6-Week Handbuilding: Curious Forms

Curious Forms is all about exploration, experimentation, and learning to sketch with clay. Over 6 weeks, we’ll use handbuilding techniques to create sculptural, playful, and imaginative pieces while building a strong foundation in clay construction.

Think lanterns, stacked forms, wall pieces, abstract sculpture, strange vessels, curious little objects, and projects that maybe don’t even have a clear category yet.

We’ll cover slab, coil, and hollow form construction, but the real goal here is to loosen up, follow ideas, and make work that feels personal and exciting. Students are encouraged to come with inspiration photos, sketches, weird ideas, or projects they’ve been wanting to explore. This class is designed to support curiosity, experimentation, and finding your own voice in clay.

Small group, lots of one-on-one help, and plenty of room to experiment, problem solve, and get a little muddy along the way.

Instructor: Caelin McDaniel

What:
6-Week Handbuilding Class – Curious Forms

When:
Class meets every Sunday from 11–1, starting July 12th - August 16th

Where:
Erie ClaySpace, 1505 State ST, 3rd Floor of the PACA building, Erie, PA 16501

Accessing the studio
The front doors to the PACA building are locked. When you arrive, please call (814) 520-5089, and your instructor will buzz you in.

Accessibility:
If you need to use the elevator, let us know ahead of time at info@erieclayspace.com, and we’ll make sure someone is there to help you. (It’s old school—no call button.)

More info:
Each session starts with a quick demo, then we get into it. You’ll spend most of your time building, experimenting, and getting hands-on guidance as you work through your ideas and projects.

We’ll move through the full process—from raw clay to finished work—covering construction, refining, surface decoration, and glazing along the way.

By the end of the 6 weeks, you’ll leave with a collection of sculptural and handmade pieces, along with a solid foundation in handbuilding techniques and creative problem-solving.

The class fee includes 25 pounds of clay, glazing materials, and all firings. Extra clay is available for purchase as needed.

Ages 13 to adult. Class size is limited to 10 students.

Open Studio:
In addition to class time, you’ll have access to the studio during open studio hours:
Wednesdays: 6–8 pm
Saturdays: 12–2 pm

Open studio is supervised, but instruction happens during class time.

Notes:
We reserve the right to postpone or cancel classes that do not meet a minimum of 5 students. If that happens, you can transfer or receive a full refund.

FAQs – We’ve Got You

👕 What should I wear?
Something comfy that can get a little muddy. Tie back long hair and skip the jewelry.

🎨 Is this beginner-friendly?
Yep. No experience needed.

💔 What if my piece breaks?
We handle everything with care, but clay does its own thing sometimes.

📦 When do I pick up my work?
About 2–4 weeks after the last class.

💸 Refunds?
Available if requested at least 48 hours before class (processing fees may apply).

📬 Questions?
info@erieclayspace.com