Clay Arts Guild

This week in Bruno’s throwing and altering class: throwing a large bowl.
Bruno started with 6 pounds of B-Mix. He wedged, coned and centered the clay. After opening and compressing the bottom he used a variety of hand positions to pull up the clay. He started with a claw, then knuckle, paw 🐾 and finally a soft chamois. He encouraged us to use a chamois to both pull and “mop” the clay, making sure the clay didn’t get oversaturated.

Bruno Kar
Center for Community Arts

This week’s demo in Bruno Kark’s throwing and altering class: adding the lid and “ears” to the water pot. The lugs on an Iga ware vase are called “ears” (耳付 , mimitsuki). Vases tend to be made out of rough clay, sometimes with tiny white stones added.
Bruno demonstrates how and where to add the ears to add both an aesthetic and practical element to the pot.
Thank you to Linda Goren for the photos
Bruno Kark
Center for Community Arts

This week in Bruno Kark’s throwing and altering class: a tea ceremony water pot.
This demo was a tribute to IsesakiJun (20 February 1936 – 11 July 2026) who was a Japanese ceramic artist and potter. A graduate of Okayama University, his works ranged from traditional tea ceramics to modern sculptures. In 2004, he was designated a National Treasure for his works.

Bruno Kark
Center for Community Arts

Thrown and altered pieces with Bruno Kark. Demo: altering a large bottomless cylinder to create a one of a kind Ikebana vase.
Bruno Kark

Center for Community Arts

Friday’s demo in Bruno Kark’s throwing and Altering class: coil throwing. Bruno wanted us to learn another way to throw a bottomless cylinder. These cylinders will later be pressed into oval shapes and altered to make stunning Ikebana -style flower arranging vases.
Bruno Kark
Center for Community Arts

This week in Bruno’s Altered Wheel Throwing with Handbuilt Parts, he showed us how to make a large bottomless cylinder. This will later be altered to create an Ikebana flower arranging vessel.
Some important tips:
•Wedge the clay thoroughly
•wipe the bat down on both sides
•flatten it securely to the bat with a mallet
• Hit the clay consistently while the wheel is turning
•open up the clay slowly so it doesn’t shear off
•pull up the clay as vertically as possible
• Use as little water as possible.
Can’t wait for the next phase!
Bruno Kark

Art and Wine in Walnut Creek sale will be open both Saturday and Sunday (Sat. 12-8pm and Sun. 12-6pm)
We are at booth 108 West, on the lawn near the CAG studio
Have you bought your fathers’ day gift yet? 😊

Results: Meals on Wheels - Glazing@
Hello Makers!
I want to share that the first few pieces of our 200 have come out of the kiln looking great! The rest will be fired as space allows in the kiln.
Thanks so much for being a part of this wonder endeavor for seniors who participate in Meals on Wheels programs.
Cheers,
Barbara

This week in Ellen’s hand building class:
Patchwork slab building.
Ellen started by applying texture to 1/4”slabs. She used various techniques and tools to create interest and movement. She then cut pieces at an angle, alternating shapes and patterns. She used a tall metal bowl (wrapped in plastic) as her drape mold. She covered the bowl carefully scoring and slipping every piece. When the clay stiffened up, she removed her piece off the bowl. She is planning on adding a strip of clay all along the rim, making holes for drainage , as well as holes on the rim. She might add sprigs or other embellishments to finish this hanging planter.

Save the date! June 6&7 (Sat. @12-8pm and Sunday@12-6pm) we will have a booth (on the lawn in front of our studio). Join us for a fun weekend at the Art and Wine Festival in Walnut Creek.