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.
Date Night Series: Collage
Date Night Series: Collage Age: 17+ Day: Saturday Date: January 9, 2027 Time: 10:30AM-12:30PM Location: Cain Center for the Arts – Main Campus Room: Classroom 115 Instructor: Marquia Humphries Description: Start the new year with creativity and intention. Using collage techniques, participants will create a personalized vision board that reflects their goals, dreams, and aspirations for the year ahead. This relaxed, inspiring workshop is perfect for anyone looking to set intentions and bring their plans to life through art. Use code RESCODE for Cornelius Residents only.
Pastel Foundations
Pastel Foundations Age: 17+ Day: Thursday Dates: March 4 – April 8, 2027 Time: 1:00PM-3:30PM Location: Cain Center for the Arts – Main Campus Room: Classroom 115 Instructor: Gail Kolenda Description: This class is for anyone who is interested in learning how to create art with soft pastels. It is designed for people who have never used pastels before and for anyone who wants to explore new creative techniques in a supportive environment.This 6-week course introduces students to the unique qualities of soft pastels through a variety of subjects and approaches. Each week we will build upon the previous lesson, moving from basic techniques and color blending to abstract compositions, landscapes, still life, and cityscapes. In the final week, students will create their own pastel project using the skills they have learned throughout the course.At the end of each class, students will have completed at least one project to take home and continue building their pastel skills and confidence.Class Overview:Week 1: Soft Pastel Basics, Color, and TechniquesWeek 2: Abstract Pastel ExplorationWeek 3: Landscape StudiesWeek 4: Still Life CompositionWeek 5: Cityscape Drawing and DesignWeek 6: Plan and Create a Personal Pastel Project Throughout the class, students will learn about color relationships, blending, layering, texture, and composition while developing their own creative style. Reminder emails will be sent weekly. Use code RESCODE for Cornelius Residents only.
Beginner Wheel Throwing
Beginner Wheel Throwing Age: 16+ Day: Tuesday Dates: Jan 12 – Feb 16 Time: 1:30PM-4:00PM Location: Puckett Pottery House Room: Wheel Room Instructor: Danielle Carelock Description: Beginning wheel throwing is the perfect class for anyone intersted 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.