Craft Shop | Student Center | SIU

Get a private lesson and watch your skills grow. We offer private lessons in most workshop areas. Lessons are available mornings, afternoons, and evenings depending on the availability of the instructors.

Private Lesson Rates

• 1 person $24 per hour 
• 2 people $15 each per hour
• 3 - 4 people $10 each per hour
• 5-7 people $8 each per hour

Materials are extra.

Subjects:

• Ceramics - Wheel Throwing - age: 7 +
• Ceramics - Handbuilding - all ages
• Printmaking * - age - 7+ 
• Drawing - all ages
• Fused Glass * - age: 16+
• Painting - all ages
• Sewing * -  age - 7+
• Metalsmithing *- age: 16 +
• Woodworking * - age:18 +
• Woodcarving * - age: 18 +

*Liability waiver required to use equipment

If you have other private lesson requests please ask. We may have someone on staff with that skill.

Contact the Craft Shop for more information or to set up an appointment.

Phone: 618/453-3636
E-mail: craftshop@siu.edu

CERAMICS STUDIO

Toss your troubles aside by “throwing” or hand building with clay in the Ceramics Studio. The Ceramics Studio features:

• 8wheels: 7 Brent electric wheels, 1 Brent rehabilitation wheel (wheelchair accessible)
• 2 electric oxidation kilns - firing to cone 04
• Cone 04 earthenware clays, slips, and glazes
• An extruder
• A grinding wheel
• Slump molds
• Tool kit - ask at the front desk

All you have to do is provide inspiration and motivation. The Ceramics Studio provides a great atmosphere for all ages. The studio is set up in a “self-help” environment, however, ceramic workshops and private lessons are offered throughout the year.

• Clay must be purchased in the Craft Shop. No outside clay is allowed.
• Clay Prices: 
  •  2.5 lbs. - $5  SIU student / $6 community 
  •  5 lbs. - $8 SIU students / $9 community 
  • 10 lbs.-  $16 for SIU Students / $18 community
    
    • if using the ceramics studio clay costs include firing fee and use of supplies in the studio. 
    • $2.50 for 2 oz for slips and glaze. 
• We typically fire once a week but try to be green and fired when we have enough to fill the kiln. 

** The Ceramic Studio closes 15 minutes before the Craft Shop's closing time.

Ceramics Demonstration

FRAME SHOP

Are you getting ready for an art show? Just had your family photo taken? Want to preserve that drawing you made in college? Our frame shop is here to help! Our professional framers will assist you in choosing the right custom frames, mats, glass, and mounting procedures to display your pictures exactly the way you want them. The Frame shop is open to the public stop and bring your artwork in for a quote.

THE FRAME SHOP FEATURES:

• Four C+H Professional Mat Cutters.
• A Fletcher 3000 Multi-Material Wall-Mount Cutter
• An upright frame chopper and miter saw for those perfect 45˚ corners
• Four corner vices for joining frames
• A 24” wide lamination press
• A great variety of in-stock choppable frame lengths and stretcher bars and a full range of orderable custom frame moldings
• Archival and Acid-Free mats, backing, glass, and mounting procedures for conservation framing
• A range of materials to suit any project or pocketbook
• The best prices in town

VOLUNTEERING AND JOBS

Volunteers

Volunteer opportunities are plentiful around the Craft Shop. Students and community members alike can volunteer their time to help with projects. Volunteer times are Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please send us an e-mail craftshop@siu.edu or contact us at 618/453-3636 for more information.

Instructors Needed

Would you be interested in sharing a skill, craft, and/or talent? The Craft Shop is always looking for optimistic and driven individuals who are excited about teaching workshops geared toward their craft or profession. Instructing at the Craft Shop gets people interested in your work, is a great way to make connections, and makes a great addition to your resume. Send us an e-mail or contact us at 618/453-3636 to schedule an interview.

Student Work

Are you a creative and energetic person? Are you a student at SIU? Do you qualify for Federal Work Study? Need an awesome job on campus? Come join our family at the Student Center Craft Shop! To find out if we are hiring this semester, stop by the Craft Shop, call us at 618/453-3636, or e-mail us.

The Craft Shop employs a handful of exceptional and knowledgeable students for our wood shop staff. 

Art Supply Donations

The Craft Shop accepts donations of gently used or new art supplies and tools. Drop off during open hours or call 618.453.3636 or email craftshop@siu.edu to make an appointment.

Craft Shop Staff Fall 2024: 

Stephanie Dukat 

Craft Shop Coordinator

Stephanie Dukat is originally from Depew, New York, a suburb of Buffalo. She graduated from Buffalo State College in 2011 with a BS in art education and a BFA in ceramics. In 2016, she received an MFA in ceramics from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. In addition to her role as Craft Shop Coordinator, Stephanie maintains an active studio practice focusing on functional and sculpture ceramics. Her ceramics work explores nostalgic motifs of landscape and memory using clay, fibers, and printmaking. She is fortunate to make her work at her home studio in Ava, IL. View Stephaneie's work at www.stephaniedukat.com

Sarah Willes

Graduate Assistant - 3rd-year Ceramics MFA Candidate 

Sarah grew up in San Diego, California. In 2022, she received a BA in Book Arts at the University of California Santa Barbara which synthesized printmaking and bookbinding into one craft. She is currently working on her MFA in Ceramics at SIU Carbondale. View Sarah's work at www.sarahwilles.com

Kara Nichols - Undergrad - Horticulture / Frame Shop

AnnaMarie Peskta - Undergrad - Psychology

Kalie Henderson - Undergrad - Ceramics

Brianna Nieset - Undergrad - Architecture

Aamirra Meyers - Undergrad - Social Work

Kai Malinski- Undergrad, Graphic Design

Andrew Kinne  -  Undergrad Aviation Major / Wood Shop Tech