For Kids

Overview

• 6 Wednesdays, 9-10:30am, 11/4-12/9

• Ages 6-12 are welcome

• Cost: $150 + $30 materials (all materials are included)

• Beginners and returners welcome!

Looking for an opportunity to stretch your creativity and challenge your problem-solving skills? Join us for an art class specifically designed for homeschooled kids. Half of our sessions will be led by Mary and the other half will be led by LP. Mary has a wealth of knowledge about color, experimentation, drawing, and painting. LP has a background in sculpture and ceramics. Together they will bring opportunities to experiment and explore new mediums in a fun and encouraging environment.

About the Instructors

LP Keller fell in love with the Friendly City when she studied art at JMU. In 2016, she earned a BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Ceramics. She is a certified art teacher in Virginia and used to teach art in Harrisonburg City Public Schools. She has been teaching with FCCAC from the beginning and has loved getting to know this growing clay community. She loves seeing how her students express themselves through clay.

My name is Marydean, but everyone calls me Mary. I have been creating for my art business, Marydean Draws since 2013. I've taught art to children and adults in various classes over the last ten years along with online watercolor tutorials on my blog. I have been using watercolor and mixed media materials to create collection for prints in my shop and display at various local shows including the JMU Arboretum, The Lady Jane Shop, and The Church of the Incarnation. I usually paint florals, birds, and landscapes, with a focus on color and an interest in using watercolor, pastels, and papers in non-traditional ways.

Class Cancellations and Absence

Refunds minus a 10% or $20 processing fee (whichever is lower) are offered until 14 days before the start of class. After that, we do not offer refunds. We don’t offer refunds for missed classes, so please be sure you can attend all sessions of a class, or that you are okay with missing any that you’ll be away for. You can find out more on our studio policies page.

Overview

• Multiple sessions available! Choose your session from the drop down below.

• Ages 6-11 are welcome

• Cost: $125 + $20 materials (all materials are included)

• Beginners and returners welcome!

In this class we will learn the basics of handbuilding with clay! We will learn how to make pinch and coil pots and how to build on those basics to bring your imagination to life.

Our goal for this class is to create a foundation for continuing to explore clay in the future and to see where our imagination can take us.

We offer a 10% sibling discount for additional registrations (use coupon code SIBLING at checkout).

About the Instructor:

Kathryn was raised in the Shenandoah Valley and earned her B.A. in Art from Messiah College and Eastern Mennonite University and her M.R. from Eastern Mennonite Seminary. She loves to work in a wide spectrum of mediums, her main mediums are photography, painting, and ceramics. She is largely influenced by abstract expressionists such as Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, Williem de Kooning, and Wassily Kandinsky. Kathryn’s passion for art stems from her love of color and texture and the emotion that can be created. She loves using both the pottery wheel and handbuilding techniques in tandem to create functional pieces with a touch of whimsy.

Class Cancellations and Absence

Refunds minus a 10% or $20 processing fee (whichever is lower) are offered until 14 days before the start of class. After that, we do not offer refunds. We don’t offer refunds for missed classes, so please be sure you can attend all sessions of a class, or that you are okay with missing any that you’ll be away for. You can find out more on our studio policies page.

Overview

• Multiple sessions available! Choose your session from the drop down below.

  • Wheel Focus: 6 Tuesdays 5:15-7:15pm, 9/15-10/20

  • Wheel Focus: 6 Tuesdays, 5:15-7:15pm, 11/3-12/8

• Ages 11-15 are welcome (although special cases may be made for particularly motivated students outside of this age range. Please email laurapaige@friendlycityclay.com if you have a student you'd like to enroll)

• Cost: $200 + $25 materials (all materials are included)

• Beginners and returners welcome!

Wheel Focus:

Learn the fundamentals of the pottery wheel in this hands-on after-school class! Students will build confidence through guided practice while learning essential wheel-throwing techniques including centering clay, pulling walls, creating cylinders and bowls, trimming, attaching handles, and glazing finished pieces.

Whether you're trying the pottery wheel for the first time or looking to improve your skills, this class offers a supportive, creative environment where students can develop new techniques at their own pace and create functional pottery to take home.

A note for younger students: The pottery wheel can be a challenge for smaller hands and bodies. We’ll provide plenty of guidance and support so everyone can enjoy the process at their own pace. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!

A service dog will be present during class sessions.

• We offer a 10% sibling discount for additional registrations (use coupon code SIBLING at checkout).

About the Instructor:

Cass Walker is a multimedia artist who loves helping others explore new creative experiences. With a background in drawing, painting, photography, and ceramics, she brings a hands-on, curious approach to teaching. Cassidy graduated from Eastern Mennonite University, earning degrees in Art, Photography, and Digital Media. She enjoys guiding students as they experiment with new techniques, develop their own ideas, and gain confidence in their artistic abilities, whether on the pottery wheel, through handbuilding, or in other creative projects.

Class Cancellations and Absence

Refunds minus a 10% or $20 processing fee (whichever is lower) are offered until 14 days before the start of class. After that, we do not offer refunds. We don’t offer refunds for missed classes, so please be sure you can attend all sessions of a class, or that you are okay with missing any that you’ll be away for. You can find out more on our studio policies page.

Overview

• Saturday, October 17, 9-11:30am

• Ages 6 and up are welcome

• Cost: $55 + $10 materials (all materials are included)

• Beginners and returners welcome!

Gamers Unite! Join us for a morning of handbuilding our favorite characters from the Nintendo universes. We'll use basic handbuilding and sculpting techniques to build our characters. Beginners are welcome. Come with some ideas for your creation!

About the Instructor:

Kathryn was raised in the Shenandoah Valley and earned her B.A. in Art from Messiah College and Eastern Mennonite University. She loves to work in a wide spectrum of mediums, her main mediums are photography, painting, and ceramics. She is largely influenced by abstract expressionists such as Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, Williem de Kooning, and Wassily Kandinsky. Kathryn’s passion for art stems from her love of color, pattern, and texture and the movement and emotion that can be created.

Class Cancellations and Absence

Refunds minus a 10% or $20 processing fee (whichever is lower) are offered until 14 days before the start of class. After that, we do not offer refunds. We don’t offer refunds for missed classes, so please be sure you can attend all sessions of a class, or that you are okay with missing any that you’ll be away for. You can find out more on our studio policies page.

Overview

• Multiple sessions available! Choose your session from the drop down below.

• Ages 13 and up are welcome

• Cost: $50 + $5 materials (all materials are included) 

• Beginners welcome!

Do you want to create beautiful and interesting paintings? Choosing a color is one of the first and most important decisions you’ll make, but can seem mysterious. In this one-day workshop, I’ll introduce you to basic color theory, the color wheel, and how to mix colors easily and strategically. You’ll create two color mixing charts that you can use for future reference. You’ll see the amazing variety of colors you can mix with just a few starting colors and a basic understanding of color theory. 

The aim of the class is to take the mystery out of mixing colors and help you mix confidently and joyously to create more complex and interesting paintings! This is a fun and interactive class and perfect for beginners.

Note: If you’ve taken the Intro to Watercolor Class, this is the lesson from Class #2.

What students are saying about this teacher:

“I think Mary is a wonderful instructor.  She makes watercolor fun especially to a student like me who is not the greatest when it comes to any art project.  But, I have always loved coloring, painting and art projects such as mosaics since I was a child.  I enjoy Mary’s classes because they are fun and non-judgmental.  I love the ambience of her classes as well as the people who love her as much as I do.” - Suzanne

About the Instructor

My name is Marydean, but everyone calls me Mary. I have been creating for my art business, Marydean Draws since 2013. I've taught art to children and adults in various classes over the last ten years along with online watercolor tutorials on my blog. I have been using watercolor and mixed media materials to create collection for prints in my shop and display at various local shows including the JMU Arboretum, The Lady Jane Shop, and The Church of the Incarnation. I usually paint florals, birds, and landscapes, with a focus on color and an interest in using watercolor, pastels, and papers in non-traditional ways.

Class Cancellations and Absence

Refunds minus a 10% or $20 processing fee (whichever is lower) are offered until 14 days before the start of class. After that, we do not offer refunds. We don’t offer refunds for missed classes, so please be sure you can attend all sessions of a class, or that you are okay with missing any that you’ll be away for. You can find out more on our studio policies page.

Overview

• Multiple dates available — choose from the drop down below!

• Adults, as well as kids age 10 and up are welcome

• Cost: $50 + $5 materials (all materials are included)

• Beginners and returners welcome!

Enjoy an afternoon of playing with clay! In this class, LP or Julie will guide you through the process of throwing clay on the pottery wheel. No experience needed! 

Each participant will have time to practice making several pieces and then they will be able to choose their favorite piece to keep from the event. Our studio staff will glaze and fire the one chosen piece so that it will be ready for pick up in several weeks.

We recommend trimming your nails beforehand. Working on the pottery wheel is a full-body experience—even down to your fingertips! If you’re not able to trim your nails in advance, no worries—accommodations can be made during class.

What students are saying about this class:

"My husband and I took a pottery class with LP and absolutely loved it. She was fun and encouraging. Even though I had no experience, she helped me feel comfortable in the class and enjoy it. Friendly City Clay has been such a fun addition to Harrisonburg!" -Nancy

About the Instructor

LP fell in love with the Friendly City when she studied art at JMU. In 2016, she earned a BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Ceramics. She is a certified art teacher in Virginia and currently teaches in Harrisonburg City Public Schools, as well as teaching adult throwing at Friendly City Clay & Art Center. She loves exploring art with her students and seeing how her students express themselves through art. She is a mother, a baker, a ceramicist, an art teacher, and the woman behind LPMpottery.

Emily Rarity is a Virginia native and ceramic artist with a BFA in Ceramic Art from Alfred University (2019). Her work is influenced by early American pottery and is drawn to its simple, functional forms, which are inherently timeless. Emily believes that the pottery wheel is a magical place. The clay responds instantly to your hands, and every small touch makes a difference in your piece. She hopes her students will experience a sense of connection and joy with the clay as they create in the studio. She is excited to be a part of your pottery wheel journey. 

Class Cancellations and Absence

Refunds minus a 10% or $20 processing fee (whichever is lower) are offered until 14 days before the start of class. After that, we do not offer refunds. We don’t offer refunds for missed classes, so please be sure you can attend all sessions of a class, or that you are okay with missing any that you’ll be away for. You can find out more on our studio policies page.

Overview

• There are multiple dates available -- select from the drop down below!

• ONE TICKET = TWO SEATS. Each ticket covers one adult and one child (age 6+), or two adults

• Cost per adult/child or adult/adult pair $30 + $10 materials (all materials are included)

• Beginners and returners welcome!

Join us for an intergenerational clay class!

Learn to make beautiful winter-themed flat ornaments or gift tags with clay. This activity is designed for pairs: parent/child, grandparent/child, aunt/uncle, adult/adult. Individuals of all ability levels are welcome. Instruction will be in English and ASL if needed (please let us know when you check out if you would like ASL interpretation services).

The first half of class will be dedicated to rolling clay, cutting out designs, and smoothing edges. The second half will be devoted to glazing and decorating. Each 2 person team will make up to 6 ornaments/tags (approx. 2"x3"). Projects will be picked up at a later date (but in time for Christmas). Bring a friend and join the fun! Sign up today!

NOTE: This is a partner activity so each child must be accompanied by an adult.

About the Instructor

Julie Beard Foster enjoys sharing her love of clay with others.  In fact, she believes time spent with clay is therapy for the soul. Julie wants to be a Glaze Fairy when she grows up since exploration of glaze combinations, surface textures and designs are a passion. She has experience with wheel throwing and handbuilding functional items at FCCAC and BRCC.

Class Cancellations and Absence

Refunds minus a 10% or $20 processing fee (whichever is lower) are offered until 14 days before the start of class. After that, we do not offer refunds. We don’t offer refunds for missed classes, so please be sure you can attend all sessions of a class, or that you are okay with missing any that you’ll be away for. You can find out more on our studio policies page.

Overview

• Sunday, 12/6, 12:30-4:30pm

• ONE TICKET = TWO SEATS. Each ticket covers one adult and one child (age 5+)

• Cost: $65 + $10 materials (all materials are included)

• Beginners and returners welcome!

Join us for a festive, hands-on workshop designed for children and adults to create together. Combining playful calligraphy, creative lettering, drawing, and card-making, this workshop encourages families to slow down, connect, and celebrate the holiday season through handmade Christmas cards.

Participants will learn simple calligraphy techniques that are accessible to all ages and skill levels. Through guided activities, families will create personalized Christmas cards, gift tags, and holiday decorations while exploring the joy of handmade.

The workshop focuses on creativity, collaboration, and fun rather than perfection, making it suitable for beginners and experienced makers alike.

No prior calligraphy or art experience required.

About the Instructor

Zenab’s brings a multi-script and multilingual perspective to her teaching of typography and graphic design at James Madison University. She holds an MA in Typeface Design from the University of Reading, UK, and a Bachelor’s in Visual Communication Design from Swinburne University, Australia. An educator, typographer, graphic designer, and a letterpress aficionado. Zenab’s interests lie in the history of printing and book typography, particularly in bilingual contexts and traditional printing techniques using metal type. She is the founder of Sign Walks, a platform that critically explores urban signage through the lenses of history, language, and the evolving nature of cityscapes. She has presented her research and insights on typography both nationally and internationally.

Class Cancellations and Absence

Refunds minus a 10% or $20 processing fee (whichever is lower) are offered until 14 days before the start of class. After that, we do not offer refunds. We don’t offer refunds for missed classes, so please be sure you can attend all sessions of a class, or that you are okay with missing any that you’ll be away for. You can find out more on our studio policies page.