Workshops & Events | Student Center | SIU

Handbuilding with Clay

Saturday, February 1 • 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. / Paint Bar

Cost: $25 students / $30 community. Materials include 2 1/2 lb of clay, slips, and glazes.

This workshop will focus on hand-building techniques coil and pinch. You decide what you would like to make: a mug, tray, ring dish, and/or plate. We will use slips to add color and finish pieces. After kiln firing, a return visit will be needed to pick up the project. Firing is included in the workshop fee. 

Instructor: Sarah Willes, Craft Shop Graduate Assistant

All ages, children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Valentine Heart Tie Dye

Saturday, February 8 • 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. / Paint Bar

Cost: $10 SIU Students / $12 community, Dye supplies included, Bring items to dye. 

Learn to make a Valentine-inspired tie-dye with a heart pattern. We have all the supplies you need for dyeing. Bring 2 - 3 t-shirts or natural fiber items to tie-dye, the item should be prewashed to remove factory sizing, giving you brighter colors. The Craft Shop supply store will also have t-shirts, pillowcases, cotton tote bags, and tapestries for dying and available for purchase. Make one for yourself and someone you love!

Craft Shop Instructor: Sarah Willes, Craft Shop Graduate Assistant

Wheel Thrown Pottery  

Session One: Tuesday, February 4, 11, 18, 25 (4 weeks)  • 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. / Ceramics Studio

Craft Shop Instructor: Stephanie Dukat, Craft Shop Coordinator

Cost: $85 students / $95 community. Clay is an extra $16 for 10lbs SIU students / $18 Community

Learn the basics of throwing clay on the potter's wheel. Each week will focus on how to make a different form on the wheel from cups, bowls, and plates. The final class will focus on glazing and finishing. A return visit will be needed to pick up the final work after the glaze firing approximately 2 weeks after the last class. Perfect for beginners or those wanting to improve their skills.

Age 16+ 

Printmaking with Linoleum

Saturday, March 1 • 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. / Paint Bar

Cost: $25 SIU Students / $30 community, Materials included.

This workshop will teach you how to design, cut, and print with a linoleum block to make a 4" x 6" print. The prints can then be used to make greeting cards or art prints. Younger students can use the foam print technique. Materials include: one 4" x 6" Lino block, ink, and paper. Additional blocks can be purchased if requested. 

Craft Shop Instructor: Sarah Willes, Craft Shop Graduate Assistant

Intro to Stained Glass – Copper Foil

Tuesday & Thursday nights, March 18, 20, 25, 27  • 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. / Paint Bar

The cost is $110 for students / $130 for the community. Materials are extra. Supplies can be purchased at the Craft Shop front desk.

Students will be taught the basic skills of stained glass to complete a small project using simple geometric shapes. The class will create a project using class patterns, cutting, grinding, copper foiling, soldering, and finishing. Beginning to intermediate skill levels are welcome. Closed-toed shoes are required. Materials are extra, and a large selection of stained glass is available at the Craft Shop supply shop.

Instructor: Tina Price, Community Instructor

Handbuilding with Clay: Egg Tray

Saturday, March 22 • 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. / Paint Bar

Cost: $25 students / $30 community. Materials extra.

Join us for a fun slab-built clay project! This class teaches you the basics of building an egg tray with soft slabs. We will decorate the tray using slips. A return visit will be needed to pick up the tray after the glaze firing. All ages are welcome! 

Instructor: Sarah Willes, Craft Shop Graduate Assistant

All ages are welcome. An adult must accompany children under 16. 

Pottery Night: Wheel Throwing

Wednesday, April 2 • 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. / Ceramics Studio

Cost: $30 students / $35 community Materials are included. 

This one-night wheel-throwing workshop is perfect for beginners and those wanting a refresher. Learn to throw pottery from start to finish using the pottery wheel to make a simple cup. Pick your glaze and our staff will glaze it for you. All materials are included.

Craft Shop Instructor: Stephanie Dukat, Craft Shop Coordinator

Age 14+ 

Papermaking: Seed Cards

Tuesday, April 15 • 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. / Paint Bar

Cost: $15 for SIU Students / $20 community, Materials are included.

Celebrate Spring Planting season with some seed paper! Create handmade paper from start to finish using recycled materials. You will learn how to prep materials to create paper pulp, design, and cast sheets of paper using our Hollander Beater. We will add seeds and other items from nature such as dried leaves and flower petals to our paper. A return visit will be required to pick up the paper after it dries. Materials are included.

Instructor: Stephanie Dukat, Craft Shop Coordinator

Wheel Thrown Pottery: Session Two

Saturday, April 12, 19, 26 (3 weeks) • 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. / Ceramics Studio

Craft Shop Instructor: Sarah Willes, Graduate Assistant

Cost: $65 students / $75 community. Clay is an extra $16 for 10lbs SIU students / $18 Community

Learn the basics of throwing clay on the potter's wheel. Each week will focus on how to make a different form on the wheel from cups, bowls, and plates. The final class will focus on glazing and finishing. A return visit will be needed to pick up the final work after the glaze firing approximately 2 weeks after the last class. Perfect for beginners or those wanting to improve their skills.

Age 16+ 

Fused Glass Suncatchers

Tuesday, April 29 • 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. / Paint Bar

Cost: $20 students / $25 community. Materials extra.

Learn how to cut, layer, and melt fused glass to create a glass Suncatcher. A return visit is required to pick up the finished product after kiln firing. Glass is extra and can be purchased at the Craft Shop Supply store, kiln firing is included in the class fee.

Instructor: Stephanie Dukat, Craft Shop Coordinator