Hand building: Nature and Organic Sculpture with Madalyn Olson, Ages 18+

Hand building: Nature and Organic Sculpture with Madalyn Olson

Wednesdays, September 2nd- October 21st

Ages 18+

6-9pm

$300

25# clay, glazes, firings included.  Additional clay available for purchase

Also included with the purchase of this class is access to this session's self guided Clay Labs, of which each current student is entitled to up to three hours of per week. During Clay Lab, students will be able to hone skills and work on projects. Labs will not have an instructor but will be monitored. 

Clay Labs

Mondays, September 14 - October 26, 3-6pm 

Wednesdays, September 9th - October 28th, 8:30-11am

Thursdays, September 3rd - October 29th, 12-3 and 6-9pm

Each student is entitled to up to 3 hours of Clay Lab time per week.  The student can choose to use it all at once or split it up into separate days.

This eight week class introduces beginner and intermediate students to the fundamentals of ceramic hand building with a focus on nature inspired sculpture. Throughout the session, you’ll explore forms drawn from flora, fauna, and other organic shapes, learning how to translate living elements into three-dimensional clay work. You’ll practice core hand building techniques including pinching, coiling, slab construction, hollow form building, and surface carving. Each week builds on the last, guiding you from simple studies to more developed sculptures. Projects may include plant forms, animal figures, natural textures, and abstract organic shapes. Instruction covers design, working with solid and hollow forms, refining details, and preparing pieces for drying and firing. This class emphasizes skill development, observation, and hands on practice, making it suitable for students who are new to sculpture as well as those looking to expand their ceramic abilities. This course is designed to help you build confidence, learn essential techniques, and create nature based ceramic sculptures from start to finish.

Madalyn brings over a decade of teaching experience and a background in early childhood education, ensuring a supportive, student-centered, go at your own pace, approach that encourages creativity and personal expression. Madalyn began exploring sculpture with her polymer clay hyperrealist/surrealist portrait sculptures. In recent years she has shifted her medium to ceramics. Her personal work is greatly influenced by the natural world and human emotion. She now works full time as a lead ceramist for an artisan ceramic fountain company.