Ceramics

Goodbye, horizontal tyranny.

Join artist Marissa Childers to make ceramics that decorate your wall. Make a wall pocket; hang it on the wall. Make a plate; hang it on the wall. Make a ceramic shelf; hang it on the wall and use it to display other ceramics on ceramics on ceramics. Wear a long tunic and carry a flaming ceramic chandelier. Candle making skills not included in this class. Gothic tunic-making skills not included in this class. Fire-fighting skills, from long tunics meeting portable flaming chandeliers, are also not included in this class.

No experience necessary.

Course syllabus and materials list available Feb. 24

Open Studio time is included with registration. Open Studio allows currently enrolled students to work on their projects in Oklahoma Contemporary’s studios outside of class meetings. Availability varies weekly and times are posted outside each studio.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Ceramics

This course focuses exclusively on the potter’s wheel. Expanding on the techniques covered in Introduction to Ceramics, this class will improve your skills on the wheel. You will make mugs, cups and bowls while learning more about firing techniques, temperatures and atmospheres.

Course syllabus and materials list available Feb. 24.

Open Studio time is included with registration. Open Studio allows currently enrolled students to work on their projects in Oklahoma Contemporary’s studios outside of class meetings. Availability varies weekly, and times are posted outside each studio.

Want to enroll in Wheel Throwing 1 but haven’t taken Introduction to Ceramics? Special admittance to the class is granted on a case-by-case-basis pending approval from David Stevens, Manager of Ceramics Program and Studio. Email: dstevens@okcontemp.org for more information.

Prerequisites: Beginners welcome, no experience necessary.

Learn to create sculptural forms and functional vessels like mugs, plates and bowls. This course introduces the two main techniques of ceramic arts: hand building and wheel throwing. We begin with a focus on hand building skills, such as pinching, coiling and slab building. In the second half of class, you’ll learn how to use the potter’s wheel. The class also touches on the science and art of slips, glazes and textures as well as historic and contemporary ceramic artists.

Have fun, create functional art and remind your fingers they can do more than scroll.

If you need a ceramics tool-kit you can purchase it ($30) on the first day. You'll also need to purchase a 25 lb bag of clay on the first day. The cost of clay ranges from $17-21 per 25 lb bag.

Course syllabus and materials list will be available Feb. 24.

Open Studio time is included with registration. Open Studio allows currently enrolled students to work on their projects in Oklahoma Contemporary’s studios outside of class meetings. Availability varies weekly, and times are posted outside each studio.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Ceramics, Wheel Throwing 1

Join artist Liv Egan to increase your proficiency on the potter’s wheel. In this class, you’ll learn how to make advanced forms, such as lidded and pouring vessels, as well as get an introduction to various methods of creating texture. In addition to learning new firing procedures, you’ll experiment with surface adornment techniques, such as slip trailing, sgraffito, wax resist, under glaze and glaze application.

Course syllabus and materials list available Feb. 24.

Open Studio time is included with registration. Open Studio allows currently enrolled students to work on their projects in Oklahoma Contemporary’s studios outside of class meetings. Availability varies weekly and times are posted outside each studio.

This class is only available to military veterans.

No class Easter Sunday, April 9.

This free class is available exclusively to military veterans. Explore the fundamentals of creating and understanding art alongside other veterans. Course projects vary according to semester and instructor, but generally include ceramics, drawing and painting. No previous art experience is necessary, but a simple application form is required. Enrollment is limited, and approved applicants will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Open Studio* time is included with registration.

Applications open February 13.
Applications close March 20.

Apply here!

Course syllabus available Feb. 24.

Open Studio time is included with registration. Open Studio allows currently enrolled students to work on their projects in Oklahoma Contemporary’s studios outside of class meetings. Availability varies weekly, and times are posted outside each studio.

Looking for an opportunity to work independently in the Wheel Throwing and Hand Building Studio? Eight-week rentals occur during Studio School's sessions.

Rentals space is shared and semi private. Rental prices do not include clay or firing costs. Full-time renters receive a discount on firing costs.

Full-day rentals (M-F 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., weekends 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.): $595
Half-day rentals AM (M-F 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., weekends 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.): $300
Half-day rentals PM (M-F 4-8 p.m., weekends 2-5 p.m.): $300

Renters must purchase clay from Studio School or may use their own clay with prior approval of David Stevens.

To secure your rental, email dstevens@okcontemp.org.

Back by popular demand! Re-enact your favorite pottery scenes from the movie Ghost without the inconvenience of your significant other getting murdered. We can’t promise helpful advice from a psychic, but we do think you and your companion will have a great time learning to use the potter’s wheel and making a small bowl.

Bring a date, bring a friend, bring anyone you want as long as your partner is actually alive.

No experience necessary! Registration is limited to four couples. Pick up your fired and finished bowl about two weeks after the workshop. We’ll call you when it’s ready.

Registration closes March 27.

If the workshop is postponed due to weather or unforeseen instructor circumstances, the rain date is April 17.

No class March 14.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Ceramics.

Learn to utilize slip trailing beyond traditional flat surface decorations. This class teaches slip trailing as a unique sculpting method for creating 3-D designs on top of clay forms and also making delicate stand-alone sculptures. Achieve a high level of detail at a small scale, and experiment with making multiples.

Course syllabus

Working from reference photos and drawings, you’ll learn how to translate layers of slip into forms and also how different slip consistencies alter aesthetics. You’ll also learn how to add colorants to achieve unique results.

Work with artist Marissa Childers to create a butter dish—your butter deserves a better home than a cardboard box. No ceramic experience necessary.

Pick up your fired and finished butta dish about a week later. Don’t worry; we will call you when it’s ready.

Registration closes April 10.

If the workshop is postponed due to weather or unforeseen instructor circumstances, the rain date is April 20.

Join us for a two-day, hands-on workshop as we dive into the topic of Raku ceramics. Together, we'll explore traditional Japanese Raku as it relates to religious and cultural practices and its later expression among American ceramicists in the mid-1900s. During the first workshop session, you'll use hand building techniques to create tea bowls. We'll meet the following weekend to glaze and fire your works using the Raku process.

This in-person workshop will take place outside and the Raku process can be messy, so dress accordingly. Open to students of all levels. All materials and tools are included.

Registration closes April 10.

If the workshop is postponed due to weather or unforeseen instructor circumstances, the rain date is May 21.

Work with artist Marissa Childers to create a ceramic pouring vessel. No ceramic experience necessary. Pick up your fired and finished pour vessel about a week later. We will call you when it’s ready.

Registration closes April 24.

If the workshop is postponed due to weather or unforeseen instructor circumstances, the rain date is May 4.

Join us for a two-day, hands-on workshop as we dive into the topic of Raku ceramics. Together, we'll explore traditional Japanese Raku as it relates to religious and cultural practices and its later expression among American ceramicists in the mid-1900s. During the first workshop session, you'll use hand building techniques to create tea bowls. We'll meet the following weekend to glaze and fire your works using the Raku process.

This in-person workshop will take place outside and the Raku process can be messy, so dress accordingly. Open to students of all levels. All materials and tools are included.

Registration closes April 24.

If the workshop is postponed due to weather or unforeseen instructor circumstances, the rain date is June 4.

This ceramic bowl and whisk set will make you feel like won a cooking show, even if all your baked goods come from a box or the day-old rack. Don’t bake? No problem: Give your bowl to someone who does, and I bet they’ll bake for you.

Pick up your fired and finished bowl and whisk set about a week later. Don’t worry; we will call you when it’s ready.

Registration closes May 8.

If the workshop is postponed due to weather or unforeseen instructor circumstances, the rain date is June 1.

Celebrate Mother’s Day with your mom, your favorite mother figure or the person you wish were your mother. Studio School defines mothering broadly — bring anyone who supports you and have fun creating a glowing luminaria.

Pick up your fired and finished luminaria about a week later. We will call you when it’s ready.

Registration closes May 9.

If the workshop is postponed due to weather or unforeseen instructor circumstances, the rain date is May 21.

Work with artist Marissa Childers to make a custom charcuterie plate and display your snacks in style. Pick up your fired and finished plate about a week later. Don’t worry; we will call you when it’s ready.

Registration closes May 15.

If the workshop is postponed due to weather or unforeseen instructor circumstances, the rain date is May 25.

Looking for an opportunity to work independently in the Wheel Throwing and Hand Building Studio? Four-week rentals can begin anytime, based on studio availability.

Rentals space is shared and semi private. Rental prices do not include clay or firing costs. Full-time renters receive a discount on firing costs.

Full-day rentals (M-F 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., weekends 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.): $320
Half-day rentals AM (M-F 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., weekends 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.): $160
Half-day rentals PM (M-F 4-8 p.m., weekends 2-5 p.m.): $160

Renters must purchase clay from Studio School or may use their own clay with prior approval of David Stevens.

To secure your rental, email dstevens@okcontemp.org.

Working on a ceramic project and need access to a kiln? Ceramicists in central Oklahoma are invited to use Studio School’s several electric and two large-scale gas kilns, including a salt and soda kiln custom built by Donovan Palmquist of Master Kiln Builders.

Bisque—$7 per cubic foot

Cone 6—$5 per cubic foot

Cone 10—$12 per cubic foot

Cone 10, Soda—$14 per cubic foot

For more information contact us at dstevens@okcontemp.org.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Ceramics

Sold out! Please join the waitlist.

This course focuses exclusively on the potter’s wheel. Expanding on the techniques covered in Introduction to Ceramics, this class will improve your skills on the wheel. You will make mugs, cups and bowls while learning more about firing techniques, temperatures and atmospheres.

Course syllabus and materials list available Feb. 24

Open Studio time is included with registration. Open Studio allows currently enrolled students to work on their projects in Oklahoma Contemporary’s studios outside of class meetings. Availability varies weekly, and times are posted outside each studio.

Want to enroll in Wheel Throwing 1 but haven’t taken Introduction to Ceramics? Special admittance to the class is granted on a case-by-case-basis pending approval from David Stevens, Manager of Ceramics Program and Studio. Email: dstevens@okcontemp.org for more information.

Sold out! Please see the other times this course is being offered or sign up for our waitlist here.

Prerequisites: Beginners welcome, no experience necessary.

Learn to create sculptural forms and functional vessels like mugs, plates and bowls. This course introduces the two main techniques of ceramic arts: hand building and wheel throwing. We begin with a focus on hand building skills, such as pinching, coiling and slab building. In the second half of class, you’ll learn how to use the potter’s wheel. The class also touches on the science and art of slips, glazes and textures as well as historic and contemporary ceramic artists.

If you need a ceramics tool-kit you can purchase it ($30) on the first day. You'll also need to purchase a 25 lb bag of clay on the first day. The cost of clay ranges from $17-21 per 25 lb bag.

Have fun, create functional art and remind your fingers they can do more than scroll.

Course syllabus and materials list will be available Feb. 24.

Open Studio time is included with registration. Open Studio allows currently enrolled students to work on their projects in Oklahoma Contemporary’s studios outside of class meetings. Availability varies weekly, and times are posted outside each studio.

Prerequisites: Beginners welcome, no experience necessary.

Sold Out! Please sign up for the waitlist.

Learn to create sculptural forms and functional vessels like mugs, plates and bowls. This course introduces the two main techniques of ceramic arts: hand building and wheel throwing. We begin with a focus on hand building skills, such as pinching, coiling and slab building. In the second half of class, you’ll learn how to use the potter’s wheel. The class also touches on the science and art of slips, glazes and textures as well as historic and contemporary ceramic artists.

Have fun, create functional art and remind your fingers they can do more than scroll.

If you need a ceramics tool-kit you can purchase it ($30) on the first day. You'll also need to purchase a 25 lb bag of clay on the first day. The cost of clay ranges from $17-21 per 25 lb bag.

Course syllabus and materials list will be available Feb. 24.

Open Studio time is included with registration. Open Studio allows currently enrolled students to work on their projects in Oklahoma Contemporary’s studios outside of class meetings. Availability varies weekly, and times are posted outside each studio.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Ceramics or Wheel Throwing 1 or a hand building class.

Sold Out! Please sign up for the waitlist.
Here’s the class you requested! Experiment with raku, barrel firing and salt kilns. Create and use glaze tests to produce consistent results while also learning the history of these alternative firing methods. Projects will focus on non-functional and sculptural pieces.

Course syllabus and materials list available Feb. 24.

Open Studio time is included with registration. Open Studio allows currently enrolled students to work on their projects in Oklahoma Contemporary’s studios outside of class meetings. Availability varies weekly and times are posted outside each studio.