Art Classes and Workshops
My experience as an educator runs deep. In California I owned my own art academy and I have decades of experience teaching classical art making skills in drawing and painting to students of all ages and levels. I also hold a Masters Degree in Education from NNU. Currently I create my own, hand-built ceramic sculptures at Catalyst Arts Collaborative's Boise (Idaho, USA) location. The Catalyst community embraced me as an instructor and I am excited to share my hand-building skills with students in a beginner-friendly way. My mentor in ceramics, Casey Gurr, is a beloved local ceramics instructor and artist with decades of professional experience himself.
Current Classes
This is a list of my hand building classes with descriptions and links to register directly on the Catalyst Arts Collaborative Website. Please note: I cannot accept registrations or payments through my website or alternative methods. You need to register directly via Catalyst Arts Collaborative's secure payment and booking system as linked to each class description below.
If you need more information or accommodations not mentioned here or on the Catalyst website, please email Catalyst Arts Collaborative at catalystarts.office@gmail.com.
Google Map location of classroom: 6427 W Ustick Rd, Boise, ID 83704
Please note: Images shown below are examples of finished projects by Avianne. These sculptures have been glazed*. Your sculpture can be glazed differently and will not be an exact replica of the examples shown. *Glazing is a separate project and not included as part of this class. A separate glazing class 2 weeks after clay-completion with Avianne is recommended under the guidance of Casey Gurr - details for specifically booking a glazing class with Casey will be provided in class. Do not book a glazing session right now to avoid time-sensitive and instructor conflicts.
Nature Hand-building
Hand-building is a sculptural approach in ceramics where the artist or student builds by hand. It does not involve wheel-throwing or modern technologies such as 3D printing. Traditionally, it is an ancient method of working by hand in natural clay with some basic tools to create a fine art or functional art piece intended for firing.
Fine art is created primarily for aesthetic, expressive, or conceptual purposes, while functional art also serves a practical use. My focus is on fine art.
Since our class times are limited to individual 2-hour sessions, I cannot create elaborate projects with students. Therefore, each class will consist of a small, attainable project with a nature theme such as a flower or an animal. In each class, students will learn how to construct the piece using sound ceramic techniques, increasing its chances of surviving drying and firing successfully. It is important to not only make a "pretty project" but to learn how to make projects structurally sound so they have a better chance of surviving through the kiln.
Individual Class Listings and Registration Links
Studio clay and all necessary classroom tools are provided for use during class and are included in the workshop fee.
Each $40 workshop is a separate, stand-alone class. Students may register for a single class or for multiple classes on different dates, but each date (class) requires its own registration. If you have registration-related questions, contact Catalyst Arts Collaborative
Class 1 - Build a Bird
In this class you will learn the following skills:
- How form and technique works in basic clay-sculptural approaches
- How to construct a small ceramic bird sculpture
- How to successfully develop form and structure in clay
- How to add project-appropriate surface details
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Registration: Do not wait. Space is limited to 8 students only.
Time: 3 - 5 PM (suggested arrival time: 2:50 PM)
Price: $40.00 per student
Recommended for ages 10+ (beginning and intermediate level)
Other: Please wear practical clothes. Long nails, excessive jewelry, or long, untied hair can hamper the student experience and the project success. Please do not bring outside clay or tools as the project is not set-up to accommodate such variables.
Class 2 - Build a Bunny
In this class you will learn the following skills:
- How form and technique works in basic clay-sculptural approaches
- How to construct a small ceramic bunny sculpture
- How to successfully develop form and structure in clay
- How to add project-appropriate surface details
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Registration: Do not wait. Space is limited to 8 students only.
Time: 3 - 5 PM (suggested arrival time: 2:50 PM)
Price: $40.00 per student
Recommended for ages 10+ (beginning and intermediate level)
Other:
Please wear practical clothes. Long nails, excessive jewelry, or long, untied hair can hamper the student experience and the project success. Please do not bring outside clay or tools as the project is not set-up to accommodate such variables.
Class 3 - Build a Flower
In this class you will learn the following skills:
- How form and technique works in basic clay-sculptural approaches
- How to construct a small ceramic flower sculpture
- How to successfully develop form and structure in clay
- How to add project-appropriate surface details
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Registration: Do not wait. Space is limited to 8 students only.
Time: 3 - 5 PM (suggested arrival time: 2:50 PM)
Price:
$40.00 per student
Recommended for ages 10+ (beginning and intermediate level)
Other:
Please wear practical clothes. Long nails, excessive jewelry, or long, untied hair can hamper the student experience and the project success. Please do not bring outside clay or tools as the project is not set-up to accommodate such variables.
Class 4 - Build a Woodland Relief
In this class you will learn the following skills:
- How form and technique works in basic clay-sculptural approaches
- How to construct a small ceramic woodland relief sculpture
- How to successfully develop form and structure in clay
- How to add project-appropriate surface details
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Registration: Do not wait. Space is limited to 8 students only.
Time: 3 - 5 PM (suggested arrival time: 2:50 PM)
Price:
$40.00 per student
Recommended for ages 10+ (beginning and intermediate level)
Other:
Please wear practical clothes. Long nails, excessive jewelry, or long, untied hair can hamper the student experience and the project success. Please do not bring outside clay or tools as the project is not set-up to accommodate such variables.
Class 5 - Build a Sea Turtle
In this class you will learn the following skills:
- How form and technique works in basic clay-sculptural approaches
- How to construct a small ceramic sea turtle sculpture
- How to successfully develop form and structure in clay
- How to add project-appropriate surface details
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Registration: Do not wait. Space is limited to 8 students only.
Time: 3 - 5 PM (suggested arrival time: 2:50 PM)
Price:
$40.00 per student
Recommended for ages 10+ (beginning and intermediate level)
Other:
Please wear practical clothes. Long nails, excessive jewelry, or long, untied hair can hamper the student experience and the project success. Please do not bring outside clay or tools as the project is not set-up to accommodate such variables.