Christmas in July: Pottery Gift Workshop

Beat the holiday rush and get a head start on your handmade gifting!

Why wait until December to feel the festive spirit? Join us for a relaxed, creative "Christmas in July" clay session. This beginner-friendly workshop is designed for those who want to create thoughtful, ceramic gifts without the frantic pace of the traditional holiday season.

What to Expect

In this two-part workshop, you’ll learn the fundamentals of hand-building with clay. Whether you want to craft custom ornaments, trinket dishes, or festive decor items, we’ll guide you through the process step-by-step.

Session 1: We’ll spend 1.5 hours sculpting and shaping your raw clay into unique holiday treasures.
Session 2: Return one week later to add a splash of color! You’ll learn glazing techniques to give your pieces a professional, kiln-fired finish.

Class Details

Ages: 12 to Adult (Perfect for a parent-teen outing!)
Skill Level: Absolute Beginner — no experience required.
The Perk: By the time the snow starts to fall, your gifts will be fired, glazed, and ready to wrap!

Katie Schmitt

Katie Schmitt is an artist who has experience teaching engaging classes and camps at art museums, galleries, and community organizations in Minnesota and North Dakota.

She has a BA in Studio Art and Art History at Gustavus Adolphus College. During college she studied abroad in Florence, Italy. She began working in the arts at the Plains Art Museum in Fargo, ND where she led education programs for youth and adults. After returning to southeastern Minnesota, she continued to work in the arts and non-profits, including the Rochester Arts Center, Girl Scouts, Southeast Service Cooperative, and teaching at the annual Young Authors, Young Artists conferences.

Katie loves designing, painting, laser-cutting, crafting, and ceramics. As a teaching artist, she focuses on the process of making and provides opportunities to explore creativity and multi-disciplinary connections with her students.

Katie works in Community Education at Byron Public Schools.

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