Animated: All-Levels Sculptural Clay
Instructor: Joe Wilkinson
Thursdays 7:30-9:30pm
Sept 19th - Nov 21th
$425 (Does not include clay)

Explore the captivating world of clay sculpture in our dynamic class open to all skill levels. Dive into the art of creating animated animal sculptures. Whether you're sculpting whimsical creatures or realistic wildlife, learn to craft expressive features such as eyes, feet, and fur that bring your creations to life. Our experienced instructor, Joe, will guide you through techniques for modeling, texturing, and detailing expressive clay creations. Join us for an inspiring journey where the possibilities with clay are as limitless as your imagination!

Eligibility: All Levels Welcome! You must be 15+ years of age to participate. This class is a great fit for those wanting to try clay for the first time or grow their skills with an instructor present to ask questions. There is a 15” maximum size, in any direction, when creating with clay at RCC.

Materials: Clay is $40 for new clay or at times we have recycled clay for sale for $15.
This is a separate purchase from your class fee. Purchase clay HERE and we will have it in your cubby on the first day of class.

Bring an apron, comfy clothes, a quart-sized container (like a yogurt container), and a beginner's set of tools to the first class.

Tool kits are available for purchase online or at SPS or CAC. Or here is another option on Amazon. The class fee includes all glazing materials, firings, and generous open-studio access for practice time. All levels welcome - come join the fun!

About the Instructor:
Joe Wilkinson (he/him)

Artist Joe Wilkinson received his BFA from the University of Colorado, Boulder and his MFA from Michigan State University. His work in clay began in 2008 finding inspiration in the material at the Colorado Mountain College in Breckenridge, Colorado. Post graduate school 2016,  Joe moved to Seattle, WA to start his career finding a welcoming arts community at Pottery Northwest, Seward Park Clay Studio, and Rat City Studio. He lives and shares studio space with his girlfriend, Studio Potter, Deborah Schwartzkopf. In addition to his own artwork, Joe is a metal fabricator building custom railings, staircases, and other household items for a Seattle contractor. Joe's work is represented by Culture Object Gallery, in NYC and Eutectic Gallery, in Portland, OR.

Joe’s work examines and celebrates a state of flux. Liminal moments, outside of the ritual of determined pattern, stir and agitate existing parameters. They penetrate into the unconscious, creating new spaces from which to examine and comprehend shifting realities. Patterns or “self-similarity” within nature inspire us to situate ourselves into various states of organization and behaviors. We seek the utmost efficiency to live a deterministic existence. However, as soon as a piece of the pattern is interrupted, chaos ensues, leaving us in an uncomfortable state of uncertainty.

Sculpture by Irene Nelson

About the Teaching Assistant
Irene Nelson (she/her)

Irene grew up on the Central Coast of California and studied fashion design at UC Davis. She worked in the bridal industry for several years before moving to Seattle and transitioning to the tech world as a UX designer. She began ceramics in 2018 and quickly was drawn to the sculptural possibilities of clay.

In her current work, Irene seeks to portray a limitless Antarctic shoreline, stark but teeming with life. Her ceramic pieces are primarily reliefs, sculptures, and sculptural vessels. She particularly enjoys varying dimensionality within her artwork: a single sculpture may start out with an area of incised “line art” relief, progress through low or mid relief, and end up as a Baroque explosion of life bursting from the surface. 

Class refund policy:

Cancellations must be made via email to info@raincityclay.com
If you want to cancel your class, you may request a refund based on the bullet points below. Then you may rebook yourself for a class that fits better into your schedule. Last-minute cancellations in classes are difficult to fill - please double-check your schedule before committing to an event. Refunds take several business days to process from the date we receive the email request.

  • 100% of tuition (less a $15 processing fee) will be refunded if a student elects to drop a class no later than ten days (10 days) before the first class meeting.

  • 80% of tuition (less a $15 processing fee) will be refunded if a student drops a class within 7 business days before the first class meeting.

  • 50% of tuition (less a $15 processing fee) will be refunded if a student drops a class within 3 business days before the first class meeting.

  • 0% of tuition is refunded if cancellation is made within two days of class for any reason except for documented medical emergencies. (providing a doctor's note). There are no other exceptions to this policy.

  • No refunds or credit will be given for missed classes. Students currently enrolled in 10-week classes may practice during open studio time to build skills even if a class is missed. One-day clay events and lessons do not come with open studio time.

  • We reserve the right to cancel a class or workshop up to 3 days in advance of the first class due to insufficient enrollment. If a class is canceled, you will be offered the option of another class or a full refund.