Centering: Perfecting the Basics in Throwing & Trimming
Winter Workshop | Available
Beginners' paradise! Learn how to strengthen your skills in centering and trimming. We’ll take a deep dive into the fundamental steps, identify common roadblocks, and uncover the missing piece that may be limiting your ability to create a perfectly round form. Refresh and refine your techniques for wedging, centering, opening the clay, compressing the bottom, and pulling walls. You'll also practice tap-centering for trimming. Pat will share the little tricks of the trade that help create a beautiful, finished foot. We’ll keep practicing until you walk away with the perfect pot!
Please note:
- You will choose your favorite finished piece to be glazed and fired; all other work will be reclaimed.
- You'll take home one completed piece, which your instructor will glaze and fire. We'll notify you when it's ready for pickup at the CAC office.
- Cubbies are not provided for this workshop. Since you'll have access to the studio all weekend, you may leave your work out until the workshop concludes.
- This class prioritizes practice above finishing work. There is no scheduled studio time after the workshop to finish or glaze additional pieces.
- Guardians registering children or teens under age 18:
A completed Student Information Form is required for each child attending a class or workshop.
Download Form:
https://reg127.imperisoft.com/Pages/System/File.aspx?id2=6606
Please complete, sign, and email the form to info@communityartscenter.org before the first day of class.
Registration is not complete until the form has been received by the CAC office.
Clay is not included in lab fee. Clay is to be purchased through the office. Purchase can be made via email, by phone and/or in person during office hours. Please note specific clay body when placing order. Porcelain clay bodies (257 and 437) are priced at $60 per unit. Non-porcelain clay bodies are priced at $35 per unit. Purchase in advance of class and present receipt to instructor before collecting clay.
Please note: Students who wish to fire work in the soda kiln and are currently registered in a class that is not soda kiln specific can do so for an additional $25 fee/semester. Only available to students who have previously taken a soda specific class or workshop at CAC
- Clear 5-gallon plastic bags for covering your work (the small office trash can size).
- Fettling knife (essential for hand builders; optional for wheel throwers). A thin paring knife also works well if you prefer a finer, sharper blade.
- Kemper Hardwood Pottery Tool Kit (highly recommended). Look for the hardwood version with dark stained wood handles. It typically costs $22.50-$30 and includes a sponge, trimming tools, wire cutter, metal rib, wooden rib, and wooden knife. Comparable tools are also fine.
- Optional: One 2-gallon bucket with lid if you plan to save your own reclaim clay.
- Clay and tools are available for purchase at CAC as noted in the Special Notes above.
Patrick Hoban
Pat Hoban was born in the suburbs of Philadelphia where he discovered his love of ceramics as a freshman in high school. From there, he went onto study ceramics and sculpture at Penn State University, where he received his BFA in Sculpture in 2015. In 2016, He received a full scholarship and assistantship to the University of Alabama. There, he exhibited work at various galleries in town and around Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, AL as well as had two solo exhibitions. He also has three permanent public art pieces displayed in various cities in Alabama. In spring of 2019 he graduated with his MFA in Ceramics. From there, he became the woodfire kiln tech at the Clay Studio of Missoula and a teaching artist at the Missoula Art Museum where he educated many community artists as well as elementary and middle school students in the area in various artistic mediums. While In Missoula, he exhibited work in various juried shows, community exhibitions and was a Resident Potter for the Missoula Tea Company. He is now a kiln tech and teacher for the Community Art Center.