Class 53. Ceramic Hand-building: Coffee Vessels with Tia Hill | Athenaeum Art Center

2 Tuesdays and 1 Thursday, 6–9 PM
January 7, 9, and 14
(3 days, 9 total hours of instruction)
AAC Art Studio

How do you like your coffee? Made with your own two hands! Let’s move away from the disposable cup and make something that lasts.

In this beginner-friendly course, students will learn hand-building techniques—pinch, coil, and slab—to create functional drinking vessels.

We will give special attention to coffee cups to encourage students to enhance their own morning coffee rituals; however, any favorite beverage will fit.

We will learn to handbuild:

mugs (cups with handles)

tumblers (cups without handles)

espresso cups

matching saucers

matcha bowls

pour over coffee drippers

While this is a beginner-friendly course, intermediate and advanced students may join.

Students will learn how to:

Wedge clay

Roll out slabs using a rolling pin and wooden guides

Utilize hand-building techniques for form and function

Use templates

Compress & strengthen clay to reduce air bubbles, cracks, and warping during the drying process

Make handles

Trim and carve into leather hard clay

Apply decoration and texture

Glaze vessels and reduce mishaps

Materials: Clay will be provided. Please purchase a standard-size rolling pin and beginner’s pottery tool kit. Tools can be purchased locally at Freeform Ceramics in National City. We will also learn how to improvise tools with common household items.

Please bring a notebook / sketchbook to class to keep track of wonderful ideas.

Max students: 12