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Art Class Schedule

The Somerset Art Association offers a rich selection of courses each year. Our courses are available to the public and cover a diverse range of disciplines from traditional drawing to furniture painting and holiday decorations. No matter where your interests lie, you can find a classroom of people who share them at the Somerset Art Association.

The following links will take you to the pages of our class catalog.

Fall 2010 Class Catalog
Fall 2010 Adult Classes and registration form

Note: These documents are in pdf format. You need Adobe Reader to read them. If you don't already have it installed on your computer, click on the icon to the right to download it for free.

New Ceramic Studio Opens

The SAA has added to its diverse array of class offerings by opening a Ceramic Studio. "We're very excited to offer ceramics as part of our curriculum," says Executive Director, Robyn Tromeur. "With few opportunities within Somerset County for ceramic artists to learn, hone their skills, gather and support one another, SAA's ceramic program will fill this void."

The instructor, Bernardsville clay artist Frank Bowman Krimmel, plans to introduce the class to the many facets of working with clay – a medium whose versatility he believes "to be truly unsurpassed." From learning how to throw on a wheel to formulating glazes to firing kilns, Krimmel wants to give those who take the class a better understanding of the many processes involved.

"Obviously there is so much more to working with clay than learning how to shape a form on the wheel. Once you begin to understand the possibilities, you will quickly realize there are no limitations as to what you can do," Krimmel says.

Ceramic instructor Frank Bowman Krimmel

Though he started out as a painter in 1975 while studying at Columbus College of Art and Design, Krimmel soon switched his primary focus to clay when he was introduced to the medium by noted ceramist Ban Kajitani. He is quick to point out that not all of the traditional Japanese methods he learned will be passed onto the SAA studio classes: "No one will be sleeping next to the kiln in order to learn all its sights and sounds," he half jokes. But he will encourage those in the class to become actively involved in every aspect of a ceramic studio regardless of their skill level. "The more involved someone is, the more possibilities they are exposed to. New possibilities are great motivators. They hone current abilities in order to reach the level of expertise necessary to move on to the next technique of interest."

Both beginning and intermediate classes are being offered. "We’re scheduling day and evening classes in order to give everyone who wants to learn ceramics the opportunity to do so," says SAA's Tromeur. "While the classes will be held here at SAA, Frank has told me he plans to have a few ‘field trips’ to his studio which includes a state of the art, 40 cubic foot 'car kiln' that students will learn to fire."

Class descriptions below:

INTRODUCTION TO CERAMICS
Beginning ceramics is truly a class for those who want to work with clay for the first time. Students will learn the basic processes of wedging clay, wheel throwing and trimming. They will also be introduced to the process of glaze calculation, basic glaze application and the firing process. Along with learning the basic principles of throwing on the wheel, students will be introduced to the many facets of a ceramic studio and be encouraged to help in the loading and firing of a 40 cubic foot gas kiln. Fee includes 25 lbs of clay, and all glazing and firing materials, Students will have to purchase necessary tools. Beginner.

CERAMICS II
The focus of this class will be on forms, refining throwing techniques, emphasizing shape versus function, glaze calculation/application and firing. Students taking this class should have some practical experience with the basic principles of throwing and shaping on the wheel. Participants will get a better understanding of glazes in atmospheric firings and will be encouraged to help with the entire firing process. Intermediate.

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