CERAMICS DEPARTMENT
The ceramic arts program at Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art offers the largest and most diversified community studio setting in 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 (must book 2-3 months in advance)
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 museum for pricing information (private workshops must be booked at least 2 months in advance).
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. The throwing room and glaze room are open during normal museum hours as long as there is not a class going on in those rooms. Class schedules change on a quarterly basis. Check with the museum for exact available open studio times.
Daily cost: $8 per day, this includes access to the wheel room and glaze room
Monthly cost: There is a $60 monthly charge. Lockers and shelving available for additional rental fee.
Kiln Fees: Firings are a separate cost based on size and number of pieces.*
*There is no member discount on any firing costs.
SALES & SERVICES
Clay Costs
Firing Services
Full Kiln Load Costs
CLAY COST
Archie Bray clays are available for purchase through the museum gift shop. Contact the museum for pricing and availability.
Museum members save 10% on clay purchases.
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
Booking: To book your kiln firing please contact the Interim Education Manager, Graham Kerwin at graham@the-square.org. Kiln firing forms are in the hallway by the greenware and glazeware shelves. 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 (11): 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 graham@the-square.org