SPRING CLASSES AVAILABLE
We still have spots available in our spring classes - get egistered & get involved today!
For more information rings, p e MANHAPPENINGS page or the Activities Registration page.
SPRING
WORKSHOPS
We’re springing off with another week of workshops led by our amazing instructors! Spots are filling fast for these workshops that give the perfect opportunity to hone your skills or to learn from a new instructor!
Ceramics Surface Decoration w/ Kathryn Hiller
Monday, March 31, 2025
6:30PM - 9:30PM #45226
Ceramics Clay Veneer w/ Lowell Nickel
Thursday, April 3, 2025
10:30AM - 1:30PM #45966
Beginning Hand-Built Ceramics w/ Mitsuko Ikeno
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
10:00AM - 1:00PM #45227
Ceramics Outside the Box w/ Amber Mooers
Thursday, April 3, 2025
6:30PM - 9:30PM #45222
Ceramics Glaze Application w/ Kathryn Hiller
Friday, April 4, 2025 11:00AM - 2:00PM #45225
For more information on Workshop offerings, please visit HERE!
NEW STUDIO UPDATES!
Please give a warm welcome to Michelle, who is joining our team as the Ceramics Senior Lab Tech. Michelle has extensive background and knowledge in ceramics and is joining us from the City of Torrance where she's working as a Lab Tech at their ceramics studio. Below are a few images of her beautiful pieces of artwork! We're thrilled to have Michelle join our team and help manage the studio!
Introducing Michelle: Ribbon Cutting for Valentine!
We want to extend a big thank you to everyone who was able to come out and support our team for the ribbon cutting ceremony, but also to those who showed continuous support and patience over the years of this process. Whether you were physically involved in the planning/building or you took our classes/workshops, you all made a difference and we again say THANK YOU!
LOCKER/CUBBY SIGN-UPS
At the start of every session, it’s very important for all students and Open Lab locker/cubby renters to print their names next to their assigned space on our Master Locker & Cubby assignment form. We use the Master list to tell us where the continuing artists are located so we don’t accidentally clean out any assigned space.
If your name is missing from the sheet or in the wrong location, there is a chance that, during the next cleanout time, your items can be accidentally removed even if you are staying for the new session.
If you ' re not enrolled in classes or do not plan to be for next session but would like to keep a locker space for Open Lab, please make sure to register for a Locker Rental. Locker Rentals are already live on ActiveNet. Secure your locker here!
Please make sure to record your name on the Master Locker Sheet after renting a locker!
KIDS’ CLAY INTENSIVE CAMP
Join us at the Manhattan Beach Art Center for our NEW Kids' Clay
Intensive to explore the foundational skills of working with clay while creating fun and unique projects!
Campers will learn essential techniques like coil building, pinch pots, slipping, scoring, and glazing, gaining hands-on experience in pottery basics. Let your imagination come to life as you design and craft oneof-a-kind creations, including functional items, decorative pieces, and projects inspired by your own creativity. Fee includes all materials and firing. Camp will be held outside on the Manhattan Beach Art Center Patio. All work will be fired and available for pick-up 1 week after camp concludes.
For ages: 8 through 14
June 16 - 20, 2025
June 23 - 27, 2025
July 7 - 11, 2025
August 4 - 8, 2025
August 11 - 15, 2025
9AM - 12PM #45089
9AM - 12PM #45090
9AM - 12PM #45091
9AM - 12PM #45092
9AM - 12PM #45093
KEEPING EVERYONE’S WORK SAFE
Recently, we ’ ve had an increasing number of potters whose work has been damaged while on the greenware racks. We want to remind everyone that no one is permitted to move a piece that is not their own.
To prevent instances like this one, we ask everyone to:
1) Pay it forward: Always place your own work as far back on the shelf as possible. Do not leave open shelf space behind your piece that another artist may need to get to.
2) Ask for help: If your piece is trapped in between others’ pieces, ask a Lab Tech or Instructor to help you get to it. Only Techs and Instructors are permitted to touch others’ work.
3) Take responsibility: In the case that you damage another pot, let the Instructor or Tech on that shift know. We all know how much work goes into each piece. Let’s make sure that we ’ re being mindful of everyone ’ s work to protect all of that effort and talent!
GLAZE(S) OF THE WEEK
“ If we have no winter season, then spring time would not be so pleasant!” -Anne
Bradstreet
Our first oxidation pick is by artist Carol D, whose piece features a irresistible wash of pink and purple hues that we don’t often see at the studio. She used a Mango slip (made with an approved stain that she brought in) on white clay before coating the piece in Pete’s Chun.
Next, we have these adorable “Kuri Manju (Chestnut pastry) Friends” by artist Kyung S. Painted so delightfully with a mix of underglazes under a layer of Clear, these cups are no doubt the perfect set for a
GLAZE(S) OF THE WEEK
Our final oxidation glazes of the week are what looks to be a tiny dog & cat ring dishes created by the artists with the initials “CS”.
The ring holder in the right image used the Rutile glaze, where we get these distinctive, rich colors of blues to golds and tans
Looking at the ring holder in the left image we see the striking Green Colemanite glaze showing the hints of a natural earthy tan tone!
Onto our Reduction pieces, we wanted to highlight this collection of small bowls by artist Cam K. as one pick. Going clockwise from the top, the glazes are: Hidden Valley Ranch, Temmoku over Bailey’s Red, Oribe over Glerk, and Hidden Valley Ranch Ranch over Bailey’s Red. We can always trust Cam to find success with his glaze combinations!
GLAZE(S) OF THE WEEK
Next up is this perfectly thrown plate by an unknown artist. Glazed in Bailey’s Red and then dipped partially in The OG, the glazes create a gorgeous mix of golden, rusty, and matte finishes with a hint of a blue-green speckling that almost looks like verdigris!
To top off our reduction glazes of the week we have a large speckled bow using Long Beach with Ranch white. This bowl created by Randy, reminds us of the our coastal landscape, with the speckles being reminiscent of sand or pebbles along the beach!
Finally, we have a small carved porcelain vessel with Pete’s Red created by the artist Leticia. The porcelain vessel presents the textured divots uniquely with the Pete’s natural red tones shining through in a eccentric pattern. Flowers would be perfect in this!
Open Lab
10:00 - 2:00
SPRING 2025 SCHEDULE
Open Lab
2:00 - 6:00 Open Lab 10:00 - 2:00
Ceramics Class (Chris) 6:30 - 9:30 Open Lab 9:00 - 1:00 Open Lab 1:00 - 5:00
Ceramics Class (Mitsuko) 10:00 - 1:00
Ceramics Class (Mitsuko) 1:00 - 4:00
Ceramics Class (Alan) 6:30 - 9:30
Ceramics Class (Alan) 6:30 - 9:30
Ceramics Class (Lowell) 10:00 - 1:00
Ceramics Class (Lowell) 1:15 - 4:15
Ceramics Class (Amber) 6:30 - 9:30
Ceramics Class (Kathryn) 10:00 - 1:00
Ceramics Class (Kathryn) 1:00 - 4:00
Ceramics Class (Amber) 10:00 - 1:00
Ceramics Class (Amber) 1:00 - 4:00
CLAY LIST AND CHARACTERISTICS
