Experience Level: Beginner, no prior experience needed

Wednesday March 4, 6-8:30pm (1 session)

Ages 18+ (Please contact us at dsegerstrom@paramountarts.org if you have a younger student interested in participating)

This is the perfect class for your first time exploring the pottery wheel! Get a feel for working with clay as you create a very simple vessel, with the full guidance of your instructor every step of the way!

This sampler class will touch on several topics including centering your clay on the wheel, pulling walls, creating  simple forms, and glazing.

Students will create a small simple cylinder and will underglaze paint their own designs and colors!

All materials included to create up to two pieces

*Please note that work created in this class will need to air dry and then be fired a kiln, a process that may take three to four weeks total.

The Paramount will send an email when work is ready to be collected!

Experience Level: Introductory, No prior experience needed

Friday March 6, 6-9pm, Saturday March 7, 9am-4pm, & Sunday March 8, 9am-12pm (3 sessions)

Ages 18+ 

Marquetry is a process of creating pictures in wood using thin veneers of many species: The veneers are cut and taped together, then glued down to a background material.

Don teaches the full marquetry process for creating pictures with veneers using the packet method.

Through demonstrations, one-on-one guidance, and hands-on practice, students learn to select a design, choose veneers, sand shade, assemble and cut the design, glue, press and clean-up.

We will also demonstrate double-bevel marquetry

Materials are included in the cost of tuition, a tool list will be provided closer to the start of class

Experience Level: Beginner, no prior experience needed

Saturday March 7, 10am-3pm (1 session)

Ages 18+ (Please contact us at dsegerstrom@paramountarts.org if you have a younger student interested in participating) 

Explore the exciting world of fused glass, as Ruth shows you how to create a simple, yet beautiful, tabletop sun catcher. Explore the basic steps of safely cutting and arranging glass into your own unique designs and patterns!

All materials to create one suncatcher included.

Experience Level: Beginner; no prior experience required

Saturday March 7, 10am-3pm (1 session) 

Ages 18+ (Please contact us at dsegerstrom@paramountarts.org if you have a younger student interested in participating) 

Explore the beautiful art of Pysanky, the Ukrainian tradition of egg dyeing. Using techniques and patterns she learned from her Grandmother, Laurie will guide the you through the process of creating your own eggs! Each student will have the opportunity to consider several designs and four eggs to either create in class or finish at home using the skills you develop in class!

All materials included in the cost of tuition! 

Experience Level: Intermediate, some prior experience needed

Monday March 9, 6-9pm (1 session)

Ages 18+ (Please contact us at dsegerstrom@paramountarts.org if you have a younger student interested in participating) 

Learn to safely make a beautiful decorative mushroom on the wood lathe, using a variety of tools. Students will learns steps ti find success while shaping their piece and will have the option to leave a natural edge finish on their project. 

This class is designed for those with some prior experience, please join us for an beginner level class if you need an introduction to the lathe!

All materials to create this project included in the cost of tuition 

Experience Level: Beginner, no prior experience required! 

Every Other Tuesday March 10-April 7, 6-9pm (3 Class Sessions)

Ages 18+ (Please contact us at dsegerstrom@paramountarts.org if you have a younger student interested in participating)

Create a beautiful ceramic flower, that is in bloom all year round! This introductory course is a fun way to explore the art of handbuilding, as Laurie guides you through the studio and how to safely use equipment, as well as a variety of techniques to create texture and decorate your piece!

Materials to create one flower are included in the cost of tuition 

Experience Level: Beginner, no prior experience needed

Tuesdays March 10-April 14, 6-8:00pm (6 sessions)

Ages 18+ (Please contact us at dsegerstrom@paramountarts.org if you have a younger student interested in participating)

Learn fundamental lapidary equipment, tools, & processes from expert and author Jim Magnuson. Learn to safely use basic lapidary equipment and operations to shape, polish, and set to jewelry.

It is recommended, but not required, that participants acquire and review Gemstone Tumbling, Cutting, Drilling & Cabochon Making. This book can be purchased online at Amazon or Barnes & Noble websites, and they may be available at your local bookseller.

What to Bring For Lapidary Workshop:

Working type clothes – i.e. jeans & work-shirt, ball-cap or other lightweight hat, (you will get a light amount of oil or water spray from some of the machines – but it washes out easily)

Agates or other gemstones at home you want to polish or make jewelry with.

Masks and Protective Eyewear, the instructor will have some K-95 masks and protective eye goggles/ glasses available.

Instructor Provided Gemstones

· Lake Superior Agates

· African Botswana Agates

· Teepee Canyon Agates

· Crazy Lace Agate Slabs

· Plume Agate Slabs

· Miscellaneous other Rocks & Slabs

Prohibited Gemstones:

Toxicity:Malachite, …

·Value and Hardness/ Softness: Turquoise, …

Places for Students to Acquire Gemstones

· Minnesota Lapidary Supply – Store in Princeton, Minnesota

· Kingsley North – online

· The Gem Shop - online

Jim Magnuson Biography
For author Jim Magnuson—rock hounding is a serious and rewarding avocation that helps him connect with nature. He has been an avid hunter and student of various gems, minerals and fossils since his childhood. In addition, Jim enjoys sharing his passion through showing and gifting some of his finds, and through writing, another lifelong interest. And, Jim enjoys making and selling jewelry, and both rough and polished stones.

Throughout Jim’s career as a computer professional, he developed technical writing skills while creating new processes that reduce complexity and improve efficiency. These skills proved to be invaluable when writing guidebooks for beginning agate hunters, and beginner-to intermediate lapidary hobbyists. Jim is a member of several rock and mineral clubs that help him to further his knowledge about agates, gemstones and geology.

To date Jim has authored the following publications: The Storied Agate; The Fairburn Agate of the Black Hills; Agate Hunting Made Easy; Lake Superior Agates – Identify Agates & Imposters (Laminated Field Guide); Emma’s First Agate; Gemstone Tumbling, Cutting, Drilling, & Cabochon Making, Rockhounding & Prospecting – Upper Midwest

Experience Level: Beginner, no prior experience needed

Wednesdays March 11-April 8, 10am-12:30pm(No class April 1, 4 sessions total)

Ages 18+ (Please contact us at dsegerstrom@paramountarts.org if you have a younger student interested in participating)

Experience the exciting world of pottery in this introductory course, perfect for those new to clay and people looking for a refresher!

This class will focus specifically on throwing basic cylinders, the foundation for a variety of ceramic projects!

Class will include a focus on wedging, centering, pulling walls, creating basic cylinders, and an introduction to decorating with cone 6 electric glazes.

Materials list for Paramount Ceramics Classes

1.) Basic Pottery Tool Kit, including:

-Needle Tool

-Wire Tool (for cutting & removing pots from the wheel)

-Wooden Kidney Tool

-Trim Tool

*Tool kits may be purchased at the Paramount or local art supply stores

2.) Item(s) for creating texture

3.) Lock for your locker

4.) Clay: Your first bag of clay is included in the cost of tuition, but depending on the size and number of pieces you create you may need to purchase more. We have a variety to choose from, ranging in price from $15-$35 for a 25 pound bag.