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FREE; Visiting Artist Talk with Chicago Ceramicist Emily Schroeder Willis
About the Workshop to Follow:
In this two-day workshop, we will explore the art of creating simple ceramic forms that serve as vessels to capture elements of the landscape around us. The first day will focus on building simple forms, using coil and pinch techniques to craft a variety of shapes. On the second day participants are welcome to bring in materials that hold special significance, which we will recreate in clay and use as surface decoration for the forms created on the previous day. We will explore the work of historical artists like Bernard Palissy and contemporary artists like Kim Dickey, who draw inspiration from their surroundings. This workshop is for all skill levels – no previous ceramic experience is required.
Lecturer / Instructor
Emily Schroder Willis
Emily is an artist and Associate Professor, Adjunct at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She holds a BFA from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and an MFA from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Growing up in Minnesota, Emily was deeply influenced by Japanese mingei traditions and the cultural heritage of her mother’s Mennonite upbringing. Currently, her work engages with the history and symbolism of historical vessels as a way to explore and reimagine the pictorial landscape.
Location
Schedule
Friday, August 8
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
This Session
August 8, 2025 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Experience Level
All Levels, Beginning, Intermediate and AdvancedAges
Adults, Teens 17+
Class FAQ
We ask that you notify us at least 10 days in advance of a class if you need to cancel your registration. You may cancel by phone or email and we will gladly offer you a refund or credit toward a future class. If you cancel with less than 10 days’ notice, we will not be able to provide refunds, due to our contractual obligations and material purchases for each class.
Sometimes, the Sonoma Community Center has to cancel a class due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or health emergency. If this happens and we do not offer a reschedule date, you will be refunded 100% of your registration fee (minus the payment processing and services fee), or credit towards a future class. If we are able to offer a reschedule date but you are unable to make the new date, we will gladly offer credit towards a future class.
All credits must be used within 1 year.
You can view our full class policies and guidelines here.
The Sonoma Community Center is committed to creating an accessible learning environment. If you require any special considerations(medical, physical, learning) please share them with Sean Baskin, Program Associate, by emailing him at [email protected] so that he can forward them to the relevant Program Director and Instructor.
Late additions to any program, class, or workshop that has already begun will be allowed on a per-case basis depending upon the Program Director & instructors approval. Late additions will have to pay the full registration cost of the class, along with any materials fees, and will not be prorated for the time missed. You may reach out to the program directors directly, or the Program Associate Sean Baskin at [email protected] to request a late addition.
We are always looking for new instructors. You can fill out the form directly here.
