Workshops & Events | Student Center | SIU

Fused Glass Coasters

Tuesday, August 29 • 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. / Paint Bar

Learn the basics of how to cut, layer, and melt fused glass to create a set of (4) 4 “x 4” inch colorful coasters. 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.

Cost: $20 student / $25 community, glass extra. 

Instructor: Stephanie Dukat, Craft Shop Coordinator

Ages: 16+ 

Session 1 - Saturday, September 2 • 1 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.  / Wood Shop

Session 2 - Saturday, September 16 • 1 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. / Wood Shop

Cost: Free

Interested in using our Wood Shop! Join us for an introduction to the tools and machines in the shop and learn how to use them safely. This workshop is free, please register due to limited space. After class, the safety test can be taken. 

Fall Semester Wood Shop Hours - Friday 2 PM - 5 PM & Saturday 12 PM - 4 PM

Instructor: Clayton Curry

Slab Built Coffee Mugs

Tuesday, September 19 • 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. / Paint Bar

Cost: $25 student / $30 community, Material includes: 2 1/2 lbs of clay and all slips, glazes, and firings.

Learn to make a custom ceramic mug using hand-building techniques of slab building with decorative surfaces.  Materials include 2 ½ lbs. of clay, slips, glazes, and firings. Let us know what color to glaze or come back to glaze it yourself.

Instructor: TBD, Craft Shop Staff

Intro to Wheel Throwing - 4 weeks   

Session One: Wednesday, Sept 20, 27, Oct 4, 11 • 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. / Ceramics Studio  * CANCELED *

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.

Craft Shop Instructor: Sarah Willis, Graduate Assistant

Age - 16+ 

Cost: $80 students / $90 community. Clay is extra $16 for 10lbs SIU students / $18 Community

Intro to Embroidery

Tuesday, September 26 • 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. / Paint Bar

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

Add some handmade style to your clothes. This workshop will teach you basic embroidery stitched to create a small patch. An 8-inch embroidery hoop, fabric, needle, threader, and string are included in class kit. 

Instructor: Riley Weber, Craft Shop Student Staff

Intro to Stained Glass – Copper Foil

Tuesday & Thursday nights, October 3, 5, 10 & 12 • 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. / Paint Bar

Cost: $100 students / $120 community, Materials extra. Supplies can be purchased at Craft Shop front desk.

Instructor: Tina Price, Community Instructor

Students will be taught the basic skills of stained glass to complete a small (5x7 – 6x9) panel using simple geometric shapes. The class will create a project using class patterns, cutting, grinding, copper foiling, soldering, and finishing. Beginning to immediate skills levels welcomed. Closed-toed shoes are required. Materials are extra, a large selection of stained glass is available at the Craft Shop supply shop.

Painting with Plaster

Wednesday, October 4 • 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. / Paint Bar

Cost: $35 students / $40 community, materials included.    

Learn to create a large graphic plaster painting using texture tools onto a stretched canvas. Dye the plaster with pigment or keep it white for a classic look. This style of creation is a great way to add some graphic style to your home décor. Materials are including 20 x 24 canvas, plaster, and paint. A return visit may be required to pick up the finished painting after drying.

 Instructor: Anna Marie Peskta, Craft Shop Student Staff

Intro to Wheel Throwing - 4 weeks   

Session Two: Wednesday, Oct 25, Nov 1, 8, 15 • 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

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.

Craft Shop Instructor: Sarah Willis, Graduate Assistant

Age - 16+ 

Cost: $80 students / $90 community. Clay is extra $16 for 10lbs SIU students / $18 Community

Clay Pumpkins

Thursday, October 12 • 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. / Paint Bar

Cost: $25 students / $30 community, materials included.

Create a ceramic pumpkin using hand-building techniques of pinch and coil. Carve in a spooky face or leave it blank for a classic look. Our staff will glaze it for you, a return visit in approx. two weeks is required after firings to pick up the finished piece just in time for Halloween. All materials are included. All ages are welcome!

Instructor: TBD, Craft Shop Staff

Painting: Floral Still-life

Wednesday, October 18 • 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. / Paint Bar

Cost: $25 students / $30 community, materials Included

Join us for a floral still-life-themed painting night. The class will refer to a fresh bouquet of flowers and paint from life using acrylic paint on an 11” x 14” stretched canvas. We will discuss the layout of the painting, creating an underpainting, and layering paint for a more detailed look.

Instructor: AnnaMarie Peskta, Craft Shop Staff

Painting: Halloween Theme

Friday, October 27 • 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. / Paint Bar

Cost: $25 students / $30 community, materials Included

Join us for a Halloween-themed painting night. The class will create a spooky painting using acrylic paint on an 11” x 14” stretched canvas.

Instructor: Marshall Darnell, Craft Shop Student Staff

Fused Glass Snowflake

Wednesday, November 8 • 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. / Paint Bar

Cost: $20 student / $25 community, glass extra. 

Learn the basics of how to cut, layer, and melt fused glass to create snowflakes. 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: Anna Marie Peskta, Craft Shop Student Staff

Printmaking: Linoleum Carving

Friday, November 10 • 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. / Paint Bar

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

This workshop will teach you how to design, cut the printing plate with gouges, and print with a linoleum block to make a 4" x 6" print. During the workshop, you will print a series of prints using our block printing press. Younger students can use the foam print technique. Materials are included.

Instructor: Marshall Darnell, Craft Shop Student Staff

Sewing: Throw Pillow

Tuesday, November 14 • 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. / Paint Bar

Cost: $25 students / $30 community.

Learn to sew your very own 16 x 16 throw pillow case. Fabric is extra, 16 x 16 throw pillow included, feel free to bring your own cotton fabric or shop for fabric selection at the Craft Shop Supply store. Great project for sewing beginners! 

Instructor: Riley Weber, Craft Shop Student Staff

Ceramics: Test Tiles & Mixing Glazes  * rescheduled to Spring semester *

Spring Semester - January 30 & February 6 • 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. / Paint Bar

Cost: Free student / $15 Community

Learn how ceramic glazes are made! The workshop will focus on experimentation, we will make test tiles and explore how to make ceramic glazes. The class will learn to find a recipe and mix our own cone04 glazes from recipes and create test tiles. We will use the new kiln we received as part of the SIU Student Green Fee to fire tiles and view the results during the second session of the workshop.

This workshop was made possible by a grant from the SIU Student Green Fee.

Instructor: Stephanie Dukat, Craft Shop Coordinator