West Side YMCA
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.
Spring II Programming starts April 28!
Member registration opens Saturday, April 5 and community registration opens Saturday, April 12. 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
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 people who are advanced and interested in doing independent work.
Open studio is limited to students that have taken at least two years of classes in our program.
Registration is in person only.
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
Ceramic Open Studio – Hand building, Ages 18+
Open studio is for people who are advanced and interested in doing independent work.
Open studio is limited to students that have taken at least two years of classes in our program.
Registration is in person only.
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
Hand building: Intermediate
Develop further skills and techniques in hand building through an exploration of advanced projects and surface techniques.Develop further skills and techniques in hand building through an exploration of advanced projects and surface techDevelop further skills and techniques in hand building through an exploration of advanced projects and surface techniques.
Instructor: Andrew Robinson
Friday 2:00 PM-4:30 PM
Independent Study
Classes begin January 19, 2025
Independent Study
Advanced hand building: Explore your individual artistic direction in a supportive environment. For advanced students only.
Saturday 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
Monday. 11:00AM to 1:30PM
Surface Workshop for Wheel Students
This 4 -week class will cover several decorative techniques, other than studio glazes, this includes using slips and underglazes, paper, wax and latex resists, slip trailing, transfers and taping.
Instructor: Ellen Gelber
Beginning March 8
Raku Workshop
Registration is required this term so students will be able to prepare work for the Raku workshop at the beginning of the Spring 2 session.
Beginning May 10
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
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