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Spend seven compact weeks shaping clay with expert guidance from Karen Mendes at 5501 Jefferson Ave in Midland. Small classes, included materials, and an inclusive learning environment make this an accessible way to pick up practical handbuilding skills.
Spend seven compact weeks shaping clay with expert guidance from Karen Mendes at 5501 Jefferson Ave in Midland. Small classes, included materials, and an inclusive learning environment make this an accessible way to pick up practical handbuilding skills.
Book with Creative 360
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Creative 360 · Midland, Michigan
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.
easy.
1.5 hours per session (7-week series).
Minimal physical exertion; comfortable for most ability levels. Good fine-motor coordination helps but is not required.
No—this class is designed for beginners and those with some experience; instruction covers basic handbuilding techniques.
Yes—clay and basic materials are provided as part of the $140 session fee.
Enrollment is limited to eight students to ensure individualized instruction.
Students with Medicaid may be able to use part of their Community Living Support budget; participants who use CLS are expected to attend regularly.
If Midland Public Schools are closed for the day due to weather, Artshop classes are canceled as well.
Kiln firing and pickup schedules vary by studio; specific pickup instructions will be provided by the instructor during the session.
Midland is part of Michigan’s Great Lakes region and supports an active local arts community; Artshop classes complement that civic arts network.
The studio encourages low-waste practices commonly used in ceramics, such as reclaiming clay scraps and minimizing glaze waste to reduce environmental impact.
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