6-Week Intro to Clay Sculptures Class 11/8 - 12/20 (no class 11/29)

Finally, our highly anticipated 6-week intro to clay sculpture class for all levels is here! Our goal in this class is to give you the best possible clay education while keeping the vibe and atmosphere fun and inviting. Specifically, we will cover how to prepare and approach sculpture, building techniques, helpful advice, and guidance throughout your sessions. Advanced students will be given room to explore and will be guided towards their goals. This 6-week course will meet every Saturday beginning November 8th from 10 am - 1 pm, with the final class being held on December 20th (no class on 11/29). There is one make-up session per person per class if you are sick or life gets in the way. Please email us if you need to reschedule, and we will coordinate with you! :) *PRO TIP: Bring a notebook of some sort (graph paper may be preferred).

Check out the agenda section next for a breakdown of what we have planned for each week. Additionally, we have a 4-week intro pottery class on Tuesday nights in November and 1-day pottery workshops all listed now through the end of 2025! Visit our events page for a full list of happenings :)

All classes and workshops are open to anyone over the age of 10 years old (unless otherwise stated), and any person under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Note: Shahane will be the instructor! She has taught pottery since 2016, got her BFA in ceramic arts in 2015 with a double minor in art history and psychology, and owns Pudgy's Place with her husband Phillip :)

Address: Pudgy's Place, 119R Foster St. Bldg. 13 Unit 1E, Peabody MA, 01960

Info: Week 1: Welcome! We start by discussing the three main ways of sculpting with fire clay, along with a mini-lecture on ergonomics and structural stability - respecting the clay's needs instead of forcing it to bend to your will. We'll take some time to sketch out our projects and ideas for the class on paper and then create 3D models of our vision, also known as mini sculpture sketches.

Info: Week 2: Slab bases and coil armatures! Today, we start building up your pieces and start to create the form. Depending on everyone's vision, each person will be prompted to use slightly different techniques to execute their goal. Demos and personal assistance will be given!

Info: Week 3: Continuing to build toward your vision with assistance and demos when needed. The goal at the end of this class is to have the main body of your sculpture made to start playing with textures and details when we return.

Info: Week 4: Details + Textures! Utilizing textures, stamps, sprigs, and engravings will be the fun design portion of this session! Does your creature need fur? Is the castle missing scaffolding? Should the gnome's nose be rounder? All these thoughts are happening now!

Info: Week 5: Final Touches! They will be going in the kiln shortly after this, so all delicate attachments need to be coated in wax. All final carvings and underglaze should be done at this time.

Info: Week 6: The final day of this session - glaze, glaze, glaze it all! We will go over the basics of glazing and some cool alterations and tricks. *NOTE: None of our glazes has toxic or dangerous minerals. If you'd like to continue taking classes, we encourage you to visit our events page or website to see our current offerings! If you'd like to continue independently, join our multimedia studio, Pudgy's Place, as a member! :) *Pieces glazed today will have to be picked up the following week, or can be shipped to you for an additional fee.

Also check out other Workshops in Peabody, Arts events in Peabody.