The Champaign Park District offers a full range of ceramics classes for anyone ages 6 and up. Classes are taught by experienced instructors who are gifted at bringing out the artist in you. Their wealth of experience, education, and knowledge will truly make this an enjoyable experience for you and/or your family. We also offer group workshops.
Limit Time Ceramics
Create Your Own Workshop
Bring your friends, family, co-workers, or school group to a unique Pots-Abilities Workshop! We will design a project based on your group’s interests. Contact Liza at liza.wynette@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2376 to schedule a workshop at least one month in advance.
CLAY FOR A DAY! | NEW!
Ages 18+
Experience the pottery wheel in a fun and relaxed environment. You will learn the basics of wheel throwing and make a piece to keep! No experience needed!
- September 15 | Deadline: September 8
- October 20 | Deadline: October 13
- November 17 | Deadline: November 10
Day: Friday
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Time: 6-8pm
Fee (R/NR): $36/$54 per person
Questions: liza.wynette@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2376
MONSTER MANIA
Ages 6-12
Let your imagination run wild and create a medley of monsters! Fierce or friendly? Fangs or fins? We will use air dry clay and modeling tools to sculpt a unique monster that you can take home the same day! Sign up for one day or two!
DATE | DEADLINE
- October 14 | October 7
- October 21 | October 14
Day: Saturday
Location: Martens Center
Time: 11:30a-12:30p
Fee (R/NR): $10/$15
Questions: liza.wynette@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2376
HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS
Ages 6-12
Celebrate the winter season by creating festive ornaments in this kid-friendly workshop. We will use air dry clay and modeling tools to sculpt ornaments that you can take home the same day. Sign up for one day or all four!
DATE | DEADLINE
- October 28 | October 21
- November 4 | October 28
- November 11 | November 4
- November 18 | November 11
Day: Saturday
Location: Martens Center
Time: 2:30-3:30p
Fee (R/NR):$10/$13.50
Questions: liza.wynette@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2376
WINTER HOLIDAY WORKSHOP
Ages 16+
Make your own ceramic holiday decorations! Choose from a variety of winter-themed projects including ornaments, trivets, dishes, and candle holders. Our staff will introduce basic hand-building techniques to get you started – no experience needed!
Date: December 1 – 8
Day: Friday
Time: 6-8pm
Fee (R/NR): $52/$78
Deadline: November 24
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Questions: liza.wynette@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2376
COCOA MUGS AND SPOONS | NEW!
Ages 16+
Create a festive mug and ceramic spoon for your favorite hot beverage! Participants will learn the basics of clay slab-building and sculpting techniques – no prior experience needed! Finished pottery is food, microwave, and dishwasher safe.
Date: December 2 & 9
Day: Saturday
Location: Martens Center
Time: 1:30-3:30p
Fee (R/NR): $62/$93
Deadline: November 25
Questions: liza.wynette@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2376
Youth Ceramics
POTTERY FOR KIDS I
Ages 6-10
Kids will learn hand-building techniques and create weekly ceramics projects. They will finish their pottery with colorful underglazes.
Dates:
- September 5 – October 10 | Tu | Deadline: August 29
- September 7 – October 12 | Th | Deadline: August 31
- October 24 – December 5* | Tu | Deadline: October 17
- October 26 – December 7* | Tu | Deadline: October 19
No Class*: November 21 & 23
Time: 4-5p
Fee (R/NR): $96/$144
Location: Springer Cultural Center
POTTERY FOR KIDS II
Ages 9-12
Kids will learn handbuilding methods and create weekly ceramics projects, and finish their pottery with colorful ceramic underglazes.
Date:
- September 6 – October 11 | W | Deadline: August 30
- October 25 – December 6* | W | Deadline: October 18
No Class*: November 22
Time: 4-5p
Fee (R/NR): $96/$144
Location: Springer Cultural Center
POTTERY FOR TEENS
Ages 13-17
Teens will learn hand-building techniques to create functional and sculptural projects. They will also have the opportunity to try the pottery wheel. All skill levels are welcome.
Date:
- September 9 – October 14 | Sa | Deadline: September 2
- October 28 – December 9* | Sa | Deadline: October 21
No Class*: November 25
Time: 10-11:30a
Fee (R/NR): $124/$174
Location: Spring Cultural Center
Adult Ceramics
STUDIO CERAMICS
Ages 18+
Explore the world of ceramics through a variety of beginner-friendly projects! Students will learn basic hand-building techniques and create functional and sculptural pieces. Students will also have the option to try the pottery wheel. Advances students can refine their skills with self-guided projects. All experience levels are welcome.
- September 11 – October 16 | M | 6-8:30p | Fee (R/NR): $168/$218| Deadline: September 4
- October 23 – December 4* | M | 6-8:30p | Fee (R/NR): $168/$218| Deadline: October 16
- September 9 – October 14 | Sa | 12:30-2:30p | Fee (R/NR): $154/$204 | Deadline: September 2
- October 28 – December 9* | Sa | 12:30-2:30p | Fee (R/NR): $154/$204 | Deadline: October 21
No Class*: November 20 & 25
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Questions: liza.wynette@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2376
INDEPENDENT STUDIO CERAMICS | NEW!
Ages 18+
This class is intended for experienced students who would like to work independently. An instructor will be available in the studio to answer questions and offer feedback. There will not be any formal instruction during the class. Fee includes all clay, glazes, and firing costs.
Prerequisite: Beginning Wheel Throwing and/or Studio Ceramics
- September 5 – October 10 | Tu | 10a-12p | Deadline: August 29
- October 24 – December 5* | Tu | 10a-12p | Deadline: October 17
No Class*: November 21
Fee (R/NR): $154/$204
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Questions: liza.wynette@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2376
MASTER CLASS SERIES: TRAYS AND PLATTERS
Ages 18+
In this 2-week workshop, Liza Wynette will demonstrate how to design and construct beautiful serving dishes using slabs and molds. Learn how to roll slabs by hand, refine rims, make invisible seams, and craft elegant handles. Participants will create a tray or platter during the first class and glaze during the second class.
Required Prerequisite: Experience working with clay slabs.
Days: Friday
Date: October 6 & 13
Time: 10a-12:30p
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Fee (R/NR): $56/$84
Deadline: September 29
Instructor: Liza Wynette
Questions: liza.wynette@champaignparks.org
MASTER CLASS SERIES: DEMYSTIFYING GLAZES
Ages 18+
In this one-day workshop, Liza Wynette will demystify glazes and the glazing process. Learn about common glaze ingredients and how they influence surface quality and color. Liza will also cover proper glaze application, making test tiles, troubleshooting glaze defects, and exploring over-the-counter glazes. Participants will not be creating work during the workshop.
Required Prerequisite: At least one Studio Ceramics or Wheel Throwing course with the Champaign Park District.
Days: Saturday
Date: October 21
Time: 10a-12p
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Fee (R/NR): $28/$42
Deadline: October 14
Instructor: Liza Wynette
Questions: liza.wynette@champaignparks.org
HOLIDAY CANDLE LIGHTS
Ages 18+
Create your own special Hanukkah Menorah or Kwanzaa Kinara to light up the winter nights! During the first class, we will sculpt unique modern designs to hold candles of your choice; during the second class we will apply glazes. Your projects will be ready to use in time for Hanukkah and Kwanzaa celebrations! No prior experience needed. (All ceramic material are provided. Candles not included.)
Days: Fridays
Date: October 27 & November 3
Time: 6p-8p
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Fee (R/NR): $52/$78
Deadline: October 20
Instructor: Kristi Emilsson
Questions: liza.wynette@champaignparks.or
Wheel Throwing
BEGINNING WHEEL THROWING
Ages 18+
Learn the fundamentals of working with clay on the potter’s wheel – no prior experience needed! Students will be introduced to basic throwing techniques, as well as trimming handles, and glazing.
- September 5 – October 10 | Tu | Deadline: August 29
- October 24 – December 5* | Tu | Deadline: October 17
- September 6 – October 11 | W | Deadline: August 30
- October 25 – December 6* | W | Deadline: October 18
No Class*: November 21 – 22
Time: 6-8p
Fee (R/NR): $154/$204
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Questions: liza.wynette@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2376
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED WHEEL THROWING
Ages 18+
This class is for students who have basic wheel experience and want to refine their skills.
Prerequisite: Beginning Wheel Throwing
Required Skills: Ability to center 1lb of clay and throw a 4″ cylinder
- September 7 – October 12 | Th | Deadline: August 31
- October 26 – December 7* | Th | Deadline: October 19
No Class*: November 23
Time: 6-8:30p
Fee (R/NR): $168/$218
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Questions: liza.wynette@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2376
OPEN STUDIO TIME
Ages 18+ with experience (must have taken two sessions of Park District pottery classes)
Get more time outside of class! Open Studio is available to patrons that have taken at least 2 CPD ceramics courses, or can prove comparable prior experience. Patrons register for the season, but pay by the hour as they go. Open studio is not supervised and does not include instruction. The hourly fee does include the use of all studio materials (clay, glazes) and firing of all work. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own tools and a towel. Open Studio is scheduled when classes are not using the studio; most availability is M-F, 9am-4pm. Evenings and weekends are usually *not* available.
Sign up is based on availability. Contact liza.wynette@champaignparks.org or the Springer Front Desk at 217-398-2376 for more information or to be placed on the waitlist.
Downloads
For questions regarding our pottery program, please contact Liza Wynette.
Questions: liza.wynette@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2376.
