ABOUT CLASSES
We have two 14-week class sessions at the Potters Guild, one in the fall and the other in the winter months. They are scheduled for one evening per week for three hours. There are two separate class groups, each with up to 14 students. Classes include 21 lab hours when students may choose to work at the Guild outside of the class hours.
FEES
The class fee is $490 and includes clay, glaze materials, kiln firing and lab hours. If you need to cancel your registration, we make every effort to provide a full refund minus a $25 handling fee, provided we are able to fill the vacant spot. Should the space remain unfilled we apologize, but we will be unable to provide a refund.
TAKE A BREAK
If you have taken four consecutive classes at the Guild you will be asked to step aside for a class session. This gives people who are on the waiting list an opportunity to take a class. Your name will be added to the bottom of the waiting list so it may still be possible for you to enroll.
SCHOLARSHIP
A scholarship of up to $490is available for each class session. The scholarships the for winter/spring semester have been issued. New scholarships will be available in the Fall of 2026.
QUESTIONS?
Send an email to the registrar, Debbie Thompson pgregistrar@gmail.com If you would like to see the facilities.
SURFACE FOCUS: Thrown & Hand Built Forms
Taught by Jane White
Tuesdays, August 18 to November 17
$490 includes materials, firing and studio time
This class is currently full.
SURFACE FOCUS: Thrown & Hand Built Forms
About Jane: Ceramics studios, for last 43 years, have provided Big Fun to Jane. Her work always has at least one foot in the magic/physics/materials' qualities of ceramics processes. She has had the privilege of teaching for many academic and community programs and enjoys all the activity of classrooms
Thursday Class with Jon Van Eyk
Taught by Jon Van Eyk
Thursdays, August 20 to November 19
$490 includes materials, firing and studio time
Jon will be teaching both wheel throwing and hand building methods emphasizing strong foundational skills. Learning wheel skills, sculpting from thrown forms, handle-making methods and the use of ceramic taps and dies for threaded vessels will be covered. In addition, instruction in glazing processes and techniques will be offered through out the semester. This class is appropriate for beginning students as well as advanced.
About Jon: Jon spent most of the 1980s (1982–1990) as both a student and later an Associate Member of the Ann Arbor Potters Guild. From 1990 to 2000, he balanced a demanding schedule that included raising five children, working, and pursuing his education. In 2000, he earned a BFA in Ceramics from Eastern Michigan University and immediately continued into the MFA program at the same institution. During his graduate studies, he served for two semesters as a Jon spent most of the 1980s (1982–1990) as both a student and later an Associate Member of the Ann Arbor Potters Guild. From 1990 to 2000, he balanced a demanding schedule that included raising five children, working, and pursuing his education. In 2000, he earned a BFA in Ceramics from Eastern Michigan University and immediately continued into the MFA program at the same institution. During his graduate studies, he served for two semesters as a teaching assistant for a “Ceramics for Non-Majors” course. Jon later established a home studio in Ann Arbor and founded Van Eck Pottery & Tile Works, maintaining his pottery practice while also dedicating more time to painting and writing between 2009 and 2018. His work received recognition through exhibitions such as the “Cabinet of Curiosity Show” at Columbia University in 2011 and “Art for God’s Sake” in Troy, Michigan, in 2013. Returning his primary focus to ceramics in 2015, he taught a class on extruded ceramic dies at the Ann Arbor Potters Guild, followed by additional teaching there in 2016. He began teaching at the Ann Arbor Art Center in June 2018 and, in September 2021, started instructing at the Village Potters Guild in Plymouth, Michigan. Currently, Jon focuses primarily on creating face jugs; throwing the vessel form and then sculpting expressive faces. He recently led workshops on handle-making techniques and the use of ceramic taps and dies for threaded vessels. Jon will be teaching both wheel throwing and hand building, emphasizing strong foundational skills.
QUESTIONS? Send an email to pgregistrar@gmail.com
If you would like to see the facilities, this can be arranged by sending an email to the Registrar, Debbie Thompson.
A testimonial from one of our students:
My experience as a first time student at the Guild was such a wonderful and fulfilling experience. The community welcomed me with open arms, warm hellos, and invaluable sharing of knowledge. I was so excited to enroll in the class, and due to my current financial state, the scholarship allowed me the ability to do so! I am deeply grateful for the generosity of the Guild and its granting me of the scholarship. Thank you to all those involved, I cannot describe how I've valued connecting with these incredible individuals, the resources, and this creative environment.
Alyse G. Ann Arbor