Instructor: Chris Smith
October 1 - November 5
9am - 12pm
6 sessions
Includes Tuesday Open Studio: 12pm - 4pm

Handbuilding with Chris Smith is an exciting onsite class that is designed to expose both new and advanced students to the fun techniques and joys of handbuilding. Demonstrations for basic handbuilding will be cumulative and respond to each person’s unique way of touching clay. The malleability of clay offers exciting possibilities for unique and personal expression. Traditional forms of ceramics as well as more contemporary sculptural forms will be explored. Student interest will drive the class forward from week to week. Be ready to be brave and have a lot of fun!

Christopher Smith completed his Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth, Massachusetts in the spring of 2020. Prior to his graduate degree, he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Vedic Science.  Christopher’s work involves the process of wheel-thrown and handbuilt ceramics, atmospheric-firing conditions and locally sourced materials. Christopher also worked as an assistant to ceramic artist Chris Gustin. Selected accolades include the 2018 Karon Richardson Doherty Memorial Scholarship, 2017 George and Ellen McKinnon Scholarship, and in 2016 the Outstanding Student Award in the Field of Fine arts.

Note to students:

• *(NEW) A 25lb bag of stoneware or B-Mix clay is now included in the cost of the class.
  Clay is now only purchased online. Please pay for your clay prior to requesting clay from your instructor. Please show an emailed receipt or screenshot of payment.

• Clay for these classes must be purchased from Castle Hill for technical considerations. We are a cone 10 studio offering a tan stoneware clay, a white porcelaineous clay (b-mix), and porcelain.

• If you would like a towel or apron please bring your own. Castle Hill provides all of the basic tools but feel free to bring your favorite tools and or any specialty tools. Bagged clay can stay in the classroom till the last day of class. Please bring it home even if you are in the following session so staff can give the studio a deep clean.

• Open Studio time is available for current students for $25 on both Monday and Tuesday in the Throwing room from 9am - noon and from 1pm - 4pm. Please do not enter the studio early and be cleaned up and ready to leave at the end of your session’s time.

• Open Studio Glaze time is available for current students for $25 on Monday from 9am - noon and from 1pm - 4pm. There will only be two students per glaze session. Please do not enter the studio early and be cleaned up and ready to leave at the end of your session’s time.

• If you have any questions please email the Ceramic’s Director Chris at: christophersmith@castlehill.org