This is an introductory course to learn about clay and the hand building process, so you learn how to build a relationship with the clay. Students will be hand building personal cups that they can use in their day to day life to remind them to be mindful. No previous clay experience is needed.

Students will use the Soffritto technique to carve into the clay to personalize their very own tea or coffee mug. 

The class runs for 5 weeks, with an option for a Saturday Open Lab time for any additional creative work students want to complete before Glazing and Firing in the last 2 weeks. 

Optionally, students should bring with them to class the following ribbon carving tool set. There will be tools provided as part of the class, but students can more fully personalize their own tools, bending and reshaping them to their vision if they like. Link to tools: https://smile.amazon.com/Sculpture-Sculpting-Ribbon-Cutter-Carving/dp/B01FJQ14NQ

Mary Beth is a local artist who is disciplined in many different mediums including, painting, print making and ceramics. She is a current student at IU Kokomo, and is near graduation with her degree in Fine Arts with a minor in Psychology. She plans to continue on to earn her Master’s in Fine Arts. Mary Beth is an active participant and workshop teacher at the Sol Sisters Collective Gallery in Kokomo. She has also served the community of Kokomo teaching art as a volunteer for New Leaf Mentoring, and the Logansport Juvenile Corrections Facility. In the past few years she has also worked as an artist in residency at Carroll Schools where she taught screen printing and watercolor painting. Mary Beth draws her inspiration from her spiritual practices, books she has read, music, and time spent in nature. She uses her art as a way to highlight and express the sacred in the every day. She believes that art should be about creating meaning, which is why she calls herself a meaning maker. Her recent focus has been on painting in the Visionary Art style, and she recently studied under Visionary Artist Amanda Sage. Outside of her at home studio, Mary Beth can often be found at music festivals throughout the Midwest co-creating alongside performing musicians, usually painting but at times sculpting clay. Mary Beth is passionate about what clay can teach us and is experienced in an array of techniques and styles. She is thrilled to be able to share her knowledge, passion and enthusiasm with others here at SHAK. She is hopeful that others will find their passion for it, too.

There is a fee for this class. Registration is required.