The Studio

The CarwileDodson Studio, opened in April 2004, is located in a renovated mill building next door to Mud Dabbers Pottery & Crafts. Both buildings were built in 1922. The studio is equipped with nineelectric wheels, one being a handicap-accessible wheel. Hand-building equipment includes a slab roller and two extruders. Stoneware clay will be used in the classes; it will be fired in an electric oxidation kiln to cone 6.

3621 Greenville Hwy 
(Next to Mud Dabbers Pottery)
PO Box 1162
Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 884-5771 or 
(828) 884-5131

 Course Schedule

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced potter, our classes are designed for everyone. Experienced instructors will work with you to reach individual goals.

Registration is required.

A 50% deposit is required at the time of registration to hold a space in extended classes, workshops and summer camps

Winter/Spring 2012 Classes

One-Day Pottery Workshops with Wendy Elwell from 1-4 p.m.
Learn some tricks of the trade and watch Wendy Elwell demonstrate some tried and true techniques.
Cost per participant:  $10/each

January 7 – Covered Forms
February 11 – Mugs and Objects with Handles
March 31 – Bowl Forms

Independent Study with Kim Skeen

Feb. 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23 & 26 – Cost: $105
April 1, 5, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26 & 29 – Cost: $105

This course is open to former Carwile-Dodson Studio students who have completed a multi-week course at our studio with instructor approval.  This is a non-instructional studio time for experienced students to continue creating with clay.  Students participating in the Independent Study Studio Time will be allowed to use the studio two days a week.  Thursdays from 6 – 9 p.m.
Sundays from 2-6 p.m.

Beginning Wheel Throwing with Wendy Elwell

This five-day class will be held March 12-15 and 23 from 6-9 p.m.  This course is geared toward the novice potter and is recreational in nature.  Students will learn about the properties of clay and beginning wheel-throwing techniques.  Students will learn how to transform basic cylinders into a variety of forms for both function and fun.  Students will be given the opportunity to watch demonstrations, ask questions and then practice at their own pace.  All levels of experience are welcome.   Cost per participant: $125.00

Handbuilt Earthenware with Mary Murray

This five-day class will be held May 7-10 and 18 from 6 – 8 p.m.  In this class students will learn how to make lanterns both large and small out of earthenware clay by piercing and cutting the surface to create a multitude of designs from simple to intricate that will dance when illuminated by a candle.  All levels of experience are welcome.  Cost per participant:$100.00.

Intermediate Wheel Throwing with Wendy Elwell

This five-day class will be held January 9-12 and 20 from 6-9 pm.  This class is designed to help beginning wheel throwers fine-tune and expand their skills while examining form and function. Students will learn how to collar in and expand forms while throwing, and create lidded vessels and goblets.  Using tools to help with compression, consistency and design will be discussed.  Students will review glazing basics and learn how to use wax resists and stains to create surface decorations.  Students should be familiar with basic throwing techniques and have some experience on the wheel.  The ability to center is a must. Cost per participant: $125.00

One-Time Classes

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Please register by noon, the Friday before the class is offered.
Participants will be notified if a class does not make, the Friday before it is scheduled to run.
There is a 3-person minimum for a class to run.

Family Clay Day

9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Learn the basics and have some fun! All ages and experience levels welcome.
Cost: $40 per person
ALL CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT.

January 21 – Valentine’s Gifts

February 18 – Personalized Mugs & Bowls

March 10 – Yard Art

April 28 – Mother’s Day Gifts

May 12 – Toadstools & Fairy Houses

May 26 – Father’s Day Gifts

Try Pottery for a Night

Learn the basics and have some fun playing in the mud!
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Adults Only
Cost:$40 per person

January 21 – Hand-building

February 18 – Wheel-throwing

March 10 – Hand-building

April 28 – Wheel-throwing

May 12 – Hand-building

May 26 – Wheel-throwing

Pottery created during the One-Time Classes will be available for pick up in three weeks. The cost of these classes includes clay, glazing, firing, and processing. We do our best to take care of pottery as it goes through its journey. However, even experienced potters lose pieces in the process.
Shipping is available for one-time classes for an additional cost. There is a $5 handling fee (per participant) plus the cost of shipping.

Private and Group Instruction

Hold a pottery party, organize a fun family outing or gather a group of friends at our studio. We will provide an instructor and all the materials. You provide the theme, celebration and the participants. We can customize classes to meet your specific needs and interests. Time, date and cost (depending on number of participants, type of project(s), and length of time) to be arranged. Fun for children and adults alike! Call for details.
Please notify the studio at least a week in advance so arrangements can be made;
There is a two-hour minimum per session or party.
Private Instruction Rates:
1 to 2 people- $35 per hour (each).
3 to 4 people- $30 per hour (each).
5 or more- $25 per hour (each).
Fees

Clay is NOT included in the price of classes.
A 25 lb. bag of clay is $20.  Glazing and firing costs are included in the cost of each bag of clay.  Community tools are available in the studio for student use.  Personal tool kits may be purchased for $14.

A 50% registration fee is required to reserve a space in all extended classes and workshops.

Cancellation Policies
For one to four- week classes, workshops and one-time classes:
50% deposit will be forfeited with less than one week’s notice by participant.

Class fees can be paid by cash, check, or charge.
Please make all checks payable to Carwile-Dodson Studio.

Instructors

Denise Byrd is a potter/artist and studio apprentice. She majored in art and lives life creatively.

John E. Dodson is a second generation potter whose work ethic and style have been influenced by his father, John O. Dodson and Georgia traditional potter, D.X. Gordy. He has taken classes at Arrowmont School of Crafts, Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts and John C. Campbell Folk School, where he teaches regularly.

Wendy Elwell has bachelor degrees in sculpture and ceramics, with minors in drawing and design from Western Michigan University, and a master in education with an emphasis in ceramics and art history from Illinois State University and WMU. She has taught high school arts and crafts and has operated BernWell Pottery with husband, Dennis Bern, in Etowah. Wendy, now retired, enjoys teaching workshops and classes.

Ali Holroyd Lien is a studio apprentice and has been playing in the clay for over four years. She has a Masters Degree in Education from Prescott University and teaches Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education at Brevard College.

Mary W. Murray has been a production potter in Transylvania County since 1978. She studied art at Brevard College, attended the Atlanta School of Art, and has taken classes at Arrowmont School of Crafts. Mary also has taught pottery at Brevard College.

Kim Skeen has a BS from Appalachian State in Experiential Education and has been working with children for over a decade.