The Art Center

Classes

All current Art Center classes are held at The Art Center, located at 1515 Jersey St in Quincy, IL. If you have questions about our classes or registration, please call The Art Center at 217-223-5900 or email Director of Education, Rachel Roundtree at rroundtree@quincyartcenter.org .

Wednesday Night Wheel-Throwing!

$53 Non-members | $45 Members
Meets: every other Wednesday evening
Available Dates: October 4, October 18, November 1, November 15, November 29, December 13
Time: 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Registration Deadline: Always the Saturday prior at midnight
Age requirement: 15+

Class Description: Don’t have time for a full clay course but want to experience the potter’s wheel? Join us for this exciting one-night clay wheel-throwing experience at Quincy Art Center! Students will receive thirty minutes of instruction for how to throw on the pottery wheel. Afterwards, students will have up to two hours of independent work time on the wheel with the assistance of our qualified in-house instructor. Each student will receive two pounds of stoneware clay to throw on the wheel in half-pound portions. If you manage to throw a pot successfully during your session, we’ll fire the first one for free! Come try your hand at this artform and get a little messy with us! No experience needed.

If you’d like to fire more than one piece, prices start at $8.00 per clay vessel after the first one. Restrictions apply. Please email rroundtree@quincyartcenter.org for more details.

NOTE: Due to the drying and firing requirements of clay, glazing is not included in Wednesday Night Wheel-Throwing; this event is for clay experimentation and learning only. Please contact Rachel Roundtree, Director of Education, at rroundtree@quincyartcenter.org or click on the Open Studio tab to make an appointment for one of our Drop-In Glazing Days if you are interested in glazing your fired pieces. All clay vessels intended for firing must have been created during a QAC clay class or Wednesday Night Wheel-Throwing session in order to qualify for firing. No outside clay or glazes allowed. NO EXCEPTIONS.

We cannot guarantee that you will successfully wheel-throw a pot during this session. You are not required to keep everything you make.

K-2nd Grade Clay (6-week)

Instructor: Elizabeth Swick
$76 Non-Members | $65 Members
Mondays weekly, 3:30pm – 5:00pm
October 2, 6, 16, 23, 30, November 6
(Note: the second session of class takes place on October 6, a Friday, to make up for the holiday on October 9; all other sessions are weekly on Mondays.)
Registration Deadline: September 30

K-2nd grade students will learn how to roll, pinch, and sculpt clay to make fun characters and functional works of art! Projects include animal sculptures, cups, coasters, and beads for necklaces. Come prepared to get messy!

Learning objectives: fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and creative thinking and exploration.

Maximum number of students: 15

3rd-5th Grade Clay (6-week)

Instructor: Elizabeth Swick
$81 Non-Members | $69 Members
Tuesdays weekly, 3:30pm – 5:00pm
October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, November 7
Registration Deadline: September 30

Add your personality to sculptural and functional clay pieces that you will want to keep around forever! From decorative bowls to silly character cups, this class has it all. 

Learning objectives: fine motor control, spatial awareness, and creative problem solving.

Maximum number of students: 15

6th-8th Grade Clay (6-week)

Instructor: Elizabeth Swick
$86 Non-Members | $73 Members
Wednesdays weekly, 3:30pm – 5:00pm
October 4, 11, 18, 25, November 1, 8
Registration Deadline: September 30

Learn hand-building skills and the trial and errors of the potter’s wheel! In this six-week class, students will focus on mastering radial symmetry and balance in their artworks to create functional vessels. Projects include bowls, cups, hand-built slab containers, and jewelry dishes. 

Learning objectives: spatial awareness, mindfulness, hand-eye coordination, and kinesthetic balance. 

Maximum number of students: 8

The Basics of Knitting (4-week)

Instructor: Carol Clay Mann
$80 Non-Members | $68 Members
Wednesdays weekly, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
October 4, 11, 18, 25
Registration Deadline: September 30

Knitting has been described as the new yoga—and it can be relaxing with an encouraging teacher! Join us for this four-week class that will meet the needs of those who have never tried knitting and those who maybe tried and didn’t get it. We will explore and discuss methods of casting on, knitting, purling, and the way different yarn and tools can be used throughout the knitting process. Beginners and intermediate knitters welcome!

NOTE: Knitting class participants are invited to attend our monthly Knitting Circle on the first Saturday of every month, starting October 7. More details coming soon! 

Maximum number of students: 10

Silk Painting | Workshop

Instructor: Carol Clay Mann
$63 Non-Members | $54 Members
Saturday, October 21
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Registration Deadline: October 14

In this three-hour workshop, students will decorate three colorful silk scarves using different fabric painting techniques: wet on wet, free expressive brushwork, and the creation of clean shapes with wax resist. Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, and have your favorite colors in mind when you come. All supplies will be provided. No experience necessary.

Maximum number of students: 10

Intermediate Clay Hand Building (6-week)

Instructor: Amanda Pendergrass
$165 Non-Members | $140 Members

Thursdays, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
October 26, November 2, 9, 16, 30, December 7
Registration Deadline: October 21

Return to the wonderful world of hand building with clay! In this six-week class, students will further explore the pinch, coil, and slab methods of ceramic construction and decoration, plus learn some additional intermediate/advanced techniques to enhance their works. If you are looking to expand your knowledge of hand-built pottery, this is a great place to find your focus! Some clay experience necessary.

All students will receive one apron, one 8-count pottery tool set, and one 25-pound bag of stoneware clay to keep.

NOTE: Due to the drying and firing requirements of clay, glazing is not included in Intermediate Hand Building; this event is for clay construction and bisque firing only. This allows our instructors to maximize student work time in all six sessions. Please email rroundtree@quincyartcenter.org or click on the Open Studio tab to independently schedule a Drop-In Glazing Day in our studio if you are interested in glazing your bisque-fired pieces from this class. Prices for glazing start at $8.00 per clay vessel. Restrictions apply.

Maximum number of students: 12

Silk Painting | November 18

Instructor: Carol Clay Mann
$63 Non-Members | $54 Members
Saturday, November 18
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Registration Deadline: November 11

In this three-hour workshop, students will decorate three colorful silk scarves using different fabric painting techniques: wet on wet, free expressive brushwork, and the creation of clean shapes with wax resist. Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, and have your favorite colors in mind when you come. All supplies will be provided. No experience necessary.

Maximum number of students: 10

K-2nd Grade Printmaking (3-week)

Instructor: Elizabeth Swick
$49 Non-Members | $42 Members
Mondays weekly, 3:30pm – 5:00pm
November 27, December 4, 11
Registration Deadline: November 25

Make beautiful one-of-a-kind prints your parents will want to frame! In this three week class, K-2nd grade students will learn how to create their own Pop Art prints, foam block prints, stamps, and prints that incorporate items from both outdoors and indoors. 

Maximum number of students: 15

3rd-5th Grade Printmaking (3-week)

Instructor: Elizabeth Swick
$54 Non-Members | $46 Members
Tuesdays weekly, 3:30pm – 5:00pm
November 28, December 5, 12
Registration Deadline: November 25

Learn about the repetitive process and patterns involved in printmaking as we make blocks, tiles, stamps, and more! Projects include Warhol-style foam prints, tile prints, stamp-making, nature printing, and personal stamp printing.

Maximum number of students: 15

6th-8th Grade Printmaking (3-week)

Instructor: Elizabeth Swick
$59 Non-Members | $50 Members
Wednesdays weekly, 3:30pm – 5:00pm
November 29, December 6, 13
Registration Deadline: November 25

In this 3-week printmaking class, 6th-8th grade students will make unique works of art you will want to print over and over again to share with friends and family! Projects include intermediate tile printing, personalized stamp-making, and double/triple reduction foam block prints. As a bonus, all students will get an introduction to the process of silkscreening!

Maximum number of students: 15

K-2nd Grade Clay (6-week)

Instructor: Elizabeth Swick
$76 Non-Members | $65 Members
Mondays weekly, 3:30pm – 5:00pm
October 2, 6, 16, 23, 30, November 6
(Note: the second session of class takes place on October 6, a Friday, to make up for the holiday on October 9; all other sessions are weekly on Mondays.)
Registration Deadline: September 30

K-2nd grade students will learn how to roll, pinch, and sculpt clay to make fun characters and functional works of art! Projects include animal sculptures, cups, coasters, and beads for necklaces. Come prepared to get messy!

Learning objectives: fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and creative thinking and exploration.

Maximum number of students: 15

3rd-5th Grade Clay (6-week)

Instructor: Elizabeth Swick
$81 Non-Members | $69 Members
Tuesdays weekly, 3:30pm – 5:00pm
October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, November 7
Registration Deadline: September 30

Add your personality to sculptural and functional clay pieces that you will want to keep around forever! From decorative bowls to silly character cups, this class has it all. 

Learning objectives: fine motor control, spatial awareness, and creative problem solving.

Maximum number of students: 15

6th-8th Grade Clay (6-week)

Instructor: Elizabeth Swick
$86 Non-Members | $73 Members
Wednesdays weekly, 3:30pm – 5:00pm
October 4, 11, 18, 25, November 1, 8
Registration Deadline: September 30

Learn hand-building skills and the trial and errors of the potter’s wheel! In this six-week class, students will focus on mastering radial symmetry and balance in their artworks to create functional vessels. Projects include bowls, cups, hand-built slab containers, and jewelry dishes. 

Learning objectives: spatial awareness, mindfulness, hand-eye coordination, and kinesthetic balance. 

Maximum number of students: 8

K-2nd Grade Printmaking (3-week)

Instructor: Elizabeth Swick
$49 Non-Members | $42 Members
Mondays weekly, 3:30pm – 5:00pm
November 27, December 4, 11
Registration Deadline: November 25

Make beautiful one-of-a-kind prints your parents will want to frame! In this three week class, K-2nd grade students will learn how to create their own Pop Art prints, foam block prints, stamps, and prints that incorporate items from both outdoors and indoors. 

Maximum number of students: 15

3rd-5th Grade Printmaking (3-week)

Instructor: Elizabeth Swick
$54 Non-Members | $46 Members
Tuesdays weekly, 3:30pm – 5:00pm
November 28, December 5, 12
Registration Deadline: November 25

Learn about the repetitive process and patterns involved in printmaking as we make blocks, tiles, stamps, and more! Projects include Warhol-style foam prints, tile prints, stamp-making, nature printing, and personal stamp printing.

Maximum number of students: 15

6th-8th Grade Printmaking (3-week)

Instructor: Elizabeth Swick
$59 Non-Members | $50 Members
Wednesdays weekly, 3:30pm – 5:00pm
November 29, December 6, 13
Registration Deadline: November 25

In this 3-week printmaking class, 6th-8th grade students will make unique works of art you will want to print over and over again to share with friends and family! Projects include intermediate tile printing, personalized stamp-making, and double/triple reduction foam block prints. As a bonus, all students will get an introduction to the process of silkscreening!

Maximum number of students: 15

The Basics of Knitting (4-week)

Instructor: Carol Clay Mann
$80 Non-Members | $68 Members
Wednesdays weekly, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
October 4, 11, 18, 25
Registration Deadline: September 30

Knitting has been described as the new yoga—and it can be relaxing with an encouraging teacher! Join us for this four-week class that will meet the needs of those who have never tried knitting and those who maybe tried and didn’t get it. We will explore and discuss methods of casting on, knitting, purling, and the way different yarn and tools can be used throughout the knitting process. Beginners and intermediate knitters welcome!

NOTE: Knitting class participants are invited to attend our monthly Knitting Circle on the first Saturday of every month, starting October 7. More details coming soon! 

Maximum number of students: 10

Silk Painting | Workshop

Instructor: Carol Clay Mann
$63 Non-Members | $54 Members
Saturday, October 21
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Registration Deadline: October 14

In this three-hour workshop, students will decorate three colorful silk scarves using different fabric painting techniques: wet on wet, free expressive brushwork, and the creation of clean shapes with wax resist. Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, and have your favorite colors in mind when you come. All supplies will be provided. No experience necessary.

Maximum number of students: 10

Intermediate Clay Hand Building (6-week)

Instructor: Amanda Pendergrass
$165 Non-Members | $140 Members

Thursdays, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
October 26, November 2, 9, 16, 30, December 7
Registration Deadline: October 21

Return to the wonderful world of hand building with clay! In this six-week class, students will further explore the pinch, coil, and slab methods of ceramic construction and decoration, plus learn some additional intermediate/advanced techniques to enhance their works. If you are looking to expand your knowledge of hand-built pottery, this is a great place to find your focus! Some clay experience necessary.

All students will receive one apron, one 8-count pottery tool set, and one 25-pound bag of stoneware clay to keep.

NOTE: Due to the drying and firing requirements of clay, glazing is not included in Intermediate Hand Building; this event is for clay construction and bisque firing only. This allows our instructors to maximize student work time in all six sessions. Please email rroundtree@quincyartcenter.org or click on the Open Studio tab to independently schedule a Drop-In Glazing Day in our studio if you are interested in glazing your bisque-fired pieces from this class. Prices for glazing start at $8.00 per clay vessel. Restrictions apply.

Maximum number of students: 12

Silk Painting | November 18

Instructor: Carol Clay Mann
$63 Non-Members | $54 Members
Saturday, November 18
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Registration Deadline: November 11

In this three-hour workshop, students will decorate three colorful silk scarves using different fabric painting techniques: wet on wet, free expressive brushwork, and the creation of clean shapes with wax resist. Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, and have your favorite colors in mind when you come. All supplies will be provided. No experience necessary.

Maximum number of students: 10

Wednesday Night Wheel-Throwing!

$53 Non-members | $45 Members
Meets: every other Wednesday evening
Available Dates: October 4, October 18, November 1, November 15, November 29, December 13
Time: 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Registration Deadline: Always the Saturday prior at midnight
Age requirement: 15+

Class Description: Don’t have time for a full clay course but want to experience the potter’s wheel? Join us for this exciting one-night clay wheel-throwing experience at Quincy Art Center! Students will receive thirty minutes of instruction for how to throw on the pottery wheel. Afterwards, students will have up to two hours of independent work time on the wheel with the assistance of our qualified in-house instructor. Each student will receive two pounds of stoneware clay to throw on the wheel in half-pound portions. If you manage to throw a pot successfully during your session, we’ll fire the first one for free! Come try your hand at this artform and get a little messy with us! No experience needed.

If you’d like to fire more than one piece, prices start at $8.00 per clay vessel after the first one. Restrictions apply. Please email rroundtree@quincyartcenter.org for more details.

NOTE: Due to the drying and firing requirements of clay, glazing is not included in Wednesday Night Wheel-Throwing; this event is for clay experimentation and learning only. Please contact Rachel Roundtree, Director of Education, at rroundtree@quincyartcenter.org or click on the Open Studio tab to make an appointment for one of our Drop-In Glazing Days if you are interested in glazing your fired pieces. All clay vessels intended for firing must have been created during a QAC clay class or Wednesday Night Wheel-Throwing session in order to qualify for firing. No outside clay or glazes allowed. NO EXCEPTIONS.

We cannot guarantee that you will successfully wheel-throw a pot during this session. You are not required to keep everything you make.

K-12 Scholarships

The Art Center offers a scholarship program for children 18 years and younger who are in financial need. Scholarships are awarded to students yearly and cover 1 class or workshop during the course of that year. The scholarship covers 100% of the price of the class, including art supplies. To receive a scholarship, please fill out a Scholarship Application Form below and submit it to the the Art Center.

College Student Discount

The Art Center is offering 50% off of all adult classes for any currently enrolled college students now – Dec. 2023! Students who want to receive this discount must fill out the application linked in the button below and submit it to Director of Education, Rachel Roundtree, at rroundtree@quincyartcenter.org

Photo Release Policy

I understand that by registering myself or my child for class, I grant full permission to the Art Center to either use my or my child’s photograph, name, and/or likeness in any publication or advertising materials (printed and electronic, including, but not limited to, brochures, Facebook, Instagram, web content, etc.). I also waive all rights of privacy or compensation to which I may have in connection with the use of my or my child’s photograph, name, and/or likeness. If I do not give consent, I will submit notice in writing to the Art Center before the first class.

Code of Conduct

The Art Center and its employees reserve the right to remove participants from classes in cases of disruptive behavior, repeated insubordination toward a teacher or student, or other forms of misbehavior that negatively impact the classroom experience. For the first infraction, the student will receive an official warning from staff. If misbehavior continues, the parent/guardian will be informed of the child’s disruption personally by the Director of Education. Upon a third infraction, the student will be removed from the class entirely, and a refund may be given to the registrant based on the number of classes completed. If 75% or more of the class has been completed when a student is removed, no refund will be issued.