Hand Building in Clay: Obnoxious Ornaments
Adult Class | Registration opens 8/5/2026 9:00 AM MDT
If you have the "Bah Humbug" spirit, join us and express those sentiments by creating obnoxious holiday ornaments. Using cookie cutters, kitschy press molds and letter stamps, you too can get out your holiday frustrations. The focus in the first class will be to create the ornaments in clay and add some color with under glazes. We will skip a week for firing and then come back and finish with stains, more under glaze and glaze. Folks who ARE in the holiday spirit are also welcome!
Advanced class. If you are uncertain if your skills fit, please contact the instructor through the Art Students League.
- This class meets on two days, 11/7 and 11/21, no class on 11/14 to allow work to be bisque fired.
Prior hand-building experience is required.
Clay:
Each class includes a materials fee which covers the cost of firing and glazing. In addition to this fee, students will need to purchase clay through the Registration Office at ASLD, which must be done in person. Clay costs are $20 for 25lbs of stoneware, $25 for 25lbs of porcelain. Please only purchase clay from ASLD, unless approved by the studio manager. No low-fire clays may be used at ASLD.
Tools:
Community tools are available for student use, in exception of a small sponge. If you prefer personal tools, a basic ceramics tool kit, small sponges and large clean up sponges are available for purchase at the Registration Office.
Other supplies:
Students are encouraged to wear clothes that can get dirty to ceramics class, including close-toed shoes. We also recommend bringing an apron and a towel.
Please review the ceramics studio policies before attending the first class: CERAMICS STUDIO POLICIES
- Local Ceramic supply stores:
- Rocky Mountain Clay 1220 W 1st Ave, Denver, CO 80223
Continental Clay 5303 East 47th Ave., Denver, CO 80216
Stoneleaf Pottery 6611 W 58th Pl, Arvada, CO 80003
Meiningers 499 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Gayla Lemke
Gayla Lemke has been an active studio artist in the Denver area for many years. She received a B.F.A. from the University of Hawaii and an M.A. from the University of South Florida, majoring in printmaking. Since moving to Colorado, her focus has changed to ceramic sculpture. Working with clay, she has explored figurative, abstract and installation work. In each of these areas, Gayla incorporates a skill at draftsmanship into her work with carving and attention to surface treatment. She often uses other materials, objects and text to tell a story, be it literal or symbolic. Gayla’s work has evolved over the years from personal narrative to include more universal, social and political themes. She is a long time member of Edge Gallery, presently located in the 40West Art District.
View Gayla's Website