Do I need prior experience?

No—this class is designed for beginners and those with some experience; instruction covers basic handbuilding techniques.

Are materials included?

Yes—clay and basic materials are provided as part of the $140 session fee.

What is the class size?

Enrollment is limited to eight students to ensure individualized instruction.

Can I use Medicaid CLS funds?

Students with Medicaid may be able to use part of their Community Living Support budget; participants who use CLS are expected to attend regularly.

What happens if schools close for weather?

If Midland Public Schools are closed for the day due to weather, Artshop classes are canceled as well.

When and where do I pick up fired pieces?

Kiln firing and pickup schedules vary by studio; specific pickup instructions will be provided by the instructor during the session.

Hands-On Pottery in Midland: Artshop Clay Handbuilding Winter 2026 | Workshop | Events

On a brisk Tuesday afternoon at 5501 Jefferson Ave in Midland, Michigan, a narrow row of tables and a low-slung kiln becomes a low-pressure laboratory for making pottery. Artshop Clay Handbuilding: Winter 2026 Session 2 is a seven-week, instructor-led course that runs Tuesdays from Mar 10 to Apr 21, meeting 1:00–2:30 PM. For $140 per session attendees receive clay and materials, hands-on instruction from Karen Mendes, and the chance to fabricate both functional wares and decorative objects in a small class (limit 8 students).

The room favors touch over theory: coarse stoneware and smooth earthenware, wire tools and ribs, damp boxes and a bench set up for pinching, coiling and slab-building. You’ll leave having learned practical handbuilding techniques—coil joins, scoring and slipping, compressing rims—and how to prep work for glazing and firing. Because the class is intentionally inclusive, instructors adapt approaches for a range of abilities; students who use Medicaid’s Community Living Support may apply part of those funds to attend, and regular attendance is encouraged for CLS participants.

Practical details matter: the studio cancels classes when Midland Public Schools close for weather, so check local notices before heading out. Dress in clothes you don’t mind getting clay on; the venue supplies clay and basic materials, so show up ready to shape. The small enrollment means individualized feedback from Mendes, and it’s a good setting whether you’ve never touched clay or want to refine handbuilding methods that don’t rely on a wheel.

This is also a community hub. The session provides an accessible way to tap into Midland’s creative scene without a steep time commitment—seven compact lessons that add up to solid skill-building. The studio’s bench-to-kiln flow demystifies small-batch ceramics: you’ll move from soft lump to bisque-ready form during the series, tracking progress with a sense of craft and purpose.

Why book it? For travelers or new residents, it’s a practical cultural stop that connects you with a working art studio at a street address you can find on a map. For locals, the limited class size and inclusive approach make it a reliable place to expand creative habits. Whether you’re aiming to make utility mugs, a lived-on bowl, or an object that records an afternoon’s experiment, Artshop Clay Handbuilding at 5501 Jefferson Ave offers direct, instructor-led time at the wheel of handbuilding practice.