Ever wanted to learn how to make pottery?
This spring Sensational Elora is holding pottery classes at the Elora Centre for the Arts in support of the Elora Empty Bowls project. People can play with some clay and get creative as they learn from potters in the Centre Wellington area.
The bowls made will be donated to the Empty Bowls project as soup bowls to be filled with soups made by local restaurants. Proceeds from that project will go to local hunger-fighting organizations.
The class fee is $30 and classes run two consecutive weekends. The first week students will learn basic pottery techniques and work with the clay to make bowls. The next week they will learn how to finish and to glaze their own bowls.
People can make as many as they like, choose one to take home them, and the rest will be donated to the Empty Bowls project. Last year the project raised over $17,500 for the Centre Wellington Food Bank, and helped establish a breakfast program at a local high school. Organizers are hoping to top that this year.
The class dates are April 30 and May 7 from 9am to noon.
Taught by a Pam Starratt from The Studio Elora, the first class will focus on basic pottery techniques. Learn hand building from slabs and have fun with stamping shapes and creating patterns in the clay. Come back the following week to learn how use colourful glazes to add the finishing touch to the bowls.
There will be another set of classes on May 2 and June 4 at the same times.
Taught by Barry McCarthy, that class will show the basics of coil pot making. A unique potting process, students will have the chance to let creative juices flow and try out a variety of techniques. They can then return the following week for a lesson in glazing and finishing their bowls.
There will also be a drop-in pottery class during Doors Open Elora (June 25) or Art in the Yard (July 9 and 10 from 10am to 5pm). For a $5 suggested donation, play with clay and receive instruction in basic pottery techniques from local potters. All bowls made will be donated to the Empty Bowls project, and will be available to purchase for $25 if the student chooses.
