An introduction to creating functional pottery for those new to the pottery wheel. Learn the building blocks of centering clay and pulling cylinders, then use these skills to create bowls, mugs, and other forms. Smooth and refine your pots after trimming and practice glazing techniques. Build the skills and confidence to continue throwing independently in our open studios.

This class is open to beginners only who are 18+. All supplies included in class fee.

Tuesdays beginning September 1, 3-6pm for 6 weeks

ISU $170/Public $180

Instructor: Bree Engelhardt

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Explore ways to work more efficiently on the wheel! Valerie will demonstrate small modifications and techniques that can improve your pieces and save time. Learn to throw with less water for stronger pots, collar pots with a claw, try different ways to make a gallery, and use your rib to make waves in your clay.

This is perfect for those looking to expand their technical skills, but it is not for beginners. Students must have the skills and confidence to center, bring up an even wall, and pull out a floor to be eligible for this class.

Open to ages 18+. Clay for practicing is included in the class fee; production clay is not included.

Wednesday beginning September 2, 5:30-8:30pm for 2 weeks

ISU $67/Public $77

Instructor: Valerie Williams

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Level up your throwing skills with a focus on functional pieces designed for pouring. Begin with smaller vessels, like cream pitchers, and progress to larger, more complex forms, such as a teapot with a thrown tubular spout. Particular attention will be paid to achieving the correct placement of handles and spouts for balance and ease of pouring.  

This is perfect for those looking to expand their technical skills, but it is not for beginners. Students must have the skills and confidence to center, bring up an even wall, and pull out a floor to be eligible for this class.

Open to ages 18+. All supplies included in class fee.

Thursdays beginning September 10, 6-8:30pm for 4 weeks

ISU $125/Public $135

Instructor: Greg Lamont

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Learn the building blocks of centering clay and pulling cylinders, then use these skills to create bowls, mugs, and other forms. Smooth and refine your pots after trimming and practice glazing techniques. Build the skills and confidence to continue throwing independently in our open studios. 

This class is open to beginners or those who need a review of the basics to get back into throwing on the wheel who are 18+. All supplies included in class fee.

Wednesdays beginning September 23, 6-8:30pm for 8 weeks

ISU $190/Public $200

Instructor: Valerie Williams

This class is full. Email workspace@iastate.edu to be placed on the waitlist.

Gelli printing is a hands-on, expressive way to make art through a spontaneous process that produces papers rich with color and texture. Experimentation is encouraged-no two prints are exactly alike! Choose your favorite prints to use as covers for two soft-covered booklets, then bind them with a pamphlet stitch, an easy technique to learn and replicate on your own.

Open to ages 18+. All supplies included in class fee.

Wednesdays beginning September 2, 6-8pm for 2 weeks

ISU $46/Public $56

Instructor: Rhonda Scott

This class is full. Email workspace@iastate.edu to be placed on a waitlist.

Make a pair of earrings with cheerful lemons or sweet strawberries. Begin with simple hand-stitching, add a bit of stuffing for dimension, and assemble your earrings with jump rings and ear wires.  You'll leave class with a finished pair of berry cute earrings and enough supplies to make a couple more pairs at home. No sewing experience needed.

Open to ages 18+. All supplies included in class fee.

Monday, September 14 from 6:30-8:30pm

ISU $26/Public $36

Instructor: Judy Lemish

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Encaustic medium is a mixture of beeswax and natural tree resin applied hot, creating translucent, layered paintings, prints, and collages. Learn how to layer and control molten wax, add paint, and create one-of-a-kind prints on paper. You’ll also learn the basics of cyanotype, a camera-free photographic process that uses sunlight to create rich blue images. Your cyanotype will become part of your final encaustic collage, along with photos, papers, cutouts, letters, and other ephemera, assembled with wax on a 6” x 6” board. A variety of papers will be provided for experimentation, but participants are encouraged to bring a few of their own special papers or photos to incorporate.

Open to ages 18+. All supplies included in class fee.

Thursdays beginning September 17, 3-5pm for 2 weeks

ISU $42/Public $52

Instructor: Maureen Burke

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Using beginner tools and a soft linoleum block, learn the art of relief printmaking. Carve a pattern, illustration, symbol, or phrase onto a 4” x 6” block and make an edition (set) of 15 prints on paper. Students have the option to participate in the Annual Postcard Print Exchange, hosted by the Campus Print Society, at no additional cost. Leave class with a carved block, prints to gift or share, and the foundational skills to keep printing on your own.

Open to ages 18+. All supplies included in class fee.

Mondays beginning September 21, 6-8pm for 3 weeks

ISU $62/Public $72

Instructor: Kat Schmidt

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Transform three strips of paper into a 3D globe! The name triskele comes from an ancient three-part spiral design, reflected in the three-part construction of these globes. Learn the basic process using printed paper, then create your own design with markers, stickers, cutouts, and more. Turn your globe into an ornament or keep it as a small sculptural piece of paper art.

Register for an hour timeslot to hold your space and please come a few minutes early to get checked in. We can only accommodate drop-ins if we have open reservations left that evening.

Open to ages 18+.

Tuesday, September 22 at 4, 5 or 6pm for one hour

ISU Students $8/ISU faculty, staff, and public $10

Instructor: Karen Van Wert

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Make a pendant or ring by layering pieces of colored glass. Create stripes by adding tiny glass rods or sprinkle small flakes of glass “confetti”. Your design will melt together when it’s fired in our kiln and your jewelry will be ready for pickup within a week or two, depending on the number of participants. 

Register for your 20-minute timeslot to hold a space and please come a few minutes early to get checked in. We can only accommodate drop-ins if we have open reservations left that evening.

Open to ages 18+

Thursday, September 3 between 6 and 8pm

$10 for ISU students/$12 for ISU faculty/staff and public

Instructor: Rhonda Scott

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Turn a strip of metal into a wearable work of art. In this beginner-friendly workshop, learn foundational metalworking skills while creating a custom ring with hammered texture. A practice piece will be made with copper, and the final will be in sterling silver.

Open to ages 18+. All supplies included in class fee.

Tuesday, September 15 from 5:30-8:30pm

ISU $50/Public $60

Instructor: John Burright

This class is full. Email workspace@iastate.edu to be placed on the waitlist.

Learn the fundamentals of our woodworking equipment and which tool to choose for the job at hand. Practice using the machinery while making a handy key rack to take home after class. Safety is a Workspace priority, so this orientation is required to use the woodshop independently.

Open to ages 18+. All supplies included in class fee.

Thursday, September 10 from 4-7pm OR Monday, October 5 from 5-8pm

ISU and Public $35

Instructor: John Burright

Register for September 10 on MIDWESTIX

Register for October 5 on MIDWESTIX