We will start with the basics of watercolor painting, including how to mix colors, how to create different brushstrokes, and how to achieve different effects with water. Then, we will move on to painting flowers, starting with simple shapes and gradually building up to more complex compositions.

Three dates - take one or all!

Note: Scholarships available for students with financial need. Please email cherish@redwingarts.org

Teaching artist: Cherish Haskell

Level: Beginner

Class size: 12

Participation fee: $40 non-member, Members receive $10 off with code SPRING10 at checkout

We invite you to join us on May 2 from 5:30-8PM, when Tasha and Bitsy will host the final workshop of this project. In preparation for the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women on May 5, our final workshop will highlight the relationship between the historical erasure of Dakota women’s clay craft and the contemporary issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. 

Red Wing Arts Clay and Creative Center is offering a unique date night option called Clay Night Out. This 2-hour class is held from 6 pm to 8 pm and allows couples to spend quality time together while learning the art of pottery. Participants have the option to work on the wheel or do a handbuilding project. The instructors are experienced and will guide you through every step of the process. The finished pieces are ready for pick-up within 2 weeks, giving you a lasting keepsake of your special night. Clay Night Out is a fun and creative way to connect with your partner while exploring your artistic side.

$60 per person

Do it with a friend group. Max group is 5 people.

Age group: 16+

Select one of the following dates at check-out.

EARTH WEEK SERIES! Recycle - Reuse - Repurpose

We will tear strips and start an oval woven rug using a unique no sew, four strand weaving technique. By the end of the class you will be able to go home and finish your rug! Please bring two different colored used sheets and a sharp scissors to class. Any size is fine, avoid white or very light colors as they will show more dirt in a finished rug.

Instructor Bio:

Kirsten taught this class at a nonprofit fiber arts upcycle store in Washington State. She is new to Minnesota and loving all the state as to offer. Kirsten loves bicycling and gardening and is working on learning new native plants here and growing a pollinator bed for the many Minnesota bees and butterflies.

Date: April 25th, 6 - 8 PM

Teaching Artist: Kirsten Wert

Age: 12+

Level: Beginner

What to bring: Sharp scissors and 2+ bed sheets to recycle into your rug.

Participation Fee: $10

All are welcome! Please join us at monthly social hour/networking events for artists, artisans, writers, and makers of all kinds!

- Opportunity to connect with other creatives/makers in a relaxed environment
- Learn about upcoming opportunities
- Gain inspiration
- Discuss/show new work
- Help plan future events
- Make a new friend!

Snacks and NA beverages provided.

RSVP preferrred but drop-ins welcome!

Embrace the unique opportunity to deepen your connection with nature and community through an enriching two-hour plant walk and crafting session. This immersive experience, set against the breathtaking backdrop of He Mni Can, is designed to foster meaningful connections with the land and fellow participants. Under the guidance of skilled teaching artists, Bitsy Joy and Nicky Buck, you will explore the natural beauty of the area, capturing the essence of plants and naturescapes through the creation of clay impressions. These impressions will be transformed into exquisite small pendants and other jewelry pieces, allowing you to carry a piece of the natural world with you.

The session is open to participants of all ages, making it a perfect family-friendly activity or a way to meet like-minded individuals who share an appreciation for art and nature.

Sunday April 21: 10am-12pm

Teaching artist: Bitsy Joy and Nicky Buck

Level: All Ages

Class size: 20

Participation fee: $45

Materials fee: $5

About the Instructors: Nicky Buck is Bdewakantuwan Dakota from Tinta Wita/ Prairie Island. She is a traditional plant knowledge keeper and land defender. Bitsy Joy (she/they/joy) is a clay artist and embodiment facilitator.

Red Wing Arts Queer clay club is a space for all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations. Come create and express through clay. This club meets the third Thursday of every month at the Clay and Creative Center. We will hold a space of belonging and expression for queer identifying people to play with clay.

There will be group projects and independent projects. Our first group project will be making inclusive bathroom signs for public spaces. No clay experience is required.

Classes are offered a la carte; sign up for each date you want to attend.

Instructor/Facilitator: Bitsy Joy

Tuition: Pay What You Can ($30 Per Class Suggested Tuition)

Age/Level: All Ages (Under 12 must be accompanied by an adult) , All Levels

Location: Red Wing Arts Clay & Creative Center

Two hours of instruction on the pottery wheel! Learn the steps of centering the clay and pulling walls to create your own clay bowl or cup! Paint your creation with colorful underglazes or the instructor can glaze your work for you before firing. Work will be fired into our kiln and ready for pick up in 2-3 weeks. Each participant can fire up to two items. Please enter Red Wing High School through door #40.

This class is offered in partnership with Red Wing Community Education and will take place at Red Wing High School

Red Wing Arts Clay and Creative Center is offering a unique date night option called Clay Night Out. This 2-hour class is held from 6 pm to 8 pm and allows couples to spend quality time together while learning the art of pottery. Participants have the option to work on the wheel or do a handbuilding project. The instructors are experienced and will guide you through every step of the process. The finished pieces are ready for pick-up within 2 weeks, giving you a lasting keepsake of your special night. Clay Night Out is a fun and creative way to connect with your partner while exploring your artistic side.

$60 per person

Do it with a friend group. Max group is 5 people.

Age group: 16+

Select one of the following dates at check-out.

Ashley Hise will demonstrate strategies for throwing and trimming small vase/bottle shapes on the wheel, then go over some unique surface design techniques for adding texture and dimension. Students will be provided a leather hard bud vase to experiment with and the center will fire the pieces for pick up at a later date. All levels of experience are welcome!

April 7th 1pm-4pm

Teaching artist: Ashley Hise

Level: Beginner and above

Class size: 12

Participation fee: $35

Supply Fee: $15

Explore local clay history before European settlement with Bitsy Joy, Red Wing Arts resident clay artist, the first Thursday evening of each month.

Learn through direction, conversation and experimentation with local wild clay.

In their work as the first Clay Artist in Residence at the Red Wing Arts Clay and Creative Center, Bitsy is exploring the concept of Land Back in the context of local clay. In addition to the diaspora of Dakota people, there has also been a diaspora of Dakota land in the form of Red Wing pottery and industrial sewer pipe. The omission of Dakota clay traditions from local pottery narratives is a cultural injury that deserves remediation. Inspired by the recognition and ongoing rematriation of He Mni Can, Bitsy is committing their residency to bringing greater awareness to He Mni Can pottery practices through work in community.

Our move has a bit behind on reclaiming clay, which we use for much of our community programming.

So…. we decided to have a clay wedging party. We’re looking for 2-6 folks who want to make light of our reclaim work, spend some time in good company and partake in some pizza as a thank you for your help.

Please RSVP.

Clay night out classes are a great way to meet new people and socialize with like-minded individuals. They are perfect for individuals who are looking for a creative outlet, a unique date night idea, or simply a fun way to spend some time with friends! The instructors are experienced and will guide you through every step of the pottery wheel process. The finished pieces are ready for pick-up within 2 weeks, giving you a lasting keepsake of your special night.

$60 per person

Do it with a friend group. Max group is 6 people.

Age group: 12+

Select one of the following dates at check-out.

All are welcome! Please join us at monthly social hour/networking events for artists, artisans, writers, and makers of all kinds!

- Opportunity to connect with other creatives/makers in a relaxed environment
- Learn about upcoming opportunities
- Gain inspiration
- Discuss/show new wor
- Help plan future events
- Make a new friend!

Snacks and NA beverages provided.

RSVP preferrred but drop-ins welcome!

Red Wing Arts Queer clay club is a space for all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations. Come create and express through clay. This club meets the third Thursday of every month at the Clay and Creative Center. We will hold a space of belonging and expression for queer identifying people to play with clay.

There will be group projects and independent projects. Our first group project will be making inclusive bathroom signs for public spaces. No clay experience is required.

Classes are offered a la carte; sign up for each date you want to attend.

Instructor/Facilitator: Bitsy Joy

Tuition: Pay What You Can ($30 Per Class Suggested Tuition)

Age/Level: All Ages (Under 12 must be accompanied by an adult) , All Levels

Location: Red Wing Arts Clay & Creative Center

Join us in our new downtown location. MORE INFORMATION TO BE ADDED VERY SOON!

• Tours

• Art Making

• Artists Resources

• Workshop Sign-ups

• Clay Wheel Demonstrations and Hand Building

Two hours of instructor-supported Wheel or Hand-building Clay Work! Take a turn on the pottery wheel after a short demo by the instructor OR choose to work on a hand building project. We will have example projects or come with your own idea!

Paint your creation with colorful underglazes or the instructor can glaze your work for you. Work is fired in our kiln and ready for pick up in 2-3 weeks.

Level: No experience needed. Age 5+ for Wheel, Age 2+ for Hand building Projects

Class Size: Limit 5 participants per 2HR session for Wheel, Up to 8 for Hand building Projects

Participation fee: $60 per person / $50 Member (price includes firing of 2 Pieces) with discount code FALL10 at checkout

Make amazing one-of-a-kind prints using acrylic paint and a Gelli Plate! We will make prints using plants and leaves, adding texture and patterns with stamps and stencils. By the end of the workshop, you will have a collection of prints that are truly one-of-a-kind.

This class is offered in partnership with Red Wing Community Education

Explore local clay history before European settlement with Bitsy Joy, Red Wing Arts resident clay artist, the first Thursday evening of each month.

Learn through direction, conversation and experimentation with local wild clay.

In their work as the first Clay Artist in Residence at the Red Wing Arts Clay and Creative Center, Bitsy is exploring the concept of Land Back in the context of local clay. In addition to the diaspora of Dakota people, there has also been a diaspora of Dakota land in the form of Red Wing pottery and industrial sewer pipe. The omission of Dakota clay traditions from local pottery narratives is a cultural injury that deserves remediation. Inspired by the recognition and ongoing rematriation of He Mni Can, Bitsy is committing their residency to bringing greater awareness to He Mni Can pottery practices through work in community.

This class is designed for students with little to no clay experience or who may have taken a class quite some time ago and would like a refresher. Class fee includes clay, all glazing materials, firings and open studio time. In this series students will learn all of the stages of making a pot, through instructor demonstration and hands-on practice! These include:

• Design options

• Throwing on the wheel

• Trimming (removing excess clay and refining)

• Adding handles, details, embellishments

• Glazing

Note: Scholarships available for students with financial need. Please email cherish@redwingarts.org

Wednesdays 5:30-8:30pm
March 6-April 10
Teaching artist: Cherish Haskell
Level: 14+
Class size: 5
Participation fee: $200 Non-members, Members use MEMBERCLAY25 at checkout to receive $25 discount.
Supply Fee: $25

Get your hands on clay and make your very own gnome figures! You’ll start with the basic gnome shape and then add your own wacky twists to give your gnomes their own distinctive personalities. Want a gnome with a Stetson hat and a bushy beard? You got it! We will decorate our gnomes with colorful glazes and the instructor will fire in the kiln. Finished creations ready for pick up in approximately 3 weeks!

This class is offered in partnership with Red Wing Community Education

Red Wing Arts Clay and Creative Center is offering a unique date night option called Clay Night Out. This 2-hour class is held from 6 pm to 8 pm and allows couples to spend quality time together while learning the art of pottery. Participants have the option to work on the wheel or do a handbuilding project. The instructors are experienced and will guide you through every step of the process. The finished pieces are ready for pick-up within 2 weeks, giving you a lasting keepsake of your special night. Clay Night Out is a fun and creative way to connect with your partner while exploring your artistic side.

$60 per person

Do it with a friend group. Max group is 5 people.

Age group: 16+

Select one of the following dates at check-out.

Red Wing Arts Queer clay club is a space for all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations. Come create and express through clay. This club meets the third Thursday of every month at the Clay and Creative Center. We will hold a space of belonging and expression for queer identifying people to play with clay.

There will be group projects and independent projects. Our first group project will be making inclusive bathroom signs for public spaces. No clay experience is required.

Classes are offered a la carte; sign up for each date you want to attend.

Instructor/Facilitator: Bitsy Joy

Tuition: Pay What You Can ($30 Per Class Suggested Tuition)

Age/Level: All Ages (Under 12 must be accompanied by an adult) , All Levels

Location: Red Wing Arts Clay & Creative Center

In this workshop, Dan will teach you techniques that help solve the mysteries of watercolor. You will learn how to work with the watercolor medium, including wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry and luminous washes through a series of smaller studies and Dan’s approach of “see it, simplify it, and state it”.

The class is fun and fast-paced. Participants will watch demonstrations and then apply the concepts to their own work through hands-on painting. Dan also uses friendly back and forth critiques for constructive feedback.

This class is watercolor only and does not include Dan’s technique of combining acrylic with watercolor.

Teaching artist: Dan Wiemer

Level: Beginning to Intermediate

Class size: 20

Participation fee: $235

Supply list:

 Many people already have supplies that are fine. Bring those; you can impress your neighbors and your teacher.

 WATERCOLOR PAINTS: I use a fairly traditional collection of colors. If you have others you enjoy working with that’s fine, bring them. Mine include cerulean blue, cobalt blue, ultramarine blue, raw sienna, burnt sienna, Cadmium or winsor red, alizarin crimson (or permanent rose), Sap green, viridian and Paynes gray or neutral tint that I often use for value studies. You may have some wonderful new colors to show me! It is easier for watercolor artists to have the paints already squeezed into and dried in a plastic palette with a lid. I recommend you do this process several days prior to the workshop.

 BRUSHES: Bring several different size brushes. I prefer round brushes but you can also bring flat brushes.

 PAPER: Sheets or blocks are fine, just make sure it is 100% rag (cotton). No student-grade paper for your sake and mine. Student grade paper leads to more frustration and pain than the money you save. There are many fine rag papers. I recommend 140# Arches cold pressed or hot pressed because this can handle the repetitive masking process of the technique you will learn. Softer papers are not sufficient for this process. All of our studies will be 11x15 quarter sheets or smaller. If you have trouble finding 140# Arches paper, Dan will have some available for purchase.

 OTHER: Pencil, sketchpad or copy paper, soft eraser (Magicrub) or something like a white eraser, container for clean water, roll of paper towels, board or piece of Masonite to tape down loose paper, masking tape.

If you already have a watercolor palette, don’t spend a whole lot of money or change your palette for this workshop,

Red Wing Arts Clay and Creative Center is offering a unique date night option called Clay Night Out. This 2-hour class is held from 6 pm to 8 pm and allows couples to spend quality time together while learning the art of pottery. Participants have the option to work on the wheel or do a handbuilding project. The instructors are experienced and will guide you through every step of the process. The finished pieces are ready for pick-up within 2 weeks, giving you a lasting keepsake of your special night. Clay Night Out is a fun and creative way to connect with your partner while exploring your artistic side.

$60 per person

Do it with a friend group. Max group is 5 people.

Age group: 16+

Select one of the following dates at check-out.

Explore local clay history before European settlement with Bitsy Joy, Red Wing Arts resident clay artist, the first Thursday evening of each month.

Learn through direction, conversation and experimentation with local wild clay.

In their work as the first Clay Artist in Residence at the Red Wing Arts Clay and Creative Center, Bitsy is exploring the concept of Land Back in the context of local clay. In addition to the diaspora of Dakota people, there has also been a diaspora of Dakota land in the form of Red Wing pottery and industrial sewer pipe. The omission of Dakota clay traditions from local pottery narratives is a cultural injury that deserves remediation. Inspired by the recognition and ongoing rematriation of He Mni Can, Bitsy is committing their residency to bringing greater awareness to He Mni Can pottery practices through work in community.

Explore your creativity and experiment with different materials! Use a combination of acrylic ink, watercolor, and wax-resist techniques to create stunning floral paintings. Acrylic ink is a versatile medium that allows for bold and vibrant colors, while watercolor provides a softer and more delicate touch. Wax resistance is a technique where wax is applied to the paper before the paint, creating a unique texture and visual interest. Learn to use these different materials and techniques to create beautiful floral compositions. You will have the opportunity to experiment with color, texture, and layering to create a unique piece of art. Join us and let your creativity bloom!

This class is offered through Red Wing Community Education.

Two hours of instructor-supported Wheel or Hand-building Clay Work! Take a turn on the pottery wheel after a short demo by the instructor OR choose to work on a hand building project. We will have example projects or come with your own idea!

Paint your creation with colorful underglazes or the instructor can glaze your work for you. Work is fired in our kiln and ready for pick up in 2-3 weeks.

Level: No experience needed. Age 5+ for Wheel, Age 2+ for Hand building Projects

Class Size: Limit 5 participants per 2HR session for Wheel, Up to 8 for Hand building Projects

Participation fee: $60 per person / $50 Member (price includes firing of 2 Pieces) with discount code FALL10 at checkout