In this demo workshop Michael Sherrill will primarily work around the extruding and manipulating of clay forms. Michael started using his extruder to extrude tubes and then pull tapered, long spouts for sculptural teapots. His involvement in using the extruder has totally changed his thinking about it as a tool. It widened his view of what he can do with clay. Instead of the extruder being a static tool, just to make an object, Michael sees it as a work station. Like a potter’s wheel, it is a place to make and manipulate forms. This technique can open up new possibilities for anyone working in clay.                                                                                            

Now you can throw, pinch, slam, stretch, alter, and fire more than ever in the Clay Studio at The Craft Guild of Dallas!

Classes are three hours long and typically meet once a week for eight weeks. Tuition covers glaze materials and kiln firing; however students should anticipate additional fees for clay and some tools. In order to attend the lab and use the studio outside of class, you must be currently enrolled in a class. Open studio times are subject to change, but are typically Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday afternoons

Young artists continue their studies in after-school classes.

Clay as You Like It (Monday mornings)
Explore new construction techniques, develop, then fine-tune your throwing skills, and learn interesting decorative applications in this ongoing series of classes for adults.  Individual attention from instructors, interaction with other students, and hands-on demonstrations provide an exciting environment for clay artists, from beginning to advanced students.  As a beginner, you will experiment with a variety of hand-building methods, learn the basics of glazing, and be introduced to throwing on the potter’s wheel.  As an intermediate or advanced student, you will be able to take advantage of each individual instructor’s expertise as you expand your skills, experiment with glazing and decorative surface options, and focus on your own specific interests. For beginning to advanced students.

Clayworks
Explore new construction techniques, develop, then fine-tune your throwing skills, and learn interesting decorative applications in this ongoing series of classes for adults.　 Individual attention from instructors, interaction with other students, and hands-on demonstrations provide an exciting environment for clay artists, from beginning to advanced students.　
As a beginner, you will experiment with a variety of hand-building methods, learn the basics of glazing, and be introduced to throwing on the potter’s wheel.　 As an intermediate or advanced student, you will be able to take advantage of each individual instructor’s expertise as you expand your skills, experiment with glazing and decorative surface options, and focus on your own specific interests. For beginning to advanced students.

Developing a Personal Vocabulary in Clay (Tuesday mornings)
This is an advanced class open to those who have mastered general throwing and handbuilding. Instruction will cover more advanced throwing, handbuilding and glazing techniques appropriate to functional, sculptural and decorative work fired in high temperature reduction kilns. Students work together in a cooperative atmosphere to enhance their individual goals. For advanced students.

Clay "On the Run" (Wednesday mornings)
Join us for coffee while you experiment with clay!  This class is designed for beginners, but all levels are welcome. Students are invited to try their hand at a variety of techniques, decorate your work with glazes and textures, and even make a few mugs of your own. Brief presentations relating to the topic of the week will be provided, and we anticipate plenty of lively group discussions, sure to trigger more creative sparks.

Creative Approaches to Working with Clay (Saturday mornings)
This class concentrates on throwing skills for the beginning and intermediate student, and also explores the fundamentals of handbuilding. Beginning students who focus on the wheel will learn the basic skills of centering, opening, and pulling vessels, in preparation for throwing cylinders, bowls and cups. Continuing wheel students will concentrate on improving their throwing skills, and will have an opportunity to form bowls, lids, baking dishes, goblets, mugs and pitchers. Students interested in handbuilding will undertake a variety of projects that utilize slab construction, round and flat coil construction, pinch-forming methods, surface texturing, carving, and other techniques. For beginning and experienced students.

Saturday "Clay Collaborations"
Saturday afternoon workshops pair young artists (4+) and teens with parents, grandparents, siblings, or other special family friends to create magical memories while working together on clay projects. Tuition covers 2 people working on one project and includes all tools, supplies, glazes and firings. Additional persons in a group can be added for $25/student. Work will be ready for pickup approximately 2 weeks after the workshop.

Open Studio
Students enrolled in classes are encouraged to practice and/or continue working on specific projects during "open studio" time. Although instructors are not present, the studio environment encourages communication and collaboration if you encounter a challenge while constructing or glazing your work. Attendees may be asked to assist in loading or unloading kilns, as these activities are handled by volunteers in the clay department. Plan to present your Studio Access Card to the studio attendant upon arrival.