Art Events and Workshops | Community Arts | Laney College Art Department

Pottery Wheel 1 // Beginning Throwing // $395

Tue & Thur 5:30PM - 8:00PM // August 19th - October 9th

Over the course of this 8 week workshop, students will learn the foundation of creating basic forms on the pottery wheel. Techniques covered include: centering, opening cylinders and bowls, collaring for height, trimming and finishing. Students will learn the basics of glazing and firing in both Cone 10 gas reduction and electric kilns. This is a great class for beginners or for those who need a refresher on the throwing process. Clay must be purchased onsite.

Event Payment Information:

At the conclusion of event registration, July 1st, you will be sent an email with event information and a payment link through PayPal. This workshop cost covers 16 x 2.5hr class sessions, glaze materials and firing. Payment must be received by July 15th to guarantee registration. Refunds of 100% of the workshop cost will be issued up to 30 days before the event. Any cancellation after 30 days, the student will receive a partial refund of 50%. No refund will be issued less than 15 days before the start of the event. All processing fees are the responsibility of the student.

Contact:

Email Mary Catherine Bassett, Art Department Chair, for information regarding registration - mbassett@peralta.edu.

Email Martha (Mo) Storm, workshop instructor, with any questions regarding the course - mstorm@peralta.edu

Pottery Wheel 2 // Continuing Throwing // $395

Tue & Thur 5:30PM - 8:00PM // October 14th - December 4th

This class will expand on the basics of throwing. Students will learn a variety of approaches and techniques that further develop their understanding of forms - tall and wide forms, throwing off the hump, making a sets, closed forms and assembled forms. Students will engage in discussions around how the form helps or hinders the function of a piece; the best shape for a foot, rim, spout, etc. This workshop will cover the basics of glaze applications and the rules for glazing at Laney College for cone 10 gas reduction. Clay must be purchased on site.

Event Payment Information:

At the conclusion of event registration, September 1st, you will be sent an email with event information and a payment link through PayPal. This workshop cost covers 16 x 2.5hr class sessions, glaze materials and firing. Payment must be received by September 15th to guarantee registration. Refunds of 100% of the workshop cost will be issued up to 30 days before the event. Any cancellation after 30 days, the student will receive a partial refund of 50%. No refund will be issued less than 15 days before the start of the event. All processing fees are the responsibility of the student.

Contact:

Email Mary Catherine Bassett, Art Department Chair, for information regarding registration - mbassett@peralta.edu.

Email Martha (Mo) Storm, workshop instructor, with any questions regarding the course - mstorm@peralta.edu

Wood Firing | 12 Weeks | Thursdays 10am – 4pm

$665 Student Rate | $735 Public Rate

In this 12-week wood-firing ceramics workshop students will gain hands-on experience loading and firing kilns, with a focus on traditional wood-firing methods that bring unique, natural finishes to your work. From forming clay to understanding combustion and kiln atmosphere, this course offers a comprehensive journey through ceramic artistry. Explore pottery and hand-building techniques, work with slips and glazes, and delve into the thermal dynamics behind firing. Connect with fellow makers, deepen your skills, and fire your work in an inspiring, collaborative environment rooted in craft and creativity.

This course is geared towards intermediate ceramic artists, with a focus on generating both wheel thrown and hand-built work for the wood kiln. Students will participate in the kiln firing process learning to load a train kiln, fire the kiln working as a team in shifts, unloading and cleaning up.

Instructor Biography | Ian Bassett

Ian Bassett is a visual artist and potter living in The San Francisco East Bay. He was born in Seoul, Korea and grew up in Connecticut on Long Island Sound. He received his BFA in Ceramics from the New Hampshire Institute of Art, a Post Baccalaureate in Ceramics from Hood College and his MFA in ceramics from Rochester Institute of Technology’s School for American Crafts.

He currently is an Adjunct Professor at Los Medanos College. He has taught at Diablo Valley College and Sonoma State University. He has also worked as a Studio Technician at Art Academy University and the Ceramics Studio Manager at Ox-Bow School of Art and Artist Residencies. Ian exhibits nationally and his work is represented by several galleries across the country.

ianbassett.com

Wood Kiln Building Workshop

June 9^th - June 14^th and Inaugural wood firing August 29th - 31st

Join Mike Tavares and Laney College for a hands-on workshop where we will build an American-style wood-fired train kiln. This unique kiln features a removable flat top, making it easier to load work without the need to crawl inside, and its compact size allows for faster firing turnarounds. The kiln’s design has been meticulously drawn layer by layer using Google SketchUp, a 3D modeling program, allowing us to bring the vision to life with precision. Throughout the workshop, participants will actively contribute to the construction of the kiln, learning key techniques in kiln building along the way. We will also cover essential aspects of the firing process, including proper loading techniques, wadding, glazing, and overall firing etiquette. Whether you’re a seasoned potter or new to wood firing, this workshop offers valuable insights into kiln construction and the art of wood firing in a collaborative, hands-on environment. As part of this workshop, students will also be invited to participate in our inaugural firing over Labor Day weekend, August 29th - 31st

Pricing - $330 Student - $450 General Public, $50 for June 14^th Kiln Basics Demo and Lecture

Artist Bio

Mike Tavares is a Providence, Rhode Island native, born to Cape Verdean immigrants, whose artistic practice is deeply influenced by both his cultural heritage and everyday life. Mike received his BFA at Syracuse University with a concentration in ceramic art. As an artist, Mike primarily works with clay, creating unique dishware and sculptures. His journey into the world of ceramics is informed by his artistic vision and hands-on experience in firing and building wood kilns. His artwork is a reflection of his lived experiences, with a particular focus on the daily rituals and traditions of his Cape Verdean upbringing. Mike uses tools he crafts to cut and shape his work resulting in a matte or textured surface that encourages soft markings and deep earth tones from the wood kiln.

During his time at Syracuse University, he co-founded Clay Siblings, a nonprofit initiative that brought college students into high schools and after-school programs across multiple cities. Through Clay Siblings, Mike and his team used art to connect with kids, fostering creativity and linking them to other opportunities within their communities. These experiences have shaped his belief in the power of creative solutions to bring positive change to both animals and people.

International Collage Day

May 10^th 11am - 2pm

A collage can function like a sketch to explore new ideas or as a final composition. It can be tiny or huge, simple or highly complex.

Join us in the Laney Printmaking Studio for this three-hour workshop where we will learn a little about the history of this powerful medium, look at works by some exciting contemporary artists, and make our own unique collages. Techniques for composition, selecting materials, cutting, and gluing will be discussed and demonstrated. At the end of the workshop, we will share our collages and have an informal (and supportive) critique of one another’s work. A list of collage artists, books about collage, and places for sourcing collage materials will be provided. This workshop is great for people new to the medium, but experienced collage makers are also welcome. All materials for making collages will be provided but participants may bring ephemera they’d like to use in their collages, as well.

Pricing - $35 Student $40 General Public

Tuesday, May 21, 2025 | 12:00–4:00 PM
Location: Courtyard between the Art Center and Swimming Pool

Join us for Laney College’s End-of-Year Art Sale—a student-led, open-air market celebrating creativity, community, and all things handmade!

Browse and buy original work from Laney artists, including:

Prints and paintings
Ceramics, zines, and handmade goods
Baked treats and wearable art
Clothing swap items and more

This event is open to all Laney students who want to sell or share their work.

Want to participate as a vendor?

Important Info for Vendors:

This is a market-format event—tables will be set up in the outdoor courtyard.
You are responsible for bringing your own table, tablecloth, and display materials.
You must be physically present to facilitate your own sales.
Setup begins at 11:30 AM. Teardown starts at 4:00 PM, with a hard stop at 5:00 PM.

Spread the word and share the flyer! Let’s close out the semester with art, creativity, and community spirit.

Past Lecture Series

Registration for Summer 2024 opens on April 19th. Contact the Laney Art Department Chair for more information.

In this engaging 2-day hands-on workshop, Punch will guide you through the delightful process of crafting her signature sculptural lidded jar. Blending pottery and sculpture infuses functional pieces with a sense of playfulness and joy.

Demonstrations include: hand-building vessels and sculptural parts, underglaze methods like water coloring, sgraffito, wash, and underglaze pencil. Drawing from her personal journey with clay, Punch will share valuable tips and tricks to help you navigate the creative process effectively. This is a hands-on workshop, so get ready
to get your hands dirty and let your imagination run wild.

Pricing – Students $140, General Public $180, June 8^th Lecture and Demo $95

Artist Bio/Statement

Bangkok-born Chanakarn Semachai, known as Punch, is a ceramic artist and educator. She earned her BA from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, and her Master of Fine Arts from Edinboro University, USA. Her work explores identity and multiculturalism, blending sculptural and functional elements with vibrant colors and ornamentation to convey personal narratives with humor.

A 2022 NCECA Emerging Artist awardee, she also earned recognition from The Ceramics Monthly. Additionally, in 2024, she attended the Gulgong Ceramic Festival in Australia as one of the featured masters. Currently, she teaches creative ceramics full-time at Chulalongkorn University.
Artist Website | www.numpucsh.com

Scott Jennings will present the techniques that he uses to produce his varied body of ceramic artwork in this 2-day workshop.

Day 1 will explore the use of soft slabs to produce function vessels. Scott will demonstrate how to create patterns, add texture to the surface, and how to bring volume into an otherwise static form.

Day 2 will focus on the versatility of using coil-building techniques to achieve vessel and sculptural forms. Surface treatments and design will also be presented.

Pricing – Student $90, General Public $110, Friday Evening Lecture $35

Artist Biography

Scott is a Bay Area artist who has worked with clay for 30+ years. He has many years of experience teaching at private, municipal, and community college ceramic studios. Scott has worked as a ceramic technician and a
production manager in the ceramic industry. He maintains a studio in San Francisco.
Artist Website | www.scottjenningsceramics.com

Past Events

Throwvember

Community Arts Event and Pottery Throwdown

November 1^st, 2024, 5-7pm

Sponsored by the Laney Makers Collective and the Laney Art Department

Pottery Throwdown:

- Longest pulled handle
- Tallest 1 pull cylinder
- 1 minute wheel thrown bowl
- Ghost throwing (use another person’s hands)

3d Potter Bot Demonstration

Costume Contest

Dance Party

Potluck

Past Visiting Artists

Summer 2023
Ceramic Visiting Artists

Press-mold & Paper Clay Techniques
taught by Wesley Wright and Malia Landis

Saturday, June 10th 10am -4pm

Non-Student Rate $70
Student Rate $50
10% off for Laney Students use code LNYSTDNT at checkout

Click Here to Register

Join Wes and Malia for a collaborative workshop with hands-on demonstrations!

The workshop will begin with lectures discussing the broader applications of their process, followed by concurrent demonstrations. Wesley will use larger press molds to construct an animal totem while Malia will construct flower and plant forms in paper clay to be added to the totem toward the end of the demonstration. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the hands-on demonstration and work alongside each artist. Use of press molds, ceramic sculpting techniques and how to approach working with paper clay will all be covered…. plus so much more! Join us for the fun.

Wesley Wright

Malia Landis

Handbuilding, Surfacing & Play…Oh My!
Taught by Didem Mert

Saturday, July 8th 10am -3pm

Non-Student Rate $75
Student Rate $60

Click Here to Register

Join Didem Mert for a one-day Lecture and Hands-on Demonstration!

Put a childlike sense of PLAY back into your clay practice with visiting artist instructor Didem Mert (she/they)! Those with some clay experience are all welcome for this “handy” workshop. Didem will teach participants how to make slab build vessels, over three different handle designs, coil and pinched and paddled large coil vessels, jewelry, and more! Oh, you thought we were only going to learn constructing and building techniques in this workshop? Guess again! Didem will also show participants how to use underglazes, stencils, and more to create one-of-a-kind surfaces that POP and feel alive! Participants should bring one bisque piece to try out different surfacing techniques and materials during the workshop. Come play in clay!

Didem Mert

Art Department Workshops & Events

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