Teaching artist Sean O’Connell’s spring clay series announced

Carnegie Hall’s Spring Classes & Workshops Series offers arts and crafts educational opportunities to students of all ages. Teaching Artist Sean O’Connell will lead several hand-building and wheel pottery workshops beginning in February and running through June.
Wheel Throwing Clay for Teens & Adults is a six-week course taught by O’Connell and begins Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. In this introduction to wheel-thrown ceramics, teens and adults will explore how to prepare clay for throwing, learn how to center clay on the potter’s wheel, and make simple vessel forms such as the cylinder, bowl, and plate. Through this process, students will get a feeling for working with earth-based clay and the many possibilities it offers for creativity. Students will also learn techniques for glazing and finishing their work. Other Section 1 class dates include Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28, and Apr. 11 (no class Apr. 4). Section 2 class dates include Apr. 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23, and Jun. 6 (no class May 30).
Cost for the Wheel Throwing Clay for Teens & Adults series is $250 ($225 for Carnegie Hall members). Automatic scholarships are available for students 50 years of age and older, who pay only $135. Class size is limited, and students must be at least 17 years old. All materials are provided.
O’Connell’s second 6-class course is Hand Building for Adults. Section 1 takes place Thursdays, Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, and Apr. 13 (no class Apr. 6), from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Section 2 dates include Apr. 27, May 4, 11, 18, 25, and Jun. 8 (no class Jun. 1).
Hand Building for Adults explores a variety of form and design concepts combining several techniques in working clay by hand. Tap into creative problem solving in clay, using visual elements such as line, volume, balance, texture, proportion scale, and color in a three-dimensional design. Shape a lidded tripod ginger jar from soft clay slabs or mold a full in-the-round sculptural figure. Sculpt a bas relief wall piece or garden muse. Come create objects of beauty, function, integrity, and spirit. All levels welcome.
Cost for the Hand Building for Adults series is $250 ($225 for Carnegie Hall members). Automatic scholarships are available for students 50 years of age and older who pay only $135. Class size is limited, and students must be at least 17 years old. All materials are provided.
Sean O’Connell is a ceramic artist from upstate New York, who relocated to Greenbrier County in 2013. From 1995 to 2003, Sean studied all aspects of ceramic arts with Professor Regis Brodie at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY.To enroll or for a complete list of classes and workshops visit carnegiehallwv.org/classes-and-workshops or pick up a Classes & Workshops brochure at 611 Church Street, Lewisburg.