Professional Crafts
Western Piedmont Community College’s Professional Crafts programs offer unique opportunities for expressing your creativity. Our programs offer studio practice along with guidance for running an arts business. Whether you are a professional artist or someone wanting to explore a new hobby, a variety of course options are available to give opportunities in sculpture, pottery, and woodworking on our campus.
We invite you to learn more about our offerings below.
WPCC’s Studio Facilities
Students in our professional crafts classes have access to state-of-the-art facilities in which to practice their work. Wood-turning machines, pottery kilns, wheels, and other tools are available to assist in bringing ideas to life.
Curriculum Classes
Come join us at WPCC for some fantastic courses offered in Professional Crafts. For current and upcoming classes, please visit the Class Schedules page.
Professional Crafts Continuing Education Courses
Professional Crafts instructors also offer opportunities for specialized learning through WPCC Continuing Education. These courses are non-credit and focus on specific topics. To get more information, select a class name on the calendar. You will be presented with a course description and a link to register online. To see class offerings in future months, click the Next button or choose the month name and hit the “Go” button.
Events in June 2017–May 2018
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- Ceramic Wall Art - All Levels
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Ceramic Wall Art - All LevelsRostan Building1001 Burkemont AvenueMorganton, NC 28655USAClass Date: 6/1/17 - 7/20/17, Thursday
Cost: $125
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: WPCC Rostan Building, Rostan 1
Class Section Number: 52189In this class, students will create ceramic wall décor. Utilizing hand building techniques that include coiling and slab building, an emphasis will be placed on surface decoration. Students will select from an assortment of clay and glazes and learn how to apply various surface treatments. Upon completion, students will create tiles, wall pockets and much more. This class is open to all levels. Tools may be purchased in the WPCC bookstore.
Instructor: Debra Zimmerman
Functional Hand Built Pottery–
Functional Hand Built PotteryRostan Building1001 Burkemont AvenueMorganton, NC 28655USAClass Date: 6/1/17 - 7/20/17, Thursday
Cost: $150
Time: 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: WPCC Rostan Building, Rostan 1
Class Section Number: 52188Students will utilize hand building techniques such as slab, drape, and coil to create bowls, cups, and plates. Students will select from an assortment of clay and glazes and learn how to apply various surface treatments such as overglaze and maiolica. This class is open to all levels of ceramic students. Tools may be purchased in the WPCC bookstore. Upon completion, students will create a five place setting dinnerware set. All levels welcome!
Instructor: Debra Zimmerman
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- Introduction to Blacksmithing Fundamentals of Forging I
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Introduction to Blacksmithing Fundamentals of Forging IC Building1001 Burkemont AvenueMorganton, NC 28655USADates: 6/06-6/15 T,Th
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: $150
Location: RHC 007
Section: 52252Limit Class Size to 8
Introduction to Blacksmithing: Fundamentals of Forging I & II
Forging steel is a physically and mentally rewarding experience! In this class, students will learn the basics of forging hot metal, while creating a functional item for use in the home, cabin, or camp. Students will learn shop and machine safety, basic tooling, and the fundamentals of tapers, scrolls, hooks, twisting, upsetting, and much more. Students will complete a cumulative project, if time allows, forge their own creations. All levels welcome!
Students will learn to forge various decorative and joinery elements at the anvil. At the completion of the class, the student will have an understanding of blacksmithing, a working knowledge of a safe hand forging technique and a ring with a collection of forged elements representing the skills.
Signing Up for a Personal Enrichment Class
Continuing Education classes offered through our Workforce and Professional Development Division, have a pre-registration policy, with the exception of Fire/Rescue, EMT/EMS, Law Enforcement, HRD and CTP program areas. You must register and pay any registration fees two business days/48 business hours prior to the start date of the class. For example, if the class starts on Monday, the last day to register is Thursday. For information, please contact our Records and Registration Department at (828) 448-6046.
You may register via the following methods:
- Online (click the button below)
- Walk-in registration held on Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. in Hildebrand Hall, Main Campus; or
- Download and Fax the Registration-Form. Our fax number is (828) 448-6179.
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- Free Demonstration - Going Big: Guide to Making Large Wheel Thrown Pots for Wood firing
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Free Demonstration - Going Big: Guide to Making Large Wheel Thrown Pots for Wood firingJ Building1001 Burkemont AvenueMorganton, NC 28655USADate: June 8th
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Classroom: WPCC Rostan Building, Room 1
Instructor: Andrew Stephenson
Cost: Free Demonstration, a part of the North Carolina Wood firing pre-conferenceGoing Big: Guide to Making Large Wheel Thrown Pots for Wood firing is a free demonstration open to the public. Stephenson will demonstrate a range of techniques to create large scale jars for atmospheric kilns. Please bring a dish for lunchtime potluck. For more information, contact the Professional Crafts Coordinator, Courtney Long, clong@wpcc.edu, 828-448-3552.
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- Wood Turning: Wide Rimmed Bowls
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Wood Turning: Wide Rimmed BowlsJ Building1001 Burkemont AvenueMorganton, NC 28655USAClass Date: 6/20/17 - 6/22/17, Tuesday, Thursday
Cost: $50
Limited to 5 Students
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: WPCC Building J, Room J 20
Class Section Number: 52190This class will cover lathe safety and proper use of turning tools. Wood selection and finishing will be covered. Students will get hands-on turning experience while creating wide rimmed wood bowls. Techniques learned will be used to expand to other areas of turning. Tools and wood provided. Beginner/All levels welcome. Food safe finishes will be discussed.
Instructor: Pam Dergins
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- Introduction to Blacksmithing Fundamentals of Forging II
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Introduction to Blacksmithing Fundamentals of Forging IIC Building1001 Burkemont AvenueMorganton, NC 28655USADates: 7/11- 7/27
Time: T, Th 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: $175
Location: RHC 007
Section: 52254Limit Class Size to 8
Introduction to Blacksmithing: Fundamentals of Forging I & II
Forging steel is a physically and mentally rewarding experience! In this class, students will learn the basics of forging hot metal, while creating a functional item for use in the home, cabin, or camp. Students will learn shop and machine safety, basic tooling, and the fundamentals of tapers, scrolls, hooks, twisting, upsetting, and much more. Students will complete a cumulative project, if time allows, forge their own creations. All levels welcome!
Students will learn to forge various decorative and joinery elements at the anvil. At the completion of the class, the student will have an understanding of blacksmithing, a working knowledge of a safe hand forging technique and a ring with a collection of forged elements representing the skills.
Signing Up for a Personal Enrichment Class
Continuing Education classes offered through our Workforce and Professional Development Division, have a pre-registration policy, with the exception of Fire/Rescue, EMT/EMS, Law Enforcement, HRD and CTP program areas. You must register and pay any registration fees two business days/48 business hours prior to the start date of the class. For example, if the class starts on Monday, the last day to register is Thursday. For information, please contact our Records and Registration Department at (828) 448-6046.
You may register via the following methods:
- Online (click the button below)
- Walk-in registration held on Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. in Hildebrand Hall, Main Campus; or
- Download and Fax the Registration-Form. Our fax number is (828) 448-6179.
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- Wood Turning Plates
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Wood Turning PlatesJ Building1001 Burkemont AvenueMorganton, NC 28655USAClass Date: 7/18/17 - 7/20/17, Tuesday, Thursday
Cost: $50
Limited to 5 Students
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: WPCC Building J, Room J 20
Class Section Number: 52191This class will cover lathe safety and proper use of turning tools. Wood selection and finishing will be covered. Students will get hands-on turning experience while creating plates. Techniques learned will be used to expand to other areas of turning. Tools and wood provided. Beginner/All levels welcome. Food safe finishes will be discussed.
Instructor: Pam Dergins
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- Weekend Blacksmithing: Fundamentals of Forging
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Weekend Blacksmithing: Fundamentals of ForgingC Building1001 Burkemont AvenueMorganton, NC 28655USADates: 7/21- 7/23
Times:
Friday 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (one hour for lunch 12 - 1)
Sunday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Cost: $125
Location: C110
Section: 52255Limit Class Size to 8
Weekend Blacksmithing: Fundamentals of Forging
In this 3 week class, students will refine skills used in forging hot metal, while creating a functional item for use in the home, cabin, or camp. Students will learn shop and machine safety, basic tooling, and practice fundamentals of tapers, scrolls, hooks, twisting, upsetting, and much more. Students will complete a cumulative project, if time allows, forge their own creations. All levels welcome!
Students will learn to forge various decorative and joinery elements at the anvil. At the completion of the class, the student will have an understanding of blacksmithing, a working knowledge of a safe hand forging technique and a ring with a collection of forged elements representing the skills. Instructor: Josh Cooper
Signing Up for a Personal Enrichment Class
Continuing Education classes offered through our Workforce and Professional Development Division, have a pre-registration policy, with the exception of Fire/Rescue, EMT/EMS, Law Enforcement, HRD and CTP program areas. You must register and pay any registration fees two business days/48 business hours prior to the start date of the class. For example, if the class starts on Monday, the last day to register is Thursday. For information, please contact our Records and Registration Department at (828) 448-6046.
You may register via the following methods:
- Online (click the button below)
- Walk-in registration held on Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. in Hildebrand Hall, Main Campus; or
- Download and Fax the Registration-Form. Our fax number is (828) 448-6179.
Categories
The Professional Crafts Programs at WPCC
Western Piedmont Community College offers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates in three areas:
Clay
WPCC offers the following studies in clay:
Wood
WPCC offers the following studies in wood:
Get More Information
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