Ceramic classes taking shape in Richford

Ceramic classes taking shape in Richford

Christmas samples.

Ceramic classes taking shape in Richford

Pictured, if Laura McFadden painting.

Ceramic classes taking shape in Richford

Pictured, is the Monday morning class.

Ceramic classes taking shape in Richford

Pictured, is the Thursday evening class.

Usually when you think of bisque, you think of a soup. As ceramics artist Laura McFadden explained, though, bisque is also a name for fired clay. McFadden, the owner of Old House Ceramics on Route 38 in Richford, sells ceramics – including bisque – but she also offers ceramics classes that have been growing in popularity.

The classes are offered three times a week for up to eight students at a time. Before the classes, McFadden makes the greenware – the unfired clay – by shaping it using molds. Then, she said, “[The students] clean the greenware — which has the seams from the mold – and then I fire it and then they’re ready to paint. They don’t pour the molds – I don’t have a big enough shop for that.”

The classes are offered on Monday morning from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Monday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. Currently, McFadden said, the Monday morning classes are full and there is one slot open in the Monday evening classes. The Thursday evening classes are a recent addition due to the popularity of the other two classes.

Affordably priced, the classes at Old House Ceramics are just $3 per session, although students must also pay for whatever bisque they use. Regarding the bisque prices, McFadden said, “You can get pieces from a dollar on up to whatever.”

Old House Ceramics opened its doors 35 years ago, although for many years McFadden also worked at the Ithaca Gun Company. McFadden originally got interested in ceramics as a result of neighborhood classes much like her own. She said, “There used to be a woman up the road who started a class. She went out of business; but in ’72 or ’73 I took her class.” From there, McFadden continued exploring ceramics on her own, eventually starting her own studio and offering classes starting in 1979.

Aside from the class offerings, Old House Ceramics also sells ceramics, both greenware and bisque. Dealers tend to buy greenware, although some instructors buy greenware to resell it to their students who can fire and paint it like McFadden’s students do.

Old House Ceramics is open for business Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information about classes or to sign up, call 657-2588.

Ceramic classes taking shape in Richford

Laura McFadden cleans greenware.