Join us for a class at The Bray!
Whether you’re a total beginner or looking to inspire your existing studio practice – The Bray offers Adult (16+) continuing education classes for all ages, abilities, and backgrounds! *NEW IN 2024* Our Continuing Education Classes are now 10 weeks long and meet for 3 hours once a week! Students are taught by professional artists and have access to open studio time 7 days a week from 8am-10pm (outside of other scheduled classes) to practice what they're learning.
We offer 2 sessions annually, Spring and Fall. General registration typically opens 6 weeks prior to the start of classes, with early member registration opening a week before general registration. Become a member today to receive access to early registration!
DISCOVER BELOW:
- Upcoming session information
- Our current class offerings
- Frequently asked questions
- Our current classroom policies, details on experience levels, and our online classroom calendar!
Upcoming Session Information
2025 Spring Sessions
For questions, email our Education Manager at education@archiebray.org
Throw Your Life Away!
Mondays 6-9pm, Feb 10 - April 21 (no class March 24th)
Instructor: Sarah Alsaied
Throw Your Life Away while discovering the endless possibilities of the wheel. Learn the basics of clay, wheel throwing, altering techniques, even hand building methods! Next up, discover alternative and atmospheric firing methods to create unique functional and sculptural art. All levels are welcome but this class is best suited for beginner students. Find out more about instructor and long term Resident Artists, Sarah Alsaied, here!
Not a beginner but interested in atmospheric firings? Check out the Introduction to Woodfiring workshop-style class below.
*A minimum of 6 is required to run this class
Level: Beginner
Cost: $385 + $15 lab fee (to cover atmospheric firing costs). Please see FAQ section at bottom of page to see what's included with your registration fees.
Designing Surface
Tuesdays 6-9pm, Feb 11 - April 22 (no class March 25th)
Instructor: Eliza Weber
Join long term Resident Artist Eliza Weber for a class focused specifically on ceramic surface and decoration techniques. Learn a variety of additive and subtractive methods on both hand built and wheel thrown forms at the greenware, bisque, and glaze stages of the ceramic process. Demonstrations will cover a large span of surface possibilities including stamps, springs, stencils, inlay, monoprints, water etching and carving. Expect to gain information and inspiration in this surface heavy class! Learn more about Eliza here.
Best suited for intermediate to advanced level students as some experience in clay is required.
*A minimum of 6 is required to run this class
Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Cost: $385. Please see FAQ section at bottom of page to see what's included with your registration fees.
From Inspired to Intended Forms
Wednesdays, 9:30am-12:30pm, Feb 12 - April 23 (no class March 26th)
Instructor: Jason Lee Starin
Leverage simple hand building techniques, leather-hard staging, and basic geometric shapes with long term Resident Artist Jason Lee Starin. Develop an understanding of how to break down complex sculptural forms into systematic approaches of making in clay. Take your ideas from inspiration to intentional forms in this beginner to intermediate class! Discover more about Jason and his work, here.
*A minimum of 6 is required to run this class
Level: Beginner - Intermediate
Cost: $385. Please see FAQ section at bottom of page to see what's included with your registration fees.
Approaching Clay The Beginners Way
Wednesdays, 6-9pm, Feb 12 - April 23 (no class March 26th)
Instructor: Laura Dirksen
One of the beauties of clay is its infinite avenues of possibilities, but this can quickly become overwhelming. Worry not, as Approaching Clay The Beginners Way was developed to narrow in on the realm of options. Join Resident, Laura Dirksen, as she breaks it down and guides you through three seemingly simple techniques while still allowing for personalize exploration. Discover how focusing in on one wheel, one hand building, and one glazing technique will give you the time to develop foundational skills while ensuring creative outlet is prioritized in this class specifically designed for new to clay students! Learn more about Laura, here.
*A minimum of 6 is required to run this class
Level: Beginners!
Cost: $385. Please see FAQ section at bottom of page to see what's included with your registration fees.
Wild Adornment: An Exploration of The Applied Surface In Clay
Saturday's 10am-1pm, Feb 15 - April 26 (no class March 29th)
Instructor: Joanna Powell
Explore the power of ornament and decoration to make your pieces pop! Join Bray Alumni Joanna Powell and learn to breathe life into traditional ceramic methods of decoration through the use of coils, braids, sprigs, and so much more to create the 21st century work you've been thirsting for. Discover more about Joanna here.
*A minimum of 6 is required to run this class
Level: Intermediate
Cost: $385. Please see FAQ section at bottom of page to see what's included with your registration fees.
You Might Also Be Interested In:
Introduction to Woodfiring; Workshop-Style Class
Class Meets: April 5 & 6th 10am - 1pm
Kiln Firing: April 12 - 13th
Kiln Unloading: April 19th 10am-1pm
Instructor: Jake Brodsky
Learn the ins and outs of woodfiring, in this workshop-style class! Spanning three consecutive weekends, students will learn about and actively participate from start to finish in the wood firing process through glazing work, loading, firing, and cleaning up afterwards. Expect to fire The Bray's Train Kiln over the course of a 48 hour period, learn about, and achieve effects that are unique to the process.
Students will be given information in advance regarding what clays to use, what to think about when making work for a wood kiln, and expectations for the class. Each student can expect to get 6cu ft of work fired, but more importantly, learn lots about the process of wood firing! Discover more about Jake here.
Before Signing Up, Please Note that to enroll in this workshop-style class it is necessary to:
- Be available for every class session before and after the firing, and to be available for (at minimum) a 6-hour shift on the kiln the weekend of the firing.
- understand there is no studio time/making time as a part of this class.
- understand this class is intended for students who are enrolled in another Continuing Education class or have studio access elsewhere.
*A minimum of 8 is required to run this class
Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Cost: $200
Experience Levels
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Beginner
My experience in clay is limited or long ago, and I'm not very comfortable working independently. I'm seeking to learn basic clay techniques and am excited to have a good time while learning something new!
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Intermediate
My understanding of clay basics is strong but I still have lot of questions. Having taken multiple classes before, I feel comfortable working independently but I'm ready to expand my knowledge and advance my skills!
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Advanced
My clay knowledge is expansive! I have taken classes while exploring clay independently for years. At this stage, I am looking to challenge myself with new perspectives, insights, and understandings in clay!
FAQ
Classroom Calendar
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Current Students
Use our online classroom calendar to see the most up-to-date classroom schedule. Select the month by using the tabs at the bottom of the spread sheet.
PLEASE NOTE: When viewing the calendar, if you leave your browsing session open, make sure to refresh your page to view the most recent version of the calendar. Classes are added as they develop, so refresh often!
See what classes are happening before making a trip!
Policies
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Please read prior to taking a class with us
Click "Full Text" below to find information relevant to our Continuing Education Classes, and Facility Policies.
We appreciate you taking the time to better understand our policies. Please read prior to taking a class with us - we aim to keep it short and sweet so as not to waste your time!
Get the full text
