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Spend four Tuesday afternoons in August learning handbuilding pottery with Karen Mendes at 5501 Jefferson Ave in Midland. Small groups, inclusive access, clay provided—leave with technique and finished work.
Spend four Tuesday afternoons in August learning handbuilding pottery with Karen Mendes at 5501 Jefferson Ave in Midland. Small groups, inclusive access, clay provided—leave with technique and finished work.
Book with Creative 360
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Operated by Creative 360 · Midland, Michigan
Artshop Clay Handbuilding: Spring/Summer 2026 Session 2 at 5501 Jefferson Ave in Midland, Michigan offers a focused, four-week pottery class led by Karen Mendes. Over four Tuesday afternoons in August, this intimate session teaches beginner-friendly handbuilding techniques for making functional and decorative ceramics. The room is practical rather than precious, a working studio where clay, tools, and drying shelves take center stage. For visitors in Midland looking for a hands-on diversion from riverside trails and local gardens, this class is an accessible creative pitstop that teaches a skill you can carry home.
The session runs 1:00 - 2:30 PM on August 4, 11, 18, and 25, with clay and materials provided. Enrollment limits enrollment to eight students, which means plenty of one-on-one attention from the instructor. Beginners will learn handbuilding staples such as pinching, coiling, and slab construction, plus tips for trimming, finishing, and surface texture. Work is typically dried, glazed, and fired after class, so plan for a short post-class pickup or shipping arrangement if you can’t return to collect pieces.
The program highlights inclusion: it welcomes people of all ages and abilities, and students using Community Living Support funds should preregister and commit to regular attendance because missed classes may be billed. If Midland Public Schools cancel for weather, Artshop classes are canceled the same day, so keep an eye on local notices. The meeting address is 5501 Jefferson Ave, a straightforward block location inside town, easy to find by car with basic street parking.
Why this class stands out locally is the combination of small group scale, inclusive access, and a short time commitment that still produces finished work. Midland itself offers nearby options for a full day: riverside walks along the Tittabawassee, visits to Dow Gardens, or a quiet stop at the Chippewa Nature Center after class. For makers, the appeal is immediate: you leave with technique, a few freshly formed pieces, and a clearer sense of how to work clay again.
Practical notes: arrive in clothes you don’t mind getting clay on, expect to stand and sit intermittently, and allow time after class to label and store greenware. The vibe is encouraging and unedited; people come to learn, make, and sometimes repeat sessions to deepen a new hobby. If you want a short, practical, creative escape in Midland, Artshop’s handbuilding session is a clear choice. As a community resource, the class connects creative practice to local culture, offering accessible arts education in a town known for garden spaces and rivers. The modest studio hums with practical learning, and making here feels like joining a steady, low-key local tradition that rewards curiosity and hands-on attention. Bring an open mind, steady hands, and plan to return soon
easy.
1.5 hours per class.
Suitable for most fitness levels; involves standing, sitting, and light lifting of clay.
The class welcomes people of all ages and abilities; it’s structured for beginners but useful to anyone wanting focused handbuilding practice.
Yes—clay and other required materials are provided as part of the session fee.
If Midland Public Schools are closed for the day due to weather, Artshop classes are canceled that day as well.
Yes; students with Medicaid may be able to use CLS funds but must preregister and attend regularly, or they may be billed for missed sessions.
Work is typically dried, glazed, and fired after class; you’ll be notified for pickup or advised on shipping options if you can’t return.
The program emphasizes inclusion for varying abilities, but specific accessibility features are not listed—contact organizers to confirm individual needs.
Midland developed alongside industry in the late 19th and 20th centuries and is home to notable garden and riverfront public spaces.
The studio encourages low-waste practices like recycling clay scraps and mindful material use; avoid excess glaze waste to reduce kiln emissions.
Creative 360 is a community-centered arts organization based in Midland, Michigan, offering a broad calendar of performances, classes, workshops, and volunteer opportunities. Dedicated to accessible arts education, Creative 360 runs inclusive semesters such as Artshop Clay and Artshop Painting Explorations that welcome participants of all ages and abilities, including those with disabilities. Small class sizes—typically limited to eight students for specialized hands-on art sessions—ensure personalized attention and skill development. Creative 360 presents recurring public performances including the free Sound Community Music Series held every second Wednesday, featuring classical and jazz artists like Trio Rubaton and electro-acoustic sets. The venue hosts visiting artists and special concerts such as the June performance by Michigan native Sarah Bomber. Seasonal programming includes a Summer Theatre Intensive for ages 11–17 where students audition, rehearse, and perform under a professional director, and short-term workshops like Sewing for Everyone focused on upcycling and practical skills. Community engagement is central to Creative 360’s mission: the organization operates volunteer programs that allow community members to support events and enjoy performances, and coordinates special events such as the inaugural Holiday Art Fair during Midland’s Holiday Arts Weekend. Additional offerings like Tai Chi 360 provide wellness-focused movement classes suitable for all levels. Creative 360 partners with local artists and instructors to maintain a varied, community-rooted schedule of arts experiences in Midland.
Book with Creative 360