JDCAC Ceramics Studio
Ceramics Studio
222 E Drake Ave
Who We Are
The Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center (JDCAC) Ceramics studio is a creative space with many artistic and educational opportunities for the community. The studio offers a wide variety of ceramic classes for the absolute beginner as well as experienced potters. The JDCAC Ceramics Studio is the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself or your children to the creative possibilities of clay!
Independent studio memberships are also available pending approval from the studio coordinator or by taking two full eight week courses. Our studio is equipped with professional pottery throwing wheels, a stainless steel extruder, a slab roller, multiple hand mixed glazes, commercial-grade firing kilns, and pug mills. Our studio space serves the artistic needs of the community, providing residents with the creativity, inspiration, and encouragement to create ceramic works. The studio is designed so that individuals may work in a relaxed environment where ingenuity soars.
Classes
Our instructors offer a selection of top-notch classes that range in skill level and age. Below is a list of ceramics classes coming this summer! Please view the Parks and Recreation program brochure for more detailed information on the many classes Parks and Recreation offers. Current Calendar
CERAMICS INDEPENDENT STUDIO FOR ADULTS
Individuals who have had experience in ceramics and pottery and meet the Independent Studio membership requirements (two full ceramics classes and completion on the Pre-IS courss) may work in the studio independently during center hours once obtaining approval from studio director and registering. The Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center is located at 222 E. Drake Ave. Enjoy working in out studio which offers opportunities to hand-build ceramics and throw on our potter's wheels. A selection of clay will be available for purchase with glaze and firing fees calculated into the cost. Clay is $40/box and must be purchase through MyRec. All Independent Studio memberships will be required to sign into the studio each day, assist in keeping the studio clean, and adhere to the policies stated in the member contract. Studio hours are subject to change based on the schedule of classes offered by the studio. $80 per quarter.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18+ | MTWRF | 6/1 - 8/31 | 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. | JDCAC |
Contact: Emillie Dombrowski • (334)501-2944 • edombrowski@auburnalabama.org
PRE-INDEPENDENT STUDIO
Are you interested in joining Independent Studio? Taking this course is required before joining. This course will guide you through studio policies, procedures, idea building, troubleshooting, and kiln/glaze knowledge needed to explore our state-of-the-art studio on your own. Prerequisite: completion of two studio classes. (No formal class 6/23 & 30) $70/participant + $30 materials fee.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Dates(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18+ | M | 6/2 - 7/14 | 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. | JDCAC |
Contact: Emillie Dombrowski • (334) 501 - 2944 • edombrowski@auburnalabama.org
FOCUSED WHEEL THROWING - BOTTLES
Come join me if you want to practice on collaring by throwing bottles! Designed for students who can throw cylinders at leased 4-inches tall, this course, focuses on shaping and collaring. As time permits, we will create taller and larger pieces. Practice outside of class with provided pugged clay and complete at least two, functional, well-made pieces. Additional guidance on trimming included. $110/hour + $25 materials fee.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18+ | R | 6/5 - 7/10 | 5:30 p.m - 7:30 p.m. | JDCAC |
Contact: Romona Brisco • (334) 702 - 6140 • mona_bnice2024@yahoo.com
PRIVATE AND SEMI-PRIVATE CERAMIC LESSONS
Enjoy personalized ceramic instruction with private or semi-private, lessons tailored to your interests. Learn wheel throwing, hand building, glazing, and decorating techniques to create unique clay items. Open, to all skill levels-no experience needed! Submit a request from at: auburnalabama.org/parks/register to schedule and register. $50/hour + $15 materials fee (per person) per two-hour session.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7+ | By request | 6/2 - 8/29 | By-appointment | JDCAC |
Contact: Romona Brisco • (334) 703-6140 • mona_bnice2024@yahoo.com
HAND BUILDING: THE COLOR CRAZE CHRONICLES
Join me to explore coloring techniques for slip, clay, greenware, and bisqueware! Projects include making colored slip, creating marbled effects on clay slabs, and adding custom designs to greenware and bisqueware. The instructor will share personal experiences and simple recipes. Note: Some glazes are for nonfunctional items only. Minor outside work may be required. $110/hour + $25 materials fee. No experience necessary!
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18+ | R | 7/17 - 8/21 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | JDCAC |
Contact: Ramona Brisco• (334) 703-6140 • mona_bnice2024@yahoo.com
FOUNDATIONS OF WHEEL-THROWN POTTERY
Find your center! Make your mark! Whether it's your first time around or you're dusting off old skills, this course will provide a light-hearted, supportive atmosphere in which to explore fundamental techniques for throwing vessels on the wheel. Learn to create table-ready bowls and cups, exploring different shapes as confidence grows! Other skills that may be offered as students show readiness include plate making, trimming recessed feet and attaching handles. Throughout the course, you will also have access to JDCAC's Ceramics Studio to practice on a wheel during open studio hours. Consistent attendance is essential for success, since we cover new material each week. Kindly confirm that you can attend all seven class sessions before enrolling, as this course always has eager folks on the wait list, and because once the quarter begins, full refunds are not possible, due to 30% plus the materials fee being subtracted. We will be off for 8/12 to facilitate the last bisque firing in preparation for the final glazing session. $150/participant + $25 materials fee.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18+ | T | 7/1 - 8/19 (off 8/12) | 5:30 - 8 p.m. | JDCAC |
Contact: Annika Lee • (334-663-1749) • elementalartcraft@hotmail.com
WHEEL-THROWING POTTERY CLUB FOR "TWEENS" & TEENS
Young creatives are invited to bring their curiosity and a playful spirit as we sling some mud on the wheel! This supportive, small-group session covers basic wheel-throwing technique and foundational vocabulary. In each meeting we’ll explore new skills, so kindly make certain that your child can attend all six sessions before enrolling, as full refunds are not possible after June 1. $133/participant + $25 materials fee.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-16 | F | 7/11 - 8/15 | 10 am - 12:30 pm | JDCAC |
Contact: Annika Lee • (334-663-1749) • elementalartcraft@gmail.com
PUMPKINS, PUMPKINS AND MORE - HAND BUILDING FOR FALL
Let’s get a jumpstart on the holidays by hand building pumpkins, owls, and other seasonal beings! We will explore basic hand building techniques including leaf prints on clayusing the slab roller. You are only limited by your imagination! $150/participant + $35/Materials Fee.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18+ | W | 7/2 - 8/20 | 10 am - 12:30 pm | JDCAC |
Contact: Jacqueline McDonough • (770-715-1741) • ladylovesgrits@hotmail.com
BEGINNER AND INTERMEDIATE WHEEL THROWING
BEGINNER: Whether you’re new to pottery or need more practice with basic cylinders and bowls, this class is for you! We’ll cover all steps of wheel throwing and pottery-making. By the end, you’ll know how to make a cylinder or bowl on the wheel. The final class will include glazing instruction for your pieces. $120/Participant + $40 Materials fee. No experience necessary!
INTERMEDIATE: Once you’re able to consistently center and throw cylinders and bowls on the wheel, what’s next? This class will teach you all the tricks for making more unique pieces as well as enhance the basics you already know. Skills covered may include trimming, handling, collaring, lid-making, centering larger amounts of clay and more! $120/Participant +$40/materials.
| Age(s) | Day(s) | Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEGINNING 18+ | W | 6/4 - 7/16 | 5:30 - 7:30 pm | JDCAC |
| BEGINNING 18+ | R | 6/5 - 7/24 (no class 6/19) | 9:20 - 11:30 am | JDCAC |
| INTERMEDIATE 18+ | W | 7/23 - 8/27 | 5:30 - 7:30 pm | JDCAC |
Contact: Hailey Williams • (251) 459- 5455 • williamshayleyr@gmail.com
Upcoming Events
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday 9, a.m. - 1 p.m.
Please note that after the quarter has begun, hours may change. An updated calendar will be available upon request after the start of the quarter.
Independent Studio
Individuals who have had experience in ceramics and meet the Independent Studio membership requirements may work in the studio independently during center hours once obtaining approval from studio director and registering.
The Ceramics Studio is located inside the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center at 222 E. Drake Ave. Enjoy working in our studio, which offers opportunities to hand-build ceramics and throw on our potter's wheels.
A selection of clay will be available to purchase with glaze and firing fees calculated into the cost. Clay is $40/box and must be bought through MyRec. All Independent Studio members will be required to sign into the studio each day, aid in keeping the studio clean, and adhere to the policies stated in the member contract. Studio hours are subject to change based on the schedule of classes offered by the studio. Price is $80 per quarter.
To purchase a ceramic transfer please visit the studio prior to purchasing to see a current list of designs available.
Any person interested interested in becoming an independent studio member must meet one of the following three criteria:
- Taken a minimum of two classes at the Jan Dempsey Ceramics Studio within the past two calendar years. Only classes that are 7 weeks or longer count towards independent membership.
- Completed 16 hours of private lessons with a studio instructor.
- Have comparable professional experience or completed a ceramics degree in the last five years.
If the above requirements are met, an interview and studio tour can be scheduled with the studio director to decide independent membership status. Once given permission by the studio director, members can register for independent membership. Members who need assistance registering can visit the Harris Center at 425 Perry St. in Auburn. Examples of work and experience must be presented.
For more information about the Ceramics Studio or the City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Department, please contact Emillie Dombrowski, Art Education Specialist, at edombrowski@auburnalabama.org or by calling 334-501-2944