CERAMICS DEPARTMENT
The ceramic arts program at Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art offers the largest and most diversified community studio setting within 150 miles of Great Falls. Options for participation include classes, public/private workshops, open studio, and kiln firing services for regional artists and organizations.
The museum’s education department also offers ceramics program internships, independent studies, and an artist residency year round. These programs focus on building artistic and technical knowledge in the field: offered to undergraduate students and beyond.
STUDIO ACCESS
Classes & Workshops
Private Group Workshops
Open Studio
CERAMICS CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Quarterly classes for K-12th grade, and adults (ages 14+).
Quarterly classes for persons with special needs.
For adults taking an advanced or beginning class, we have additional shelving available if you do not want to use an available locker.
Please check the respective sections under the education tab for current class listings.
PRIVATE GROUP WORKSHOPS
Single-session workshops provide students the opportunity to use the potter’s wheel, hand build works in clay or a combination of the two.
All ages and ability levels welcome. Class limited to 10 persons. If you are interested in coordinating a private workshop, please call the museum at 406.727.8255.
If you are interested in coordinating a private workshop, please contact the Director of Education, Ellie Weber, for cost and coordinating.
OPEN STUDIO
The ceramics wheel room and kiln/glaze room are open to the public for a small fee, without instructor, but the individual must have ceramics experience. Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm (Tuesday’s 10am-9pm), Saturday’s 10am-3pm. During class time, which varies, please ask the instructor if you can work in the room with their class.
Daily cost: $8 per day, this includes access to the wheel room and glaze room
Monthly cost: There is a $60 monthly charge. This monthly fee includes 2 shelves for storage of your materials and work.
Kiln Fees: Firings are a separate cost based on size and number of pieces.*
*There is no member discount on any firing costs.
Note: if you are a student taking on-going classes, you may keep your locker between classes, if you have signed up and paid for your upcoming class.
SALES & SERVICES
Clay Costs
Firing Services
Full Kiln Load Costs
CLAY COST
A-Clay: $18 for 25lbs (half a box) or $36 for 50lbs (full box)
Wally’s: $18 for 25lbs (half a box) or $36 for 50lbs (full box)
ABF Stoneware: $18 for 25lbs (half a box) or $36 for 50lbs (full box)
Large electric kiln: $65 for full kiln load
FIRING SERVICES*
Regional artists, schools and community organizations are welcome to fire ware in museum kilns. Please call one month in advance to inquire about firing schedules. Responsibilities include loading, unloading kilns and participating in firing as needed.
Glaze Fire Cost: If you are not taking classes, or are in-between class sessions
Firings are based on size and number of pieces.
*There is no member discount on any firing costs.
COST FOR FULL KILN LOADS
Small electric kiln: $30 for full kiln load of glazeware
Medium electric kiln: $40 for full kiln load of glazeware
Large electric kiln: $65 for full kiln load
Note: You can share the kiln with another person and split the cost. Please pay for your firing at the front desk.
Booking: To book your kiln firing please contact the Education Assistant, Rob Kellenbeck. Kiln firing forms are in the kiln room on a clipboard, next to the sink. Please fill the form out and place next to your work
Rules: Please do not load or unload kilns, or fire the kilns. This is for staff only. Please do not make glazes without discussion with instructor first. Please put all your materials away after you use them. Sweep and mop around your work area, and clean table surfaces. Finished work must be picked-up and taken home within 3 weeks of the firing, or it may be discarded at discretion of staff.
EQUIPMENT & INVENTORY
Pottery Equipment
Kiln Overview
Glaze Overview
POTTERY & HAND BUILDING EQUIPMENT OVERVIEW
Electric Potter’s Wheels (10): Brent, Creative Industries, and Thomas Stewart models.
Table Top Potter’s Wheels (2): Amaco models. (wheel chair accessible!)
North Star Slab Roller
North Star Clay Extruder
Slump Molds & Hump Molds
KILN OVERVIEW
Electric Kilns: LG Kiln: (Skutt 1227); Med Kiln: (Skutt 1027); Sm Kiln; (Skutt 8/8); and Sm Kiln: (Paragon AA-88)
Gas Kiln: 40 cu. ft. downdraft
Raku Kiln: 15 cu. ft. front loader
GLAZE INVENTORY
Mid-range electric, cone ten (high-fire), raku glazes and slips available for studio use. Fully stocked glaze chemical inventory available for artists to work with. Costs determined on a case by case basis for testing and mixing glazes.
Intern with The Ceramics Department
Ceramics Department Internship
Semester internships are available to college students with the option of credit depending on the higher education institution. This is an excellent opportunity for students to get a full working knowledge on how to run a ceramics studio.
Projects vary, but students will leave with in depth knowledge of technical ceramics materials and processes, and pre-student teaching classroom experience for education majors.
Knowledge gained from this internship includes:
Glaze Chemistry & Mixing
Making Clay
Kiln Loading and Firing
Teaching Assistance
General studio and equipment maintenance
Internships are available for spring, summer, and fall semesters.
Apply by emailing current cover letter and resume to ellie@the-square.org