Classes

Saturday, July 25 @ 10am

Raku Fired Pottery Workshop
Experience the excitement and unpredictability of Raku firing in this immersive, hands-on workshop! Participants will create and finish three unique ceramic pieces to take home: a cylinder form, a bowl, and a vase. Throughout the class, you’ll explore the dramatic process of Raku and learn how different firing methods transform clay into one-of-a-kind works of art.

Artist, Lilly Anspach will demonstrate three distinct Raku techniques – traditional reduction, horsehair, and Obvara firing – before guiding you as you apply each technique to your own pottery. Every firing produces unexpected colors, crackles, and patterns, making each piece truly unique.

This workshop is ideal for adventurous beginners and experienced makers alike. All materials, tools, glazing supplies, and specialized firing equipment are included.

Saturday Workshop
Duration: 4 hours (feel free to bring a snack)
Includes: Materials and firing for three take-home pieces (cylinder, bowl, and vase) using all three Raku techniques.

Cost: $95 members / $105 non-members

Thursday, July 9 @ 5:30pm

Join artist Lily Anspach and discover the art of Shibori, a traditional Japanese dyeing technique that transforms ordinary fabric into one-of-a-kind works of art. In this beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll learn a variety of folding, twisting, and binding methods that create stunning patterns and designs using indigo dye.

Each participant will create four unique pieces to take home, including a 10″ cotton fabric square, a kitchen towel, a 6″ x 12″ fabric strip, and a handkerchief-sized piece of fabric. Along the way, you’ll explore different Shibori techniques and receive handouts detailing the folds and bindings used so you can recreate the process at home.

All supplies are included – just bring your creativity and be prepared to get a little hands-on as you experiment with this beautiful textile tradition!

Class Details:

• 📅 Date: Thursday, July 9
• 🕕 Time: 5:30 PM (expected to last 3 hours – feel free to bring a snack)
• 🎨 Supplies: All materials included
• 👥 Ages: 12 & up

Cost: $65 members / $75 non-members

Monday, July 20 @ 6:00pm

Join instructor Brandy Rammel for a relaxing and creative introduction to kinusaiga, a traditional Japanese-inspired fabric art technique that uses layered textiles to create beautiful, quilt-like designs without sewing. It sounds complicated – but believe us when we say this is VERY beginner friendly and so much fun.

In this hands-on class, participants will work on an 8” x 8” framed board, learning how to design and assemble a finished textile artwork using fabric. All supplies are fully included, making it easy for beginners and experienced crafters alike to jump right in. Students may choose from a selection of prepared designs or bring their own simple sketch to personalize their piece.

This special on-location workshop will be held at Saisaki, an Asian fusion restaurant, creating a unique creative atmosphere where art and dining culture meet. Plan on ordering something yummy and/or grabbing a fun drink (they even have BOBA)!

Class Details:

• 📍 Location: Saisaki, Van Wert, OH
• 📅 Date: Jul 20th
• 🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
• 🎨 Supplies: All materials included
• 👥 Ages: 12 & up

Cost: $35 members / $45 non-members

Ages 5 & under

2 Saturday Sessions – July 11 & 25

9:30am-10:15am

Little artists are invited to squish, sculpt, and “play in the mud” during this fun and sensory-friendly clay experience designed especially for children ages 5 & under!

In this 2-session class, toddlers and their accompanying adult will explore clay together in a relaxed, creative environment while making a one-of-a-kind ceramic keepsake. The first session will focus on sculpting and creating with clay, encouraging imaginative play and hands-on exploration. During the second session, young artists will return to paint and glaze their finished pieces with colorful ceramic glazes.

After glazing, all artwork will be kiln-fired by the Wassenberg Art Center team, and families will be notified when their creations are ready for pickup.

Perfect for little hands, messy fun, and making special memories together!

Toddler Clay Experience
Ages 5 & under
Adult participation required
2 total sessions: Create + Glaze

Ages 11-17

6 Sessions (Tue & Thu) – July 7, 9, 21, 23, 28 & 30

1pm to 3pm

This summer, teen artists ages 11–17 are invited to explore hand-built ceramics and creative clay techniques with instructor Maisee Short in a relaxed, student-inspired studio environment.

Projects will be shaped by students’ individual interests and personalities while introducing a variety of ceramic techniques such as slab building and coil construction. Students may create anything from functional mugs and bowls to imaginative sculptures, architectural pieces, and more — all with room for creative choice and self-expression.

Throughout the 6-session series, students will complete multiple hand-built projects while developing technical skills, artistic confidence, and their own creative style.

For students interested in wheel throwing, Maisee may also offer demonstrations and one-on-one opportunities to try the pottery wheel while other students continue working on their projects. This added experience gives older students a chance to explore another exciting area of ceramics in a supportive, flexible setting.

Perfect for teens who want to experiment with clay, develop new skills, and create artwork that reflects their unique interests and ideas.

June Youth Clay Club
Ages11-17
6 total sessions in June

Ages 6-10

6 Sessions (Tue & Thu) – July 7, 9, 21, 23, 28 & 30

10am to 12pm

This summer, young artists ages 6–10 are invited to explore the world of clay with instructor Maisee Short in a fun, creativity-centered Youth Clay Club!

Designed to encourage imagination and self-expression, each project will be student-inspired and personality-driven. Students will learn a variety of hand-building techniques including slab building and coil construction while creating unique pieces based on their own interests and ideas. One class might feature slab-built creations like barns, fairy houses, or imaginative structures, while another may focus on coil-built mugs, bowls, and more.

Throughout the 6-session series, students will experiment with multiple ceramic projects in a supportive, playful environment that gives them both creative freedom and artistic guidance. Every piece will reflect the individuality and creativity of the young artist who made it!

Perfect for kids who love to create, explore, and get their hands messy this summer.

June Youth Clay Club
Ages 6–10
6 total sessions in June

Sunday, July 19, 1pm

Thursday, July 16, 6pm

Two Wednesday Sessions, July 22 & 29, 6pm

Take your clay creativity outdoors! In this fun, nature-inspired class, we’ll explore the Wassenberg grounds and gather natural materials such as stones, bark, leaves, branches, and other interesting textures to use in our clay work. Participants are also encouraged to bring natural textures of their own if they wish.

Participants will create a nature-inspired clay tray using textures collected from the outdoors. In addition, they will explore the Japanese pottery technique of Kurinuki, transforming a solid block of clay into a unique vessel by carving and hollowing it out. Both projects will be decorated with natural textures and patterns found in the environment.

This two-session class begins with creating and decorating your tray and Kurinuki vessel. After bisque firing, we’ll meet again to glaze our pieces and prepare them for their final firing.

For the second session, participants will gather for a relaxing evening of glazing in our art park. Our cash bar will also be available during both sessions.

Participants will be notified by email  when finished pieces are ready for pickup.

All supplies included. Welcome to ages 13 & up.

Saturday, July 18, 10am-12pm

2 Wednesday Evening Sessions – Aug 5 & 19, 6pm

Get creative with clay in this fun and sculptural skill-building, Pinch Pots with Personality, class! Students will start by forming a functional pinch pot, then take it to the next level by learning all the different hand building techniques to add sculptural details to the surface. From attaching elements to refining textures and shapes, participants will explore ways to transform a simple pinch pot into a unique work of art.

We’ll focus on face sculpting, exploring how to create expressive features, while also experimenting with a variety of themed decorative elements to make each piece unique. Throughout the process, students will learn proper attachment techniques, how to build dimension, and how to construct durable, well-formed pieces.

To finish, students will be introduced to both underglazes and high-fire glazes, learning how each can enhance their designs with color and surface effects. By the end of the class, each participant will have a one-of-a-kind sculpted pinch pot, ready to display or gift.

🎨 Beginner-friendly – no experience needed
🖌️ All materials included
👩‍👩‍👧 Ages 13 & up
📍 Space is LIMITED – sign up today!

Last Thursday of the month*, 6pm

(*June’s session will be June 18)

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