The Champaign Park District offers a full range of ceramics classes for anyone ages 6 and up. Classes are taught by experienced instructors who are gifted at bringing out the artist in you. Their wealth of experience, education, and knowledge will truly make this an enjoyable experience for you and/or your family. We also offer group workshops.
Questions: liza.wynette@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2376
The ceramic studio at Springer Cultural Center will be closed for deep cleaning from May 27 – June 1, 2024. Pottery pick-up will still be available.
Workshops
Create Your Own Workshop
Bring your friends, family, co-workers, or school group to a unique Pots-Abilities Workshop! We will design a project based on your group’s interests. Contact Liza at liza.wynette@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2376 to schedule a workshop at least one month in advance.
Clay For a Day! | NEW!
Ages 18+
Experience the pottery wheel in a fun and relaxed environment. You will learn the basics of wheel throwing and make a piece to keep! No experience needed!
- April 5 | Deadline: March 29
- April 19 | Deadline: April 12
Day: Friday
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Time: 6-8pm
Fee (R/NR): $36/$54 per person
Questions: liza.wynette@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2376
Master Class Series: Handbuilt Teapots | NEW!
Ages 18+
In this advanced-level workshop, Liza Wynette will demonstrate how to transform slabs of clay into a beautiful functional teapot. During the first two classes, participants will construct a teapot. The last class will be dedicated to glazing.
Required Prerequisite: At least one Studio Ceramics course or equivalent and experience working with slabs.
Date: April 12 – 26
Day: Friday
Time: 10a-12:30p
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Fee (R/NR): $84/$126
Deadline: April 5
Questions: liza.wynette@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2376
Pressed Leaf and Flowers | NEW!
Ages 6+
Celebrate the return of Spring in this family-friendly workshop! We’ll press leaves and flowers into air-dry clay to create small decorative trinkets, trivets, and pendants. The clay will harden within 24 hours and can be painted at home with acrylics, watercolors, or markers. Take home your creations the same day!
Date: April 20
Day: Saturday
Time: 10a-11a
Location: Martens Center
Fee (R/NR): $10/$15
Deadline: April 13
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
Youth Ceramic Courses
Pottery For Kids I
Ages 6-10
Children will learn the basics of ceramic hand-building techniques. Every week, they will be presented with new and exciting projects that will encourage them to apply their newfound knowledge and showcase their creative abilities.
Day: Tuesday
Dates: June 4 – July 9
Time: 4-5p
Fee (R/NR): $101/$151.50
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Pottery For Kids I
Ages 6-10
Children will learn the basics of ceramic hand-building techniques. Every week, they will be presented with new and exciting projects that will encourage them to apply their newfound knowledge and showcase their creative abilities.
Day: Thursday
Dates: June 6 – July 18*
No Class*: July 4
Time: 4-5p
Fee (R/NR): $101/$151.50
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Pottery For Kids II
Ages 9-12
Children will learn the basics of ceramic hand-building techniques. Every week, they will be presented with new and exciting projects that will encourage them to apply their newfound knowledge and showcase their creative abilities. No prior clay experience is required.
Day: Wednesday
Dates: June 5 – July 10
Time: 4-5p
Fee (R/NR): $101/$151.50
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Mugs for Kids!
Ages 6-12
This workshop is a kid-friendly version of our popular adult workshop. Kids will explore slab and hand-building methods to build a functional mug. In the first class, children will make a mug, and in the second class, they will decorate their mugs with vibrant underglazes.
Day: Monday
Dates: August 5 – August 12
Time: 4-5p
Fee (R/NR): $34/$51
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Pots For Tots
Ages 3-5
It’s an artistic adventure with your youngest artist! You and your little one will collaborate to create a beautiful pottery masterpiece. Kids love the feel of clay and adults can join in the creative excitement while crafting their own unique piece.
Parent/guardian participates with child.
Day: Wednesday
Dates: August 7 – 14
Time: 4-5p
Fee (R/NR): $34/$51
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Mother’s Day Pottery
Ages 5+
Looking for a fun and creative activity to do with Mom? Join our multi-generational workshop where families can come together and make a unique piece of pottery. This activity is open to parents of all genders and children ages 5 and above. It’s a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones while creating lasting memories!
Parent/guardian participates with the child.
Day: Saturday
Dates: May 4 – 11
Time: 10 – 11:30a
Fee (R/NR): $44/$66
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Father’s Day Pottery
Ages 5+
Looking for a fun and creative activity to do with Dad? Join our multi-generational workshop where families can come together and make a unique piece of pottery. This activity is open to parents of all genders and children ages 5 and above. It’s a terrific opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones while creating lasting memories!
Parent/guardian participates with child.
Day: Friday
Dates: June 7 – 14
Time: 4-5p
Fee (R/NR): $44/$66
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Adult Ceramic Courses
Clay For a Day
Ages 18+
Experience the pottery wheel in a fun and relaxed environment. Learn the basics of wheel throwing and make a piece to keep! No prior experience is required.
Day: Friday
Dates: May 24, June 21, July 19
Time: 6-8p
Fee (R/NR): $40/$60
Location: Spring Cultural Center
Studio Ceramics
Ages 18+
Discover the realm of ceramics with a variety of projects perfect for beginners! You’ll learn fundamental hand-building techniques and craft both functional and sculptural pieces. For those more advanced, there’s room to enhance your skills through self-guided projects. Regardless of experience level, everyone is encouraged to join and explore the captivating world of ceramics! Wheel throwing will not be covered in this course.
Day: Monday
Dates: June 3 – July 8
Time: 6 – 8:30p
Fee (R/NR): $176/$264
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Studio Ceramics
Ages 18+
Discover the realm of ceramics with a variety of projects perfect for beginners! You’ll learn fundamental hand-building techniques and craft both functional and sculptural pieces. For those more advanced, there’s room to enhance your skills through self-guided projects. Regardless of experience level, everyone is encouraged to join and explore the captivating world of ceramics! Wheel throwing will not be covered in this course.
Day: Saturday
Dates: June 8 – July 13
Time: 12:30 – 2:30p
Fee (R/NR): $162/$243
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Pottery For Teens
Ages 13-17
Teens of all skill levels are invited to participate in this course where they will explore the fundamentals of working in clay. Participants will have the chance to create functional pottery and expressive sculptures, putting into practice what they learn each week. This course focuses mainly on hand-building techniques. Towards the end of the course, the instructor may choose to introduce the pottery wheel.
Day: Saturday
Dates: June 8 – July 13
Time: 10-11:30a
Fee (R/NR): $130/$195
Location: Spring Cultural Center
Handcrafted Mugs
Ages 15+
Discover the art of crafting mugs without relying on a potter’s wheel! Explore slab and hand-building methods to build a functional mug. This workshop is specifically tailored for those new to working with clay, so no prior experience is needed.
Day: Monday
Dates: August 5 – 12
Time: 6-8p
Fee (R/NR): $55/$82.50
Location: Spring Cultural Center
Adult Wheel Throwing Courses
Beginning Wheel Throwing | Session 1
Ages 18+
Discover the art of creating pottery on the pottery wheel! Learn the fundamental skills of centering, throwing, and trimming pottery. Participants will also delve into the world of glazing and surface design. No prior experience is required! We recommend repeating this course until you are proficient at centering clay and throwing cylinders before enrolling in Intermediate/Advanced Wheel Throwing.
Day: Tuesday
Dates: June 4 – July 9
Time: 6-8p
Fee (R/NR): $162/$243
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Beginning Wheel Throwing | Session 2
Ages 18+
Discover the art of creating pottery on the pottery wheel! Learn the fundamental skills of centering, throwing, and trimming pottery. Participants will also delve into the world of glazing and surface design. No prior experience is required! We recommend repeating this course until you are proficient at centering clay and throwing cylinders before enrolling in Intermediate/Advanced Wheel Throwing.
Day: Wednesday
Dates: June 5 – July 10
Time: 6-8p
Fee (R/NR): $162/$243
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Intermediate/Advanced Wheel Throwing | Session 1
Ages 18+
This course is designed for students who possess fundamental knowledge of wheel throwing and are eager to enhance their abilities.
Prerequisite: Beginning Wheel Throwing
Required Skills: Proficient at centering clay and throwing cylinders.
Day: Thursday
Dates: May 2 – 23
Time: 6-8:30p
Fee (R/NR): $117/$175.50
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Intermediate/Advanced Wheel Throwing | Session 2
Ages 18+
This course is designed for students who possess fundamental knowledge of wheel throwing and are eager to enhance their abilities.
Prerequisite: Beginning Wheel Throwing
Required Skills: Proficient at centering clay and throwing cylinders.
Day: Thursday
Dates: June 6 – July 18
Time: 6-8:30p
Fee (R/NR): $176/$264
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Intermediate/Advanced Wheel Throwing | Session 3
Ages 18+
This course is designed for students who possess fundamental knowledge of wheel throwing and are eager to enhance their abilities.
Prerequisite: Beginning Wheel Throwing
Required Skills: Proficient at centering clay and throwing cylinders.
Day: Thursday
Dates: July 25 – August 15
Time: 6-8:30p
Fee (R/NR): $117/$175.50
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Open Studio Time
Ages 18+ with experience (must have taken two sessions of Park District pottery classes)
Get more time outside of class! Open Studio is available to patrons that have taken at least 2 CPD ceramics courses, or can prove comparable prior experience. Patrons register for the season, but pay by the hour as they go. Open studio is not supervised and does not include instruction. The hourly fee does include the use of all studio materials (clay, glazes) and firing of all work. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own tools and a towel. Open Studio is scheduled when classes are not using the studio; most availability is M-F, 9am-4pm. Evenings and weekends are usually *not* available.
Sign up is based on availability. Contact liza.wynette@champaignparks.org or the Springer Front Desk at 217-398-2376 for more information or to be placed on the waitlist.
Downloads
For questions regarding our pottery program, please contact Liza Wynette.
Questions: liza.wynette@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2376.