We are so excited to welcome you to our great selection of classes for adults. For youth classes such as Clayworks pottery class, please see our visit link below.  
 

Youth Classes


calendar icon

Fall II Programming starts October 28!
Member registration opens Saturday, October 12 and community registration opens Saturday, October 19. Session availability varies by branch location. Explore your branch offerings today and Join the Y today for early access and discounts!


Community Arts: Visual Arts at the West Side Y

INSTRUCTIONAL CERAMICS CLASSES

Enrollment in any of the below classes that are facilitated by an instructor includes one free open studio weekly session - simply show up at your preferred open studio day/time and sign in with the studio monitor. Open Studio is also available separately with member and community rates.

It is required for students to register for the appropriate class level. 

Watercolor, Ages 18+

This class is for playing with watercolor techniques with an emphasis on finding and developing your own personal style. Frequent subject materials include still life set-ups and photos for inspiration. Beginners and Intermediate levels welcome. 

Instructor: Bonnie Steinsnyder 

Tuesday 10:00 AM-12:30 PM 
Tuesday 1:00 PM-3:30 PM 
 

Register

Beaded Jewelry, Ages 18+

This workshop is for beginners as well as those with some beading experience. Participants will learn a variety of popular beading stitches, which will then be applied to projects chosen by the instructor. You may purchase your own supplies through your preferred vendor. 

Will return in Winter 2024

 

Stained Glass

Learn to create beautiful glass objects using this ancient craft. Students learn to create patterns, cut, foil and solder stained glass into a variety of useful and sculptural forms that include sun catchers, night lights, candle holders, jewelry boxes and lamp shades. Ample individual assistance enables each person to pursue their individual projects. Essential tools and equipment provided. Supplies such as glass, foil and solder are students responsibility after first project. (we will provide recommendations on locations to purchase). 

Instructor: Virginia Chakejian 
 
Wednesday 2:00 PM-5:00 PM 
Wednesday 5:30 PM-8:30 PM 
Thursday 5:30 PM-8:30 PM


Register

Ceramic Open Studio – Wheel, Ages 18+

Open Studio is for those who are familiar with the ceramic process and feel confident working independently. Must have prior ceramics experience or must be enrolled in our instructional class. A studio monitor will be present to assist as needed. 

Students registered for an instructional class can choose one 4-hour open studio to attend each week in order to continue working on their works in progress independently.  

Any missed open studio can be made up before the session ends. 
Only one missed class can be made up with one open studio before the session ends.

Students can purchase an extra 4-hour open studio during the same session for $115.  A single extra open studio day pass is $18.
 

Monday 1:30 PM-5:30 PM  
Tuesday 1:00 PM-5:00 PM 
Thursday 12:30 PM-4:30 PM 
Thursday 4:30 PM-8:30 PM 
Friday 10:00 AM-2:00 PM 
Friday 4:30 PM-8:30 PM 
Saturday 1:00 PM-5:00 PM 
Sunday 1:00 PM-5:00 PM 

Register

Ceramic Open Studio – Hand building, Ages 18+

Open Studio is for those who are familiar with the ceramic process and feel confident working independently. Must have prior ceramics experience or must be enrolled in our instructional class. A studio monitor will be present to assist as needed. 

Students registered for an instructional class can choose one 4-hour open studio to attend each week in order to continue working on their works in progress independently. 

Any missed open studio can be made up before the session ends.

Only one missed class can be made up with one open studio before the session ends.

Students can purchase an extra 4-hour open studio during the same session for $115.  A single extra open studio day pass is $18.

Monday 1:30 PM-5:30 PM 
Tuesday 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Thursday 12:30 PM-4:30 PM
Thursday 4:30 PM-8:30 PM
Friday 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Friday 4:30 PM-8:30 PM
Saturday 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Sunday 1:00 PM-5:00 PM

Register

Ceramic Wheel: Beginner

Beginners will learn the basic skills of throwing on the potter's wheel and glazing techniques. Instructors will assist students with creating individual projects and developing skills. Demos and critiques will be given regularly.

Instructor: Kathleen Ginsberg
Sunday 10:00 AM-12:30 PM

Instructor: David Gibson
Wednesday 10:00 AM-12:30 PM

Register

 

Ceramic Wheel: Beginners Plus

Beginner/Intermediate level students will learn the basic skills of throwing on the potter's wheel and glazing techniques. Instructors will assist students with creating individual projects and developing skills. Demos and critiques will be given regularly.

Instructor: Julann Gebbie
Monday 6:00 PM-8:30 PM

Instructor: Nanette Ronner 
Saturday 10:00 - 12:30 PM

Register

Ceramic Wheel: Intermediate

Intermediate and advanced students will work on individual projects to further develop their skills and unique personal expressions. Demos and critiques will be given regularly. Students must have previous throwing experience. To be admitted to this level you must be able to wedge, center and be able to throw a cylinder. 

Instructor: Nanette Ronner
Tuesday 6:00 PM-8:30 PM

Register

Ceramic Wheel: Intermediate/Advanced

Intermediate and advanced students will work on individual projects to further develop their skills and unique personal expressions. Demos and critiques will be given regularly. Students must have previous throwing experience. To be admitted to this level you must be able to wedge, center and be able to throw a cylinder. 

Instructor: Julie Knight
Tuesday 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
Wednesday 6:00 PM-8:30 PM

Register

Hand building: Beginners Plus

During this class students will learn the basics of hand building. Coiling, pinch pots and slab techniques are taught. Students with some experience will be given more challenging projects with these techniques.

Instructor: Abigail Regner
Monday 6:00 PM-8:30 PM

Instructor: Ellen Gelber
Wednesday 10:30 AM-1:00 PM

Register

Hand building: Intermediate

Develop further skills and techniques in hand building through an exploration of advanced projects and surface techniques.

Instructor: Andrew Robinson
Wednesday  6:00 PM-8:30 PM

Instructor: Kate Missett
Friday  2:00 PM-4:30 PM

Register

Hand building: Advanced

Advanced hand building:  Explore your individual artistic direction in a supportive environment. Class includes slide talks & demos of contemporary clay work.

Instructor: Kate Missett
Monday  11:00 AM-1:30 PM

Register

Writer's Voice

Telling Great Stories

Everyone has a story to tell. This class will focus on elements of "creative" prose writing - plot, character, setting, voice and beginnings and endings - through weekly prompts and detailed critiques. Both fiction and nonfiction will be considered. Exercises and works in progress will be reviewed in class in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. Each writer will receive one-to-one attention. The workshop is open to everyone. No manuscript submission required. Maximum of 10 students.

Instructor: Thaddeus Rutkowski
Monday 6:30 PM-8:30 PM 

Register

Writing for Stage and Screen

Do you have an idea for a stage-play, television pilot or screenplay? Or perhaps you’ve written a full or partial draft and now you want some constructive feedback to inspire you toward completion? Or maybe you don't have any ideas at all and just want to get inspired and have fun learning something about writing for the stage and screen? In this workshop, writing prompts and in-class writing exercises tailored to individual needs will address Dramatic Writing craft fundamentals, including: story, conflict, character, dialogue, visual action, and revision.  Students bring in new pages of their script-in-progress to class and hear their material read out loud.  In-class writing exercises tailored to individual needs help students develop skills and write scripts. All levels welcome.

Instructor: Charles L Schulman
Tuesdays: 1:00 PM-3:00 PM; 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Register