● Programs

Large Scale Hand Building Intensive

5 Day Hand Building Class

Beginner Friendly ($785)

Aug 2nd - 6th, 1-4pm

Registration Opens 12pm 4/9

● Program Overview

Large Scale Hand Building for Any Size Kiln!

This is a pilot class to learn to hand build with coils in sections to construct a large scale sculpture. Building in modular pieces allows students to disassemble and reassemble pieces for firing in smaller kilns. Sample work will be shown in the beginning of class. Please come with sketches of what you’d like to sculpt. Will we make templates based on off the sketches and then learn building methods to scale up. After the 5 day intensive, work will be bisqued in 2-4 weeks to allow proper drying time and students will have 2 week studio access to glaze their pieces once the work is out of the bisque.

6 spots available

Payment plans available - please reach out via email directly to hello@theceramicsdept.com

What’s Included

  • All clay (Cone 6 Standard Stoneware)

  • Use of all of our 10 shop glazes

  • All bisque and glaze firings

  • Individual work tables

  • Shared studio tools + heat guns

  • Storage for your work on class shelving

  • Drawing materials, tar paper, cardboard, measuring tools

  • Access to the studio for 2 weeks after class to finish glazing your work

What You’ll Need to Bring

  • Sketches of the sculpture you would like to build

  • Please bring 1-2 hand towels (very important!)

  • An apron if you prefer to wear one

  • An open mind to try new things and meet new people :)

  • Feel free to bring your own tools if you prefer

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Beginners welcome

  • The Ceramics Dept. is located on the gorund floor of VIA - The Village. of Industry and Art (formerly Hamiloton and Furness Hall of UArts) at 320 S. Broad St. in Philadelphia, PA.

    You will enter using a key code for the Broad Street entrance that you will receive in a welcome email the week your class begins with all the info you’ll need to be prepared for class!

  • This is a 5 day intensive and is not recommended if you miss a class. There will not be make up classes offered.

  • You’ll have 2 weeks of open studio time to glaze your work after its bisque fired

  • More clay is available to purchase at the studio shop. We sell Standard Clay and its sold in 25lb. bags. Firing fees are included in the price of clay to keep things simpler for everyone.

    The studio shop is open daily from 10am-6pm. Please come before class to purchase clay if you’re taking a PM class.

  • You’ll be notifed about two weeks after your class ends and you can come by during open hours (10am-6pm) to pick up your work from the Finished Work Shelves which will be labled with your class.

    We will send you an email as soon as your work is ready for pickup via KilnFire. Please do not call or email asking if it is ready. 

  • Please email us directly at hello@theceramicsdept.com, so we can speak directly to your accessibility needs to see if we can meet them! VIA was built in 1826 and Scout (our landloard) is working towards improving access for everyone.

  • General FAQ is coming soon