Clay Art Center Inc

CLAY ART CENTER IS DEDICATED TO EDUCATION, CREATIVITY, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE SPACE FOR STUDIO PRACTICE, EXHIBITIONS, PERSONAL GROWTH, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

ADULTS & YOUTH CLASSES: CLAY ART CENTER (THE CENTER) PRESENTS CLASSES RANGING IN EXPERIENCE LEVEL FROM BEGINNER TO ADVANCED IN WHEEL THROWING, POTTERY, SCULPTURE, & HAND BUILDING. THE CLASSES ARE AVAILABLE TO ADULTS AND CHILDREN AND SERVE THE WESTCHESTER & CONNECTICUT COMMUNITIES. THE CENTER OFFERS AFTER-SCHOOL AND WEEKEND CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AS WELL AS MORNING, AFTERNOON, AND FULL DAY CLASSES IN THE SUMMER. THE CENTER ALSO OFFERS OPEN STUDIO HOURS TO STUDENTS WHO ARE ENROLLED IN WEEKLY CLASSES. THE OPEN STUDIO HOURS GIVE STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON THEIR PROJECTS OUTSIDE OF CLASS TIME AND TO DEVELOP THEIR ARTISTIC SKILLS. WORKSHOPS: TO FURTHER ENHANCE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, THE CENTER PRESENTS MONTHLY WORKSHOPS BY NATIONALLY KNOWN ARTISTS. VARYING IN LENGTH FROM ONE TO FIVE DAYS, THEY ARE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN AND BE INSPIRED BY TEACHERS AND WORKING ARTISTS. COMMUNITY ARTS: OUR COMMUNITY ARTS PROGRAM IS FOCUSED ON PROVIDING AT-RISK YOUTH AND PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ENRICHING CERAMIC ARTS CLASSES ON AND OFF SITE THROUGH FUNDED PARTNERSHIPS WIH SCHOOLS AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. THROUGH OUR FUNDRAISING EFFORTS, WE DESIRE TO PROVIDE FURTHER ACCESS TO THE UNDESERVED, SO THAT THEY TOO ARE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE CERAMIC ARTS.

STUDIO ART PROGRAM: THE CENTER OFFERS ACCESS TO PRIVATE AND SHARED STUDIO SPACE FOR ARTISTS TO CONTINUE WORKING IN A COMMUNITY SETTING. ASSOCIATE ARTISTS HAVE ACCESS TO GLAZING AND FIRING FACILITIES. THE ARTIST, ONCE JURIED IN BY A PEER ARTIST COMMITTEE, PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES AND BEING A PART OF A VIBRANT COMMUNITY. THE CENTER'S STUDIOS ARE A PLACE WHERE CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT FLOURISH. ALL ARTISTS MUST DEMONSTRATE THEIR COMMITMENT TO ASSIST WITH THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OTHER STUDIO CHORES. THE STUDIOS ARE WELL EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC WHEELS, EXTRUDERS, SLAB ROLLERS, PUG MILLS, ELECTRICK, AND GAS KILNS AND A COMMON, WELL STOCKED GLAZE AREA. EACH ARTIST HAS UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE CENTER'S FACILITIES. RESIDENCY PROGRAM: THE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCY PROGRAM BEGINS EACH SEPTEMBER AND IS AWARDED ANNUALLY TO THREE BACHELOR AND MASTERS OF FINE ARTS (BFA/MFA) GRADUATES. IT IS DESIGNED FOR EMERGING ARTISTS WHO NEED TIME AND SPACE TO DEVELOP THEIR VOICE. THEY GAIN INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE TEACHING CLASSES AND CONTRIBUTE THEIR TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE BY MANAGING MANY JOBS AT THE STUDIO. RESIDENTS RECEIVE PRIVATE STUDIO SPACE, FULL ACCESS TO THE STUDIO'S FACILITIES AND A SHOW IN THE GALLERY AT THE END OF THE RESIDENCY.

EXHIBITIONS: THE FOCUS OF THE GALLERY IS DEDICATED TO EXHIBITING CERAMICS; TO SHOWCASE THE WORK OF EMERGING AND UNDER RECOGNIZED, MID CAREER AND MATURE ARTISTS. ANNUALLY, THERE ARE JURIED SOLO AND GROUP INVITATIONAL EXHIBITIONS FEATURING EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED ARTISTS. THE SHOP AT THE CENTER HIGHLIGHTS HANDMADE POTTERY AND OBJECTS FOR THE HOME BY THE CENTER'S ARTISTS AND INVITED GUESTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE ANNUAL CLAY ARTS CENTER ARTIST HOLIDAY SHOW HAS BECOME KNOWN AS THE SHOWCASE FOR HANDMADE CERAMICS IN THE COUNTY, WHILE RISING STARTS ANNUAL STUDENT EXHIBITION FEATURES TALENT FROM THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.