Parent drivers are needed for fieldtrips, which may leave early morning. Justin Thayer, B.A. in Biology from UC Santa Cruz, is a science teacher at Salmon Creek Middle School and graduated from and taught at Analy High School in Sebastopol. His field research work included the study of the Northern Elephant Seal populations. We make functional and sculptural pieces using a variety of handbuilding techniques including slab, pinch and coil methods. Projects include introduction to the wheel, animal pots, baskets, vases, bookends, house construction and night lights.
Students learn glazing, painting, burnishing, applique and incising.
Participate in the primitive art of pit and raku firing on the last day. Individual student interest and attention determine what work emerges. He is the founding director of Pottery at the Center, Sonoma Community Center. He has also taught after school enrichment classes through the Sonoma Valley Unified School District and has devoted himself to ceramic education for 35 years. Come and explore the nature and mystery of chemicals and how they affect us and our environment.