim their work, add simple handles, and the process of glazing their final work. In addition to wheel work, the course will introduce basic studio practices, clay handling, tool use, and ceramic terminology. Students will gain an understanding of the complete pottery-making process, from wet clay to finished fired pieces. By the end of the class, students will have developed foundational wheel-throwing skills, increased confidence working with clay, and completed several functional ceramic pieces while building a strong base for future ceramics study. 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.
Intermediate Wheel Throwing
Intermediate Wheel Throwing Age: 16+ Day: Tuesday Dates: March 2 – April 6 Time: 6:30PM-9:00PM Location: Puckett Pottery House Room: Wheel Room Instructor: Jon Lang Description: This intermediate wheel throwing ceramics class is designed for students who are comfortable centering clay and creating basic forms such as bowls and cylinders. Building on foundational skills, students will refine their technique while exploring more complex wheel-thrown forms and decorative approaches.Students will focus on improving consistency, control, and craftsmanship through projects that may include larger vessels, matching sets, plates, pitchers, and lidded forms. Instruction will cover advanced trimming, altering forms, assembling multipart pieces, and attaching handles and spouts.The course will also introduce surface decoration techniques such as carving, texture, slip application, and glazing considerations. Emphasis is placed on developing strong functional forms, understanding proportion and design, and strengthening problem-solving skills in the studio.By the end of the class, students will have expanded their technical abilities, increased confidence at the wheel, and completed a variety of finished ceramic pieces while continuing to develop their own creative style. 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.
All Levels Wheel
All Levels Wheel Age: 16+ Day: Monday Dates: April 19 – May 24 Time: 6:30PM – 9:00PM Location: Puckett Pottery House Room: Wheel Room Instructor: Keith Meyers Description: Perfect for beginning students or the more experienced ones, this is an all-level ceramics class that will focus on form, shaping and textural methods on the clay wheel. Learn how to add handles, and other ornamental designs to your pieces while also discovering new techniques through demonstrations and one-on-one instructions. 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: May 14 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.
Floral Mugs – Hand Build
Floral Mugs – Hand Build Age: 16+ Day: Saturday Dates: March 6, 2027 Time: 10:30AM-12:30PM Location: Puckett Pottery House Room: Hand Building Instructor: Lily Kuntz Description: Celebrate the beauty of spring and discover the joy of working with clay in this beginner-friendly hand-building workshop! Whether you’re looking to try a new creative hobby, spend time with friends, or enjoy a relaxing afternoon, this workshop is the perfect way to welcome the season. In this 2-hour workshop, an instructor will guide you through the process of creating your own hand-built ceramic mug adorned with beautiful floral details. You’ll learn basic hand-building techniques and explore ways to add flowers, leaves, and other spring-inspired decorations to make your mug uniquely yours. 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 have the option to paint your mug with a selection of colors or 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 floral masterpiece. Please allow approximately 4 weeks after the workshop to receive an email with information about picking up your finished mug. Welcome the season with creativity, fresh inspiration, and a handmade floral mug that’s perfect for enjoying your favorite spring beverages. Use code RESCODE for Cornelius Residents only.
Floral Mugs – Hand Build
Floral Mugs – Hand Build Age: 16+ Day: Saturday Dates: May 8, 2027 Time: 10:30AM-12:30PM Location: Puckett Pottery House Room: Hand Building Instructor: Lily Kuntz Description: Celebrate the beauty of spring and discover the joy of working with clay in this beginner-friendly hand-building workshop! Whether you’re looking to try a new creative hobby, spend time with friends, or enjoy a relaxing afternoon, this workshop is the perfect way to welcome the season. In this 2-hour workshop, an instructor will guide you through the process of creating your own hand-built ceramic mug adorned with beautiful floral details. You’ll learn basic hand-building techniques and explore ways to add flowers, leaves, and other spring-inspired decorations to make your mug uniquely yours. 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 have the option to paint your mug with a selection of colors or 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 floral masterpiece. Please allow approximately 4 weeks after the workshop to receive an email with information about picking up your finished mug. Welcome the season with creativity, fresh inspiration, and a handmade floral mug that’s perfect for enjoying your favorite spring beverages. Use code RESCODE for Cornelius Residents only.