Understanding Clay Bodies & Reclaim with Brooklin Grantz
- Description
- Class Outline
- Location
- Liability & Safety
In this 4 week course, students will explore what clay is made of and how different clay bodies behave, from porcelain to stoneware to terra cotta. Artist instructor and lead studio tech brooklin grantz will guide participants through creating slips, running shrinkage and absorption tests, and developing sustainable studio habits by mixing plaster to pour their own bats and recycling their own clay from dried scraps to workable material. Over four weeks, students will compare fired slip tests and finish by wedging and forming small vessels from their own handmade and reclaimed clay – perfect for anyone looking to deepen both their clay knowledge and their sustainabllity practices.
Mondays February 2 - February 23 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM (with Brooklin Grantz)
Lessons are as follows:
- Week 1: What is Clay?
- Basic ingredients in a clay body
- Differences between porcelain, stoneware, and terra cotta
- Mining / sustainability
- Clay vs Slip
- Joining slip vs decorative slip
- Making plaster slabs for drying wet clay
- Week 2: Making Clay from Scratch
- Mixing dry clay into slurry
Processing reclaim
- Mixing dry clay into slurry
- Week 3: Shrinkage and Absorption
- The different stages of shrinkage (dry, bisque, glaze)
- Tips for incorporating shrinkage into your design
- Stages of absorption (wet clay, bisque, fired)
- Vitrification, cones, and firing ranges
- Week 4: Now We Have Clay!
- Make small vessels using your own clay made from scratch
- Analyze everyone’s fired slabs and compare slips
Classes meet once a week for 2-hour sessions, with open studio time daily for you to practice on your own.
Course fee includes everything you need: clay and dry materials, glaze, use of studio tools, and firing
In each class session, you will build on what you learned and made the previous week, so we strongly advise you to make sure you’ll be able to attend all class sessions before signing up. It is especially important that you attend the first class, so if you think you might have to miss week 1, please consider enrolling in another session.
Classes are for adults 18 and over; please click on the Policies tab above for more.
Our FAQs page contains more information. Policies
Cancellations made 4 or more days before the start of the class will be refunded. For cancellations made fewer than 4 full days, but more than 24 hours before the start time, a 50% refund or 50% credit toward another class or workshop will be issued. We cannot provide refunds or credits for cancellations or rescheduling requests made fewer than 24 hours before the start time of class, if you miss your class, or arrive too late to participate.
Our classes are for adults. If you have a child under 18 interested in taking a class, please contact us before enrolling.
1600 Altamont Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230
Liability & Safety
All students must agree to the following upon registering for a class or workshop at Still Life Studio:
Waivers and Safety for Ceramic Classes and Studio Use
- Students will follow all instructions by teacher.
- Students will not load, unload or operate the kilns.
- Long hair should be tied back.
- Do not wear articles of clothing or jewelry that hang off the body.
- Closed footwear is required.
- Do not use any equipment without a staff member present.
- SLS will provide safety glasses or gloves upon request.
- All completed work must be picked up from Still Life Studio no later than 4 weeks after the student’s final class. Still Life Studio is not responsible for any work left longer than 4 weeks. It is the student’s responsibility to pick up their work.
I hereby release and agree to hold Still Life Studio harmless from, and waive on behalf of myself, my heirs, and any personal representatives any and all causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and compensation for damage or loss to myself and/or property that may be caused by any act, or failure to act of the studio, or that may otherwise arise in any way in connection with any services received from Still Life Studio. I understand that this release discharges Still Life Studio from any liability or claim that I, my heirs, or any personal representatives may have against the studio with respect to any bodily injury, illness, death, medical treatment, or property damage that may arise from, or in connection to, any services received from Still Life Studio. This liability waiver and release extends to the studio together with all owners, partners, and employees.
Liability Waiver
In connection with my involvement in ceramic classes at Still Life Studio, I hereby release Still Life Studio, its agents, representatives, successors, or assignees, Still Life Studio management and employees, from all liabilities, actions, claims, damages, demands, costs, and expenses which I am now or in the future have against them, arising out of or in any way connected with my participation in art classes, including enroute to or from the program or its related events. I understand that the waiver includes, but is not limited to, all injuries to me and or loss of injuries to any personal property. I also understand that this waiver includes, but is not limited to, any claims that are based on my alleged negligence or any other action or inaction of any of the above parties.
I also give Still Life Studio permission to publish in print, electronic, or video format the likeness or image of myself and/or my work for the general promotion of Still Life Studio and its programs.
By enrolling in a class or workshop, I am acknowledging that I have read and understand the safety instructions and the liability waiver that have been outlined.