THE CERAMICS STUDIO
In our spacious ceramics studio, you’ll find potter’s wheels, electric and gas kilns, and plenty of table room for sculpture, hand building, glazing and decorating. The studio opens out onto a large paved courtyard that is often used for outdoor firing techniques like raku, hosehair and obvara. Classes and workshops are offered in all of the above. Wheels are available during Open Studio hours. 20 hours of Open Studio time a week is included with any of the 6-week adult classes. Kiln space is available for rental.
Classes & Workshops
Studio Events
The Ceramics Studio hosts special exhibits, workshops with visiting instructors, and fundraising events throughout the year. The Annual Cup Show accepts submissions starting in March each year, with the exhibit opening in June.
Open Studio
Mondays 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Wednesdays 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Thursdays 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Fridays 10:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Saturdays 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Punchcards: 1 punch = 1 hour
$35 for a punch card (10 sessions per card)
$5/session without a punch card
Punch cards may be purchased in our Gallery Gift Shop
If you haven’t taken a class at the J before and want to attend Open Studio, please submit your name, phone number, and a brief description of your ceramics background to ceramics@jansenartcenter.org.
Kiln Rental
Kiln space is available for rental. It is $10/cubic foot for a cone 6 reduction firing. Price includes glaze & bisque firing
Clay must be purchased from the Jansen Art Center. Cost is $23/bag.
Student Work
The ceramics program has drawn an enthusiastic community of ceramic artists to the J, welcoming new participants of all skill levels. Some examples of student work pictured above.
“I have been a ceramic student at the J for over two years and absolutely love the place. I have taken a variety of classes, taught by Jesse Rasmussen, and use the many hours of open studio time each week that is generously given to the students. The atmosphere in the studio is very welcoming with plenty of space to work and many other students to help with ideas and to give encouragement when needed. I really can’t recommend the Jansen Art Center enough. It’s my second home.” – JTaylor
Instructors
The Jansen Art Center is excited to serve as a teaching space for artists. Our instructors are passionate about engaging the community in the arts.


Trisha Dawn Coggins enjoys the Art of Life and has a true appreciation for helping others to see the world through their own creative eyes. With inspiration from nature, texture, light, movement, and music, she seeks to capture the essence of life in each moment. Her mediums are photography, sculpture, drawing, painting, fashion, and interior design.

Nicole is a certified teacher who spends her days teaching special education in Bellingham. She also spends time in her home studio where she creates wheel thrown and handbuilt forms. Her work is rooted in an exploration of natural forms and texture and increasingly focuses on the small joys we can build into our own homes, through the vessels we surround ourselves with. She is thankful for the opportunity to combine her two passions (teaching and clay) in her work teaching ceramics classes at the Jansen.

Ruth Hesse brings a printmaker’s sensibility to her newfound love of ceramics.
After 20 years of mostly solitary time spent in her printmaking studio, Ruth is enjoying the friendly community of the Jansen Art Center ceramic studio.
Ruth’s monotype prints can be found in hotels, restaurants, businesses and homes throughout Washington state, as well as at Karla Matzke Gallery on Camano Island.

PAM FREDBACK
I loved mud pies as a kid and it stuck! Have worked in ceramics since the early 70’s, have participated in several arts and craft shows, displayed at the Burien Art Gallery, Sea-Tac Airport teapot display, Third Runaway Potters Shoes with other studio artists and at Crow Valley Pottery.
Organic combined with a whimsical feel are the inspirations behind my one of a kind handbuilt pottery pieces. Warm earthy colors along with interesting textures complete most of my work. The garden pieces, fruits, veggies, boxes, and other items invite you to decorate indoors or outside.