Youth Summer Clay Classes • June 2025

AMOCA’s youth classes offer children and teens an opportunity to dive into new artistic skills in our ceramic studio. These classes are great for those who haven’t had the opportunity to try their hands at clay. For those looking for a true ceramic experience in a professional ceramic studio, this is the program for YOU! 

• 4-week classes meet once a week; we also offer one-day workshops, or a 3-day artist workshop, allowing students to build their toolbox of techniques. 

• Each course will have a theme and will teach students art theory, problem solving, and narrative skills. 

• Class sizes will vary with no more than 12-15 students. 

Four-Week Classes

Hand Building: Landscapes of Clay • Sundays, June 1, 8, 15, & 22 • 11 AM – 1 PM • Ages 8-12 • $150 ($100 Pomona Residents/SAE)

Landscapes of Clay: Exploring Nature + Ceramics w/Kat Chavez: How might clay help us understand the natural landscapes and living beings that surround us? In this hand building class, students will explore textures, shapes, and forms found in plants, animals, and landscapes. Techniques like coil building, cyanotype printing, collage, and slab construction will be taught. Participants will observe, sketch, collect found objects, and transform ideas into tangible artwork, deepening their connection with nature while developing their artistic abilities.

Class fee includes materials, firings, and a light snack.

Register

Teen Wheel Throwing • Saturdays, June 7, 14, 21, & 28 • 10AM – 12PM • Ages 12-16 • $150 ($100 Pomona Residents/SAE)

Teen Wheel Throwing w/Kat Chavez: During this class the teens will have the opportunity to work in a professional ceramic studio using the same ceramic equipment as the pros use. This class will be an introduction to the potter’s wheel. The class will begin with centering the clay and creating basic forms, such as bowls, cups, and vases. We will spend time learning how to trim and finish the pots we make. Students will be able to sculpt their own style into the pots and paint their work with their favorite colorful patterns.

Class fee includes materials, firings, and a light snack.

Register

Three-Day Classes

Masked Portraits • June 10, 11, & 12 • 10AM – 1PM • Ages 9-14 • $150 ($100 Pomona Residents/SAE)

In this 3-day workshop led by AMOCA artist in residence Michelle Solorzano, students will learn how to hand build a mask. To bring the mask to life, you’ll incorporate additional elements to enhance the story behind your portrait. We’ll explore ways to convey narrative through techniques like repetition, exaggeration, emphasis, and abstraction.

Class fee includes materials, firings, and a light snack. 

Register

One-Day Classes

Wheel Lab • Friday, June 6 • 4:30 – 6PM • Ages 12-16 • Free ($35 optional firing fee)

Wheel Lab w/Reniel Del Rosario: Join one of AMOCA’s teaching artists for a 1-day wheel throwing lab, where youth are able to try their hand at the wheel and learn the steps to make their own pottery. With our free wheel lab, students will receive step-by-step instruction to open the door to ceramics with the paid option to fire their work. 

Note: the optional $35 firing fee can be paid the day of class, after we’ve thrown on the wheel.

We ask all parents of children in our one-day kids and teens pottery classes to stay to supervise – we do not allow drop offs. We are sure you will enjoy watching them or participating in the fun!

Register

Skill Building • Monday, June 9 • 1-2 PM • Ages 9-13 • $30 ($15 Pomona Residents/SAE)

Skill Building Workshop: Mini Monster Making w/Lizz Redd: In this one-hour class, each student will make a ceramic project based on the instructor’s skill of focus. The class starts with the basics of clay and will work on a small to medium-sized scale. The class is one hour long, with the option to fire your piece depending on the project and of type of clay used.

We ask all parents of children in our one-day kids and teens pottery classes to stay to supervise – we do not allow drop offs. We are sure you will enjoy watching them or participating in on the fun!

Register

Skill Building • Monday, June 16 • 1-2 PM • Ages 6-8 • $30 ($15 Pomona Residents/SAE)

Skill Building Workshop: Clay Altars w/Sam Reguerra: In this one-hour class, each student will make a ceramic project based on the instructor’s skill of focus. The class starts with the basics of clay and will work on a small to medium-sized scale. The class is one hour long, with the option to fire your piece depending on the project and of type of clay used.

We ask all parents of children in our one-day kids and teens pottery classes to stay to supervise – we do not allow drop offs. We are sure you will enjoy watching them or participating in the fun!

Register

Things to Know / Policies

• Refunds are not allowed after the class begins. Refunds requested during the week prior to the start of the class will be honored at 50%. If you would like to request a refund, email education@amoca.org.

• We ask all parents of children in our kids and teens one-day pottery classes to stay to supervise – we do not allow drop offs.

• AMOCA may photograph or video visitors for educational and promotional purposes. Attendance to a workshop or event constitutes the attendee’s consent regarding the possibility of appearing in Museum or Studio marketing materials.

• AMOCA follows current Los Angeles County COVID guidelines. We encourage you to keep up to date on vaccines, wear a mask if you’d like to, and stay healthy!

Questions? Email Education Manager Chinelo Ufondu at education@amoca.org.

For more information about AMOCA’s programs for youth, including Teen Council, the annual High School Ceramics Exhibition, Family Programs, and more, visit our Education page.