Learn the art of hand ceramics at a Chenango Arts Council workshop series led by Esperanza Roncero. Classes will be held on September 8, 9, 15, and 16, and October 6. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH — The Chenango Arts Council is offering a workshop series on sculpting, firing, painting, and glazing hand ceramics. Classes will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on September 8, 9, 15, and 16, with a final class to glaze pieces at 6 p.m. on October 6.

"It's going to be one day right after the other to work with your clay and make your pieces two weeks in a row, and then the clay needs to dry out and get fired for the first time, and then you glaze it and fire it again," explained Chenango Arts Council Administrative Assistant Mary Beth Miller.

The classes are taught by retired professor Esperanza Roncero, who has taught ceramics classes at the Chenango Arts Council in the past.

"It’s hand ceramics so you’re kind of hand-working with things, and there’s a few fun projects, and she also teaches you how to paint your ceramics and glaze them and things," said Miller. "I know that lots of people in the last session she offered, they really had a great time and made some really beautiful pieces."

Miller said individuals can choose from a variety of projects, including both practical items such as plates and display pieces such as decorative wall hangings.

The workshop series is $95 for Chenango Arts Council members and $100 for non-members. All supplies will be included. To register, visit ChenangoArts.org.

The workshops are open to individuals with all levels of experience in ceramics.

"[Don't] be afraid just because you've never tried it before, because it’s a class that is open to beginners but also it’s engaging enough for people who have done a lot of ceramics as well," said Miller. "It’s really a lot of fun. You can make some really beautiful things, and you learn about glazing and painting and the whole process. So definitely don’t be afraid to check it out."

Miller advised participants should be prepared to get messy, and wear clothing that can get dirty.

Additionally, she said although the class consists of five sessions, any participants who would like to work on their pieces more or can't make it to one or more of the classes may set up a time with the Arts Council to come in and work on their pieces on their own.

"The last class we had for people, if they couldn't make the glazing or something like that we coordinated with it so they could come in and do that in their own time. Or maybe if they wanted to do a little extra work on their piece or something like that," she explained. "They can just work that out with us and we would make sure that they would be able to do that."

This workshop series was made possible in part by support from the Roger Follett Foundation.

For more information on the Chenango Arts Council, visit ChenangoArts.org or the Chenango Arts Council Facebook page.