Pottery Classes Start March 12

Registrations are still being accepted for the Cattaraugus County Arts Council’s (CCAC) introductory pottery class which starts Thursday, March 12. The class will be led by potter Shawn McGuire, formerly of Syracuse, NY who specializes in wood-fired ware. The classes will be held at CCAC’s Community Art and Pottery Studio (CAPS), the area’s only fully equipped pottery studio complete with pottery wheels, a slab roller, clay, glazes, and all the tools needed to dig into the clay.

A prolific self-taught potter, Sean was hired by Clayscapes Pottery of Syracuse in 2003, a new ceramic materials distributor and education center. McGuire commented, “Learning about materials, equipment and ceramic processes at Clayscape proved more valuable to me then any graduate program ever could. I had to be able to serve as a technical adviser to everyone from university professors and students to hobbyists who had never worked with clay before. I also served as the membership chairperson for the Syracuse Ceramics Guild, an organization with over a 150 active potters. I look forward to working with the Arts Council and doing my part to see that their clay program grows and rises to it full potential.“

Pottery for the People will be held on Thursdays from 6:30-8:30pm on March 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9, and 16. The flagship class of CCAC’s pottery series, Pottery for the People is designed for all levels of ability allowing everyone to work at their own pace. Students will be introduced to all aspects of working with clay from beginning techniques to more advanced approaches. Class topics will include hand building, coil work, slab work, wheel throwing, glazing techniques, kiln firing, tips of the trade, and more. The member fee is $95 and nonmembers pay $105. All supplies are included, and open studio hours with our volunteer studio assistants are included during the six-week session.

The classes will be held at CCAC’s Community Art and Pottery Studio (CAPS) at 4th and Maple in Allegany, NY. To register, use the online registration option at www.myartscouncil.net, or e-mail (or call) artscouncil@verizon.net with the class name, your name, address, phone number, email address, and if you are CCAC member. Payments are requested in advance to secure registration, and may be submitted online or mailed to P.O. Box 406, Olean, NY 14760. For discounted rates on CAPS classes, become a member of CCAC. CCAC is a nonprofit organization funded by the New York State Council on the Arts, Cattaraugus County and by members and donors. For more information on CCAC or for information on CAPS classes, see www.myartscouncil.net.